How to Read Ezekiel

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The special difficulty in reading Ezekiel is the dizzying variety of forms he used to get his message across. The book is like a multimedia package-a mix of visions, messages, dramas, poems. But three remarkable visions of God bracket the package, beginning, middle, and end (1:1-3:15; 8:1-6 and 11:16-25; 40:1-4 and 43:1-9). And throughout, one line is repeated: "Then they will know that I am the LORD." All God's messages are meant to shock his people into restoring a living relationship with him.

As you read Ezekiel, note down when each prophecy was made and its dominant image-Jerusalem as a prostitute, as a spreading grapevine, as a shaved head, etc. Remember that the book of Ezekiel compresses messages God gave over 22 years. Try to imagine the impact of each message on the people who first heard or saw it.

Most of what Ezekiel said in Babylon concerned a dramatic military situation hundreds of miles away from Jerusalem. His message changed from doom to hope in chapter 33, the turning point came with news of Jerusalem's fall. You can get to know the historical situation by reading 2 Kings 23:36-25:12.

A fascinating though difficult study is the design of the renewed temple, which Ezekiel described in chapters 40-43. A commentary on Ezekiel or a Bible dictionary (under "Ezekiel" or "temple") can help immensely in understanding these visions.

People You'll Meet in Ezekiel
  • Ezekiel

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