Ezekiel

Composition

The Book of Ezekiel is an ancient text found in both the Christian and Hebrew bibles. The book is one of the four major prophetical books, setting it aside from the minor prophetical works. Traditionally, the book’s authorship is attributed to the biblical figure Ezekiel, who was active from roughly 592–570 BCE. Some traditions believe that the book was written by a group of Ezekiel’s followers who sought to record the prophet’s words and history. This group, often called the Men of the Great Assembly or the Synod, was allegedly responsible for making the final decision of the composition and order of the books in the Hebrew Bible. However, the time during which the Synod existed, as well as the group’s specific accomplishments, are matters of academic debate.

Ezekiel is commonly broken down into three sections. The first section, which includes chapters 1 through 24, deals with the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian invaders. This subject matter is also covered in other prophetic books. The second section, chapters 25 through 39, contains prophecies that contrast the fate of Israel with that of other nations. The fourth section, chapters 40 through 48, discusses the future of Israel and its temple.

At the time of the Babylonian captivity, Ezekiel was a young man. Like many of his fellow Israelites, Ezekiel was forced to travel away from Israel, settling with other exiles in a colony along the Kebar River. The Jews believe that God allowed the Babylonians to conquer Israel as a punishment for the Jewish people abandoning the sacred covenant. Their prophecies stated that one day God would forgive them, allowing the Jews to return to the promised land and rebuild their society in a better way.

Summary

The Book of Ezekiel begins with the process of Ezekiel being called to act as a prophet of Yahweh. When called by God, Ezekiel was just thirteen years old and living in a settlement of Jewish exiles within the Babylonian Empire. Ezekiel’s first vision is unlike anything he has ever experienced. He sees an indescribably complex image that symbolizes the truth of Yahweh. The vision informs Ezekiel that he is to act as a prophet of God and will be sent to the rebellious Israelites to inform them of God’s will. According to the vision, after Ezekiel’s work is completed, regardless of whether the rebellious Israelites return to their covenant with God, they will be certain that God has sent a prophet. Ezekiel was then handed a scroll, which was covered in terrible writings and told to eat it. When he eats the scroll, Ezekiel finds that it tastes sweet.

Ezekiel was tasked with informing the Jews who remained in Jerusalem during the Babylonian exile that the city would be destroyed. He was also tasked with communicating that the destruction was the will of God and explaining the reasons God sought the destruction of the city. Ezekiel carried out a variety of public acts, seeking to draw the attention of the people. He drew artwork of Jerusalem under siege on a tile, then placed that tile in a public place. He removed the furniture from his home and rationed his food, showing the people of Jerusalem that they would have to survive with less.

Ezekiel predicted that the southern kingdom, Judah, would spend just one year in foreign captivity, but the northern kingdom, Israel, would spend more than three hundred years in captivity. Ezekiel explains that the reason for these punishments is the Jewish people’s continued defiance of the holy covenant that their ancestors made with Yahweh. He notes that all such defiance must be punished to remind the Israelites that their priority should be their holy arrangement with Yahweh.

Prior to Ezekiel speaking to them, the Jewish people had broken the covenant in many ways. The covenant with Yahweh stated that he was to be the sole deity for the Jewish people, and no other deities should have a prominent place within Jewish society. Despite this, many Jews began worshipping foreign idols and gods. At the time, worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity, was common throughout Jerusalem. Worshipping Baal and other foreign idols contaminated Yahweh’s sanctuary, angering the deity.

The Jewish people believed that God resided in the holy temple in Jerusalem. The temple was of immense religious significance, as certain religious rites could only take place there. Therefore, the contamination of the temple through the displeasure of God was a serious accusation. However, the Israelites pointed out that the temple was destroyed by an invasion, not God. Ezekiel explains that the temple was destroyed in the invasion because of God’s will. He asserts that Yahweh must have abandoned the temple, because no temple housing the spirit of God could be destroyed by an invading army.

After explaining the fall of the temple, Ezekiel discusses the fate of nations other than Israel. He states that God has informed him that all nations are subject to Yahweh’s laws, not just Israel. However, these nations refuse to acknowledge God’s authority, which has angered him and will result in their destruction. However, other nations do not share Israel’s unique bond with God and will receive no mercy. Ezekiel notes that Israel’s punishments are intended to restore the Jewish people to Yahweh’s will. The destruction of Jewish society will allow the people to rebuild a more holy state. In contrast, the destruction that God releases on other nations is not intended to cause eventual reformation. Instead, these nations will receive none of the mercy granted to the people of Israel and will simply be destroyed.

Ezekiel also prophecies that the people of Israel and Judah will be fully restored and rebuild a unified kingdom. Eventually, the nations of the world will turn against Israel, and the world’s armies will attempt to conquer the people of Jerusalem. He states that it will seem that victory is certain before Yahweh intervenes, destroying the invader’s armies and establishing Israel as the state most favored by God.

Ezekiel then describes his visions of the restored state of Israel. It will include a great temple that will be constructed in a special way to prevent its contamination. Additionally, only certain people will be allowed to enter the temple. Israel will be ruled by a high priest, but the state will be subservient to Yahweh.

Themes

One of the most common themes in Ezekiel is Israel’s betrayal of Yahweh. In the past, Yahweh designated Israel and the Jews as his chosen people, granting them a homeland and helping them survive terrible circumstances. In exchange for this, the Jewish people agreed to uphold the sacred covenant, yet they have repeatedly abandoned the covenant by worshipping other gods. They are also breaking the covenant by allowing themselves to be distracted by selfish desires and breaking sacred laws. They have even contaminated God’s sacred temple. These betrayals are pervasive throughout Jewish society and carried out by political leaders, religious leaders, and the common people. For this reason, God has decided to punish the Israelites by allowing foreign powers to tear down their society.

God’s compassionate leadership is another important theme. Though the book discusses death and destruction, God does not seek the destruction of the Jewish people. Though all other rebellious nations will eventually be purged, God intends to guide the Jewish people until they can serve as his ideal chosen people. This guidance may not be gentle but will always be conducted with their best interests in mind. Though God’s punishments will be given out to those who defy the covenant, in the end, each Israelite will be judged on his or her own merits. Additionally, Ezekiel states that people who have previously acted wickedly and rebelliously will be given clemency if they repent. God is merciful because he judges his people by the character they have developed by the end of their lives, not the mistakes they have made along the way.

Throughout the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet continues to hope for Israel’s future. He cannot be certain that the Israelites will hear and accept his messages as the word of God. Even if they do accept him as a prophet, they may not return to the covenant. However, he hopes for a restored Israel with its people living in God’s designated and having a strong relationship with their deity. He also hopes for the restoration of the line of David as kings of Israel and the destruction of Israel’s enemies. This hope fuels Ezekiel in his prophetic work, allowing him to push through the difficulties that he faces as a prophet.

Bibliography

“An Introduction to the Book of Ezekiel.” Bible.org, 2022, bible.org/article/introduction-book-ezekiel. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.

“Ezekiel: Structure, Themes, and Contested Issues.” Oxford Handbooks Online, 2016, www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199859559.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780199859559-e-11/. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.

Hirsch, Emil G., and FCornill, Karl Heinrich. “Ezekiel, Book of.” JewishEncyclopedia, 2022, www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/5952-ezekiel-book-of. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.

“Intro to Ezekiel.” The International Bible Society.” Biblica.com, 2022, www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/intro-to-ezekiel/. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.

“Religious and Theological Studies.” Loras College Library, 2022, https://library.loras.edu/c.php?g=100542&p=1075804. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.

“The Book of Ezekiel.” My Jewish Learning, 2022, www.myjewishlearning.com/article/ezekiel/. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.

“The Book of Yichezkel (Ezekiel): Full Text.” Jewish Virtual Library, 2022, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/yichezkel-ezekiel-full-text. Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.