PROPHET EZEKIEL

Ezekiel was a priest and was among the people of Jerusalem who were captured by the Babylonians and taken into exile in 597 BC.

He was a married man but his wife died during the period of exile. His wife's death was the Lord's will with a message to the people of Israel (Ezekiel 24: 15 ft).

Ezekiel received his call to be a prophet in the form of visions after living in exile for four years. From then on, the prophet continued preaching and speaking to his fellow exiled Jews on behalf of their God.

The poor and the intolerable conditions the exiled Jews found themselves in led to an outcry and the thinking that their God had forsaken them.

However, the exiled Jews believed that they were suffering innocently. They attributed their fate the sins or mistakes of their great grandfathers. For this reason, a popular proverb developed among the Israelites; "The parents ate sour grapes, But the children got the sour taste" (Ezekiel 18 :2).

In response, God raised Ezekiel from among the Jews so that he could convey his message. In the course of his ministry, the Lord forbade the people from repeating their proverb as each individual was responsible for his or deeds (Ezekiel 18:3 ff).

After his call, Ezekiel committed himself to the work of the Lord. Among others, he talked about judgement, punishment individual responsibility for sins and the theme of remnants; all of which were dramatized in his prophetic signs.

THE VISION OF GOD'S THRONE

(Ezekiel 1: 1 ft)

Ezekiel saw the vision of God when the sky opened up itself. This was as Ezekiel himself reported.

Ezekiel heard the Lord speak to him and he felt his power as the Jews had already settled in Babylon. This meant that God was intervening in order to save his people from their suffering.

Ezekiel saw a storm coming from the north towards him. This was the same route the people of Judah had used as they were being taken to exile.

Ezekiel saw light flashing from a huge cloud and the sky around it was glowing. This signified the presence and majesty of the Lord.

Ezekiel saw a bronze-like object from where the light was flashing. This also proved the presence of God.

Ezekiel saw what looked like four living creatures in human form at the centre of the storm. However, each human-like creature had four faces and four wings. This showed the uniqueness of God.

The human-like creatures had straight legs with hoofs like those of a bull; each shinning like polished bronze signifying the holiness of God.

Besides, Ezekiel saw that the creatures had four human hands, each under a wing which was spread. This meant that the Lord would protect his people.

The human-like creatures moved as a group without turning their bodies. This signified unity among the people of Judah and the end of their exile life.

Each of the living creatures had four different faces; a human face in front, a lion's face at the right, a bull's face at the left and an eagle face at the back. This signified the omnipotence of God.

Two wings of each of the creatures were raised so that they did touch the tip of the wings of the creature next it. This signified unity among the Jews.

Each creature faced all four directions so that the whole group would go into any direction they wanted. This meant that God is all seeing.

Ezekiel saw something that looked like a blazing torch which was moving constantly among the creatures. This implied the holiness of God.

Ezekiel saw four similar wheels touching the ground, one besides each of them as he was looking at the four creatures.

The rims of the wheels were covered with eyes meaning that God was watching over his people even though they were in a foreign land.

As the human-like creatures moved, the wheels moved with them. This seems to suggest that God was with his people thus proving his omnipresence.

Ezekiel saw something that looked like a dome made of dazzling crystal above the heads of the creatures signifying the purity of God.

Ezekiel heard the noise being made by the wings of the creatures sounding like the roar of the sea. This signified the omnipotence of God.

Besides, Ezekiel saw something that looked like a throne above the dome with a human like figure seated on it. This showed God as the almighty and a king.

The human like figure seemed to be shinning like a bronze in the middle of a fire and bright having all the colours of the rainbow.

Revision Questions

1.          Comment on Ezekiel's vision of the throne of the Lord.

2.          Examine the nature of God as shown in Ezekiel's vision of the Lord's throne.

3.          Explain the meaning of the vision Ezekiel experienced during his call to the Jews.

THE CALL OF EZEKIEL

(EzekieI 2:1 ff and 3:1 ff)

Ezekiel received his call to be a prophet from the Lord in the form of a vision that was later followed by a voice.

Ezekiel saw a dazzling light that had in it all the colours of the rainbow making him to fall face downwards on the ground. This proved the omnipotence of God.

Ezekiel heard a voice referring to him as "Mortal man" telling him to stand up so that he could be talked to. This signified the human nature of the people of Israel.

Ezekiel felt that the spirit of God entered him and raised him to his feet while the voice was still speaking.

The voice revealed to Ezekiel that he was being sent to the people of Israel providing the oneness of people of Israel.

God told Ezekiel that the people of Israel had rebelled, turned against him and were still rebels. This implied that the people of Israel were unrepentant.

Besides, God told Ezekiel that the people of Israel were as stubborn as their ancestors and that they lacked respect for Him.

God told Ezekiel that he was sending him to the people of Israel as the sovereign Lord thus proving his omnipotence.

The Lord told Ezekiel that whether the people would listen to him or not, they would know that a prophet had been among them. This signified God's care and love for his sinful people.

The Lord commanded Ezekiel not to be afraid of the people or of anything they would say. This was a call for the prophet to be calm.

God assured Ezekiel the people of Israel would defy and despise him and that it would be like living among scorpions. This proved God as being all knowing and it pointed towards the difficult prophetic work of Ezekiel.

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to tell the people of Israel whatever he was telling him, whether they would listen or not.

The Lord warned Ezekiel against being rebellious like the people of Israel to whom he was being sent.

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to pen his mouth and eat what he was being given. This signified God's anointing of Ezekiel to be his prophet.

Ezekiel saw a hand stretched out towards him and was holding a scroll showing the presence of the Lord.

The hand unrolled the scroll and it had writing on both sides; something which was unusual probably symbolizing Ezekiel's greater responsibility and his burden as a prophet among rebellious people

The writing on the scroll contained words of cries of grief, wails and groans. This may symbolize the bitter experience of the exiled Jews.

When God commanded Ezekiel to eat the scroll, it tasted as sweet as honey symbolizing the joy that Ezekiel would have in his new relationship with him.

The Lord told Ezekiel that he was sending him to his own people but to not a nation speaking a foreign language. This proved God's acceptance of the people of Israel as his own despite their rebelliousness.

The Lord told Ezekiel that none of the people of Israel would be willing to listen to him. They were stubborn and defiant.

However, God promised to make Ezekiel as stubborn and as tough as the people were. He would be as firm as a rock and as hard as a diamond.

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to pay close attention and remember everything he had told him and go to his country men who were in exile.

The spirit of God lifted Ezekiel up and he heard a loud roar of voice behind him praising the glory of the Lord in heaven above.

Ezekiel also heard the wings of the creatures beating together in the air and the noise of the wheels was as loud as an earthquake.

However, Ezekiel felt bitter and hungry as the power of the Lord came to him with great force and as his spirit carried him off. This pointed towards the hostility of the exiles towards the prophet.

Ezekiel went to where the exiles were living and stayed for seven days overcome by what he had seen and heard.

The Lord appeared again to Ezekiel after seven days and told him that he was being made a watchman for the nation of Israel. This meant he was given authority to speak to the people of Israel.

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to pass onto the people of Israel all the warnings he had given him. He would be held responsible for anything that would happen to the people should he fail to warn them.

Ezekiel felt the powerful presence of the Lord taking him into the valley from where he would be talked to. While at the valley, his experience was as before. He fell with his face downwards and was raised up to his feet.

The prophet was instructed to go shut himself up in the house from where he would be tied with ropes and unable to go out in public.

Besides, the Lord promised to paralyze Ezekiel's tongue so that he would be unable to warn his rebellious people. This would be until he would speak to him again.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OR MEANING OF EZEKIEL'S CALL

The event signified the presence of God among the exiles as Ezekiel saw fire, lightening and heard the voice of the Lord.

It showed the uniqueness of God proved by the human like creatures with four faces looking like a human being, a lion, a bull and an eagle.

It signified God's glory and majesty proved by the fact that there was a human like figure seated on a throne.

It showed God's protection over his own people symbolized by the flying creatures using its wings to cover their bodies.

The event showed the human nature of the people of Judah as God constantly referred to Ezekiel as "mortal man"

It signified the greatness or the omnipotence of God. His presence made Ezekiel to fall face downward on the ground.

It showed the theocratic nature of the nation of Israel. God was still in control of their affairs despite being in a foreign land.

It proved the universal nature of God as he appeared to Ezekiel who was in a foreign land.

It signified destruction and punishment for the people of Israel proved by the scrolls with words cries, wails and groans.

It proved the holiness of the people of Judah symbolized by the dazzling light that Ezekiel saw and the creatures that shone like bronze.

It proved God's unlimited power. This was shown by the human-like creature facing four directions at the same time.

It signified the omnipresence of God for Ezekiel felt his powerful presence as he was being taken to the valley where the exiles were living.

The sweetness of the scroll symbolized the joy that Ezekiel would have when relating with God in his new task as a prophet.

It showed the rebelliousness of the people of Israel. The Lord confirmed this as he told Ezekiel that the people were as stubborn and as rebellious as their ancestors.

It signified the need for repentance by the exiles proved by Lord's revelation to Ezekiel that the people would defy him.

THE PROPHETIC SIGNS OF EZEKIEL

(Message of Judgement)

Ezekiel performed a number of prophetic signs which he used to explain the future of the people of Judah and Israel and their relationship with their own God.

Most of the signs showed punishment and destruction because of the rebelliousness of the people. However, some of his signs were intended to call for repentance so that the people could be saved and restored their previous glory.

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to withdraw himself from the public and shut himself in his house. His tongue would be paralysed and unable to speak. This implied that Israel's sins were beyond forgiveness and the prophet could no longer plead for them (3 :24-27).

Ezekiel was commanded to draw a map of Jerusalem as a brick a great siege. This meant that Jerusalem would be attacked and destroyed by the enemies.

Besides, it meant God had willed that Jerusalem be besieged and destroyed because of the sins of the people.

Ezekiel was told to lie on his left side for 390 days during which the Lord would place the guilt of the nation on him. This meant that Israel would be in exile for 390 years (4:4- 6).

Ezekiel slept on the right side for 40 days during which suffered the guilt of Judah. For forty years, the people of Judah would be in exile.

Ezekiel measured out a small quantity of grains. He was only allowed 230 grammes of bread each day referring to food shortage resulting into starvation among the exiled people of Israel.

The prophet was only allowed limited amount of water to drink; only two cups a day. This implied that there would be scarcity of water for God's people.

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to build fire using dried human excrement, use it to bake bread and eat it in the presence of everyone. This meant that Israel would eat food forbidden according to their law.

However, the prophet pleaded with God that he had never defiled himself by eating unclean food. For this, he was allowed to use cow dung (4:12-13).

The Lord directed Ezekiel to use a sharp sword for shaving his head and all his hair. However, this was a sign of mourning in Israel. Therefore, it meant that there would be mourning.

Besides, it showed massive death in Jerusalem meaning that people would soon face their ruthless and fearless enemies, the Babylonians.

The prophet was instructed to weigh his hair on scales and divide it into three parts. This meant that the people of Jerusalem be divided by the Babylonians during massive destruction.

The Lord told Ezekiel to burn a third of his hair in the city of Jerusalem when the siege was over meaning that a third the people would die of sickness and hunger in the city.

Ezekiel was told to take another third of his hair and chop it up with his sword outside the city. In the same way, a third of the people would be chopped outside the city.

The prophet was told to scatter the remaining third of his hair in the air for the Lord to pursue it with his sword implying that a third of the people would be scattered everywhere but only for them to face the Lord's wrath.

However, the Lord instructed Ezekiel to keep a few of his hair in his pocket. This meant that a few people would survive God's destruction and this would be the people he would continue dealing with.

Ezekiel packed his belongings as a refugee and moved out of the house as everyone was seeing. This implied that the people would become refugees and captives in a foreign land (12:3-16).

Besides, Ezekiel dug a hole on his wall using his hands and passed through it with his belongings. This signified that the people would desperately try to escape but the Lord would trap and take them to the city of Babylon.

Ezekiel ate while trembling and shook with fear when drinking. In the same way the people of Jerusalem would tremble while eating and shake while drinking.

Besides, it meant that the Lord would strip their land bare and everyone in the cities destroyed (12: 17-20).

Ezekiel groaned as if his heart was breaking with despair as everyone was watching. In the same way, the people of Israel would groan with sorrow for the Lord had had sharpened his sword to kill them (21 :6)

The prophet danced with a sword striking it down again and again cutting wherever he turned. This meant that the people would be slaughtered and butchered everywhere.

The prophet was told to boil some meat in the pot until the bones were even burnt. This meant that the people were doomed. In this way, they would be trapped within the city and wiped out (24: 1 ff).

The Lord stopped Ezekiel from mourning for his dead wife. Just like Ezekiel, the people of Israel would not mourn for their dead ones as they would massively die (24: 15 ff).

Ezekiel sung a song of sorrow for princes of Israel and a funeral song for the people of Tyre (19: 1 ff and 27: 1 ff). This meant the people were going to be destroyed.

Ezekiel married two immoral sisters who were prostitutes and later abandoned them. In the same way God had rejected both Jerusalem and Samaria (23: 1 ff).

The prophet was ordered to mark out two roads and on them to put a sign post showing the roads leading to Jerusalem and the Amorite city of Rabbah. This meant that the people would be rescued from their exile life.

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to take a wooden stick and on it write the words "The kingdom of Judah". He was also told to take another one and write on it the "Kingdom of Israel". As he joined these two sticks together to make them appear as if they were one, Judah and Israel would reunite.

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to carry out a ritual divination to show escape routes of the king when attacked. This signified the end of exile.

Revision Questions

1.          Comment on the prophetic signs of Ezekiel.

2.          "The destruction of the Jerusalem city and its temple and the deportation of the inhabitants were not accidental". Examine the validity of the above statement with special reference to the prophetic signs of Ezekiel.

3.          How were these signs fulfilled in the history of Israel?

·                   Jerusalem was attacked and besieged for three years by the Babylonians in 586 BC

·                   During the Babylonian attack, the people were starved until they surrendered to their enemies.

·                   The Babylonians surrounded the people of Judah and destroyed their city walls killing very many people.

·                   The Jerusalem city including the temple was destroyed during the Babylonian attack.

·                   All the people of Judah were trapped out with no way of escaping from the ruthless Babylonians.

·                   Many of the people died of famine especially while in exile.

·                   The people of Jerusalem were later carried off into exile in Babylon.

·                   The people of Judah suffered from hunger and thirst while they were on their way to exile.

·                   Many of the people from Jerusalem were scattered all over different and many lands.

·                   A few people remained in Judah after the Babylonian attack although they remained weak and very poor.

·                   While the people were in exile in Babylon, they were forced to do many forbidden things like praising foreign gods.

·                   The Israelites were later brought back to their land signifying the end of the exile.

·                   Both Judah and Israel reunited and became one nation again.

CORPORATE GUILT AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SINS

(Ezekiel 18: 1 ff)

The Jews continued to live in a desperate state of hopelessness and misery while in exile in Babylon. The exiles had their old ways of life in Judah disorganized and dismantled and they had to begin new systems they were not used to.

However, the exiles misunderstood the cause of their intolerable situations. To them, the previous generations or their fore fathers were the ones to blame for their suffering. Because of this, a popular proverb developed among the exiles; "The parents ate the sour grapes But the children got the sour taste" (Ezekiel 18:2)

The following are the examples of corporate guilt that the people could have used to develop this proverb.

God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of the attempted rape by just three men on their male counterparts. This was a sin of immorality that God could not tolerate but instead of punishing only the culprits, he ended up punishing everyone in the cities (Genesis 19:23-28)

The brothers of Dinah ended up beating everyone in town because of their sister being raped by Shechem (Genesis 34:1 ff)

The daughters and sons of Achan including all their property faced the wrath of the Lord because of the sin of their father. Achan reportedly disobeyed the Lord's command and took what was forbidden during war. For his disobedience, the Lord allowed Israel to be defeated (Joshua 7: 1-26).

The Lord rejected Eli from priesthood largely because of the misconduct of his two sons; Hopni and Phinehas. The sons were scoundrels and paid no attention to the Lord or to the regulations concerning sacrifices. (1 Samuel 2: 12-36).

The descendants of King Saul were denied from the institution of kingship because of his disobedience to the Lord's command (1 Samuel 15:10 ff).

King David's adulterous life with Bathsheba made God to punish his descendants beginning with his immediate family members. The Lord had promised him that the sword would not leave his house (1 Samuel 12: 10 ff).

King Solomon's sins and unrepentant life made God (0 punish the whole kingdom of Israel. The Lord through his prophet promised Solomon that he would divide the kingdom into two and this came to be fulfilled (1 Kings 11: 11-13).

God punished the people of Israel with drought which lasted for 2-3 years because of the sins of King Ahab (1 Kings 17: Iff). 

Amos prophesied judgement and punishment on the whole family of Priest Amaziah because the priest had interfered with his prophetic work in the northern kingdom; Israel (Amos 7:10-17).

God through Jeremiah pronounced destruction on the friends and the family of priest Pashhur because the priest had mistreated him after his temple sermon (Jeremiah 20: 1 ft).

EZEKIEL'S TEACHING ON INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SIN

(His response to Israel's popular proverb of the time)

The Lord sent Ezekiel to respond to the proverb that "The parents ate the sour grapes but the children got the sour taste" which had become popular among the exiles in Babylon.

The exiled people were claiming that they were suffering because of the sins of the previous generation.

However, the Lord through Ezekiel disagreed with the people saying that they were paying for their own mistakes but not the mistakes of their parents.

The prophet declared that this proverb was never to be repeated in Israel any more with the following justification.

Ezekiel said that the life of every person belonged to the Lord be it that of the parents as well as that of the child.

Ezekiel told the exiles that the person who sinned was the one to die meaning that each individual was fully responsible for his or actions.

Ezekiel told the people that a truly good man, righteous, honest and who obeyed the Lord's commands would live and have his life saved.

Besides, the Lord would spare a good and righteous man having a wicked son. He would put the son to death because of his wickedness but not the father.

In the same way, a wicked man having a righteous son would have their fate sealed differently. The Lord would punish the father for his wickedness and reward the son for his righteousness.

The prophet continued to say that a son would not suffer for the sins of his father and likewise a father would not suffer for the sins of his son.

Ezekiel said that a good person would be rewarded for doing good and an evil person would suffer for his or her evils.

However, an evil person who stops sinning and keeps the Lord's laws would not die His sins would be forgiven and he would live for having done the right thing.

Ezekiel declared that a good person who stopped doing good and became evil would die because of his unfaithfulness and sins. None of his good deeds would be remembered.

Ezekiel said that someone evil would have his or her life spared by stopping his or her sinfulness and beginning to do what was right and good.

Ezekiel told the people of Israel that the Lord would judge each of them by what they had done. Therefore, each would be responsible for his or her actions.

Ezekiel called upon the people of Israel to turn away from all their evils in order for the Lord to spare them.

The prophet told Israel that God was not interested in their death but rather for them to turn away from their sins and live. This meant that God wanted to see his people repent.

Ezekiel proceeded to warn the people that their failure to listen would make them to be held responsible for their own sins.

Ezekiel rebuked the people of Israel for thinking that what the Lord was doing and his way was not right.

Ezekiel challenged the people of Israel whether they thought they were doing what was right before the Lord.

Ezekiel told Israel that they were the ones to blame for their suffering but not their forefathers. The Lord was only punishing them for their own sins.

He showed the Israelites that they had involved themselves in a lot of social injustices. They were robbing, killing and cheating the poor. For this matter, they deserved their punishment.

Ezekiel called upon the people of Israel to give up the evils they had been doing and get new hearts and minds. This was a call for the people to change their attitude and thinking that they were suffering because of the sins of others.

Ezekiel told the people that God was disappointed with them and had therefore appointed him as a watchman to see whether or not they would listen to him.

Ezekiel assured the people of Israel that the Lord was righteous and just and now he wanted them to be like him.

Revision Questions

1.          The parents ate the sour grapes but the children got the sour taste" Discuss Ezekiel's teaching on this proverb

2.          Discuss Ezekiel's teaching on individual responsibility for sins

3.          Examine Ezekiel's response to Israel's proverb that the parents ate the sour grapes but the children got the sour taste

EZEKIEL'S TEACHINGS ON THE SHEPHERDS (RULERS) OF ISRAEL

(Ezekiel 34: 1 ff)

Referring to Ezekiel as "Mortal man", the Lord commanded Ezekiel to denounce the rulers of Israel for what they were doing.

Ezekiel said the shepherds were doomed because they were only taking of themselves while ignoring their own flock.

Ezekiel said that the shepherd drunk milk, wore clothes made from wool and killed the finest sheep yet they never tended to them. This meant that the leaders of Israel were exploitative.

Besides, the shepherds had not taken care of the weak sheep or healed and bandaged the sick and the injured. This meant that the leaders in Israel had ignored the disadvantaged people.

In addition, the shepherds did not bring back the sheep that had wandered off or look for those that were lost. This may probably mean that the leaders had failed guide their own people.

Ezekiel said that the shepherds treated their sheep cruelly. This meant that the leaders were harsh and brutal to their own people.

Ezekiel said that the sheep had no shepherd and because of this, they were scattered all over the face of the earth.

Besides, the shepherds allowed the sheep to be killed and eaten by wild animals because they were never there for them. This showed that the rulers of Israel had exposed their people to their enemies.

Ezekiel called upon the shepherd to listen to what the Lord was about to tell them for having allowed his sheep to attacked, killed and eaten by wild animals.

Ezekiel declared that the shepherds had become the enemies of the Lord for their failure to perform their duties.

The Lord promised to take his sheep away from the shepherds. He would never let them be their shepherds again.

Ezekiel said that the Lord would never allow the shepherds to take care of only themselves as they had been doing before.

The prophet declared that the Lord would rescue his sheep from the shepherds and never again would they eat them.

Ezekiel said that the shepherds had allowed the strong and fat sheep to step on the pastures and water of the weak ones.

Ezekiel said that the shepherds were offering their services with a lot of charges. They had become materialistic at the expense of the welfare of their flock.

Revision Questions

1.          Account for Ezekiel's condemnation against the shepherds of Israel.

2.          Analyze the meaning of Ezekiel's teaching about the shepherds of Israel.

3.          Which lessons can political leaders draw from Ezekiel's teaching or condemnation?

YAHWEH AS A GOOD SHEPHERD

(Ezekiel 34: 11 ff)

Because the shepherds had failed, the Lord himself would look for sheep and take care of them just as shepherds did take care of their sheep that were scattered.

Besides, he would bring his sheep back from all the places where they were scattered on the dark disastrous day.

As a good shepherd, the Lord would take his sheep out of foreign countries, gather them together and bring them back to their own land. This signified the end of exile life for the people of Israel

God promised to lead his flock back to the mountains and the streams of Israel where he would feed them on pleasant pastures. This meant that the people of Israel would have enough to eat as a result of the Lord's blessings.

The Lord would let his sheep graze in safety in the mountains and valleys of Israel meaning that he would protect the people of Israel.

Ezekiel said that the Lord himself would be the shepherd to his sheep and find a place for them to rest.

Ezekiel said that the Lord would look for the sheep lost and bring back those that had wandered off.

As a good shepherd, the Lord promised to bandage the injured sheep and heal those that were sick.

However, the fat and the strong sheep would be destroyed because the Lord was shepherd who could only do what was right.

Ezekiel said that the Lord would judge each of his sheep and separate the good from the bad ones. Some were not satisfied from eating the best grass and could even trample on what they could not eat.

The prophet said that the Lord would rescue his sheep and never would he allow them to be ill-treated any more. This meant that God was going to protect the people of Israel.

Ezekiel said that the Lord would give his sheep a king like his servant David to be their ruler. This meant that fairness would prevail in Israel once again.

As a good shepherd, the Lord would make a new covenant with his sheep. This would guarantee their security.

God promised to get rid of all the dangerous animals in the land. In this way, his sheep could live in safety in the fields and sleep in the forests.

Yahweh would bless his sheep with showers of rain when needed. Besides, their trees would bear fruits and their fields would produce crops.

Time would come when the Lord would break his people's chains and set them free from those who had made them slaves. By doing this, they would acknowledge him as the Lord.

The Lord promised that he would give his sheep fertile fields and put to an end hunger in their land.

Ezekiel said that everyone would get to know that the Lord protects Israel as his own people. They were his sheep and he was their God.

Revision Questions

1.    Discuss the character of God as a good shepherd in Ezekiel Chapter 34

2.    How is Jesus Christ presented as a good shepherd in the New Testament?

MESSAGE OF HOPE IN EZEKIEL

Following the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and its city, the humiliating defeat of Judah and Israel, the deportation of the people in exile in Babylon the people lived in misery and lost hope for survival.

However, it was at such a critical and difficult moment that God raised Ezekiel among the people to give them message of consolation.

Ezekiel said that Judah and Israel would be restored to their previous status and once again, they would be as famous and as great as they were before.

Ezekiel prophesied that the Lord would take his people back to their own land and they would have a place to call home. This signified the end of exile.

Ezekiel said that the Lord would punish the enemies of his people. The Babylonians and the Edomites would pay for having mistreated his own people.

The prophet declared that the Lord would gather together all his scattered people and take them back to their land where they would once again cultivate their own crops.

Ezekiel assured the people that the Lord would bandage and give comfort to those who had suffered injuries.

Ezekiel told the people of Israel that Yahweh still cared for them even when they were in exile. He' called upon them to do away with the thinking and the feeling that they had been ignored.)

Ezekiel said that Yahweh would purify Israel's land and their ways of worshipping. In doing so, the people would once again honour their own God.

Ezekiel explained to the people of Israel that God only punished them because he wanted them to learn and turn back to him.

Ezekiel assured the people that the abuses and the insults from the Babylonians would eventually come to an end. The Lord was ready to defend his name against those who had called him powerless and incapable.

Ezekiel prophesied that a new nation would be created for the people of Israel. In this new nation, the people would have tender hearts.

The prophet told the people of Israel that the Lord would fill them with his spirit. This would make them to repent off their sins and they would be forgiven.

Ezekiel told the people that the Lord would no longer punish them as a community. Every individual would be responsible for his or her actions.

Ezekiel prophesied that the Lord would put to an end hunger in the land of Israel. Their fields would produce enough crops and their trees would bear fruits.

Ezekiel assured the people of Israel that they would once again live in their own cities. While in their cities, their enemies would never attack them again for the Lord was determined to give them protection.

Ezekiel assured the people that the Lord would give them a king like his servant David to be their ruler. This king would be a person of integrity and would lead the people into prosperity.

Ezekiel gave an assurance that the Jerusalem city and its temple would be rebuilt. In this way, the people would be able to practice their religious festivals once again.

Ezekiel explained to the people that God was interested in their repentance rather than see them die. Therefore, he urged them to give up with their evil ways.

Ezekiel prophesied the reunion of Judah and Israel. They would once again form one and the great nation of God as it was before.

THE VALLEY (VISION) OF DRY BONES

(Ezekiel 37: 1 ff)

In this extra ordinary vision, Ezekiel felt the powerful presence of the Lord and his spirit took him down to a valley where the ground was covered with bones. This may symbolize the people being taken to exile.

However, as the Lord led Ezekiel all round the valley, he saw that the very many bones were very dry meaning that Israel suffered greatly while in a foreign

The Lord referred to Ezekiel as "mortal man", inquiring whether it was possible for the bones to come back to life. This signified the human nature of Ezekiel.

To Ezekiel, it was the Lord who had an answer as to whether or not those bones could come back to life.

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones telling them to listen to his words as the sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel assured the dry bones that the Lord was going to put breath into them and bring them back to life meaning that God is the source or giver of life.

Ezekiel prophesied that the Lord would give the dry bones sinews and muscles, and cover them with the skin. For this, they would know him as the Lord.

Ezekiel heard a rattling noise and the dry bones began to join together. This seems to suggest the reunion of and the unity between Judah and Israel.

Ezekiel witnessed the bones being covered with sinews, muscles and with skin but without any breath in the bodies. This meant that the people of Israel were spiritually dead.

Ezekiel prophesied to the wind to come from every direction, to breathe in the dead bodies and bring them back to life. This probably meant that God was sending Ezekiel to Israel with a message of hope.

Breathe entered into the dead bodies as Ezekiel had prophesied and they all came back to life, stood up. This signified the future restoration of Israel.

Ezekiel saw that the life bodies were many enough to form an army. This meant that Israel would be able to defend herself against enemies.

The Lord brought Ezekiel to the understanding that the people of Israel were like the dry bones. They had dried up, without any hope and with no future.

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the people of Israel that he was going to open their graves as a sovereign Lord. This meant that God was determined to bring Israel out of their suffering.

Ezekiel prophesied to Israel that the Lord was going to take them back to their land. This showed that the end of exile life was near for the people of Israel.

Ezekiel prophesied that Israel would come know God as the Lord by his mighty work of opening their graves. This showed that Israel would repent and turn back to the Lord.

Ezekiel assured Israel that the Lord would put breath into them, bring them back to life and let them live in their own land.

Revision Questions

1.    Comment on Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones.

2.    Examine Ezekiel's experience in the valley of dry bones.

The significance of Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones to the exiles

It signified God as a source of life for the people of Israel therefore it was a call upon the people to turn to him.

It signified the omnipotence of God for he was able to bring back to life the dry bones.

It signified the reunion of Judah and Israel for Ezekiel saw the bones join together once again.    .

It meant that the people of Israel were spiritually dead just like the dry bones that had no life.

It signified the omnipresence of God for Ezekiel saw this vision while he was in foreign land.

It signified the end" of exile life for the people of Israel for the Lord promised Ezekiel that he would take his people back to the land.

It signified God's willingness to accept the people of Israel as his own people despite their sinfulness.

It was a call upon the people of Israel to repent off their sins and turn back to God so that they could be forgiven.

It signified the human nature of the people of Israel for the Lord referred to Ezekiel as "mortal man".

It signified life after death for the people of Israel as the dry bones came back to life in the presence of Ezekiel.

It signified the Lord's initiative to restore his relationship with his own people meaning that he was willing to reconcile with them.

It signified Ezekiel as a true prophet. Therefore, the people of Israel had to listen to whatever he was tell ing them.

It showed God's protection over the people of Israel as the bones were as many that they could form an army.

It proved Israel as a theocratic nation. The Lord showed that he was still in control of the affairs regarding their future.

The sins of Israel

•  Idol worship (6:3)

•  Pride which was at its height (7: 1 0)

•  Ate meat with blood in it

•  Murder was all over the land (9:9)

•  Committed adultery (16: 17)

•  Human sacrifices (16 :20)

•  Disrespect parents (22:7)

•  Took advantage of widows and orphans (22:7)

•  Took advantage of the foreigners

•  'Charging high interest on loans and therefore exploiting the poor

•  Disrespect of the Sabbath day

•  Telling lies

•  The leaders trusted in their own strength (22:6)

•  Eating sacrifices meant for God

•  Incest through seducing their daughter- in-laws (22: 11)

•  Made false visions (22:28)

•  Failure to listen to the prophets of God

•  Having sex with women during their periods

Ezekiel's teaching on condemnation of false Prophets

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to denounce the prophets who were working among the people of Israel.

The prophets were behaving contrary to God's requirement. By doing so, they had misled the people of God.

The prophets were accused of making their own visions or prophesy and were therefore not listening to God.

The prophets had developed their own inspiration and followed their own spirit instead of following God's spirit.

The prophets had failed to guard the crumbled walls and neither did they make an attempt to rebuild them.

Ezekiel accused the prophets of making false predictions. This had made them become lairs.

The prophets were hiding the people's sins that they were behaving like someone covering a loose wall with white wash.

Ezekiel accused the prophets of using magic to make their predictions come true.

The prophets were guilty of dishonouring and disrespecting the Lord because of material things.

The prophets killed those who did not deserve to die and instead spared those who deserved death.

The prophets had prevented evil people from giving up their wickedness and becoming clean again.

Ezekiel accused the prophet of discouraging the good people from being close to God. They instead became stumbling blocks to the people being near to their God.

The prophets were accused of getting involved in blasphemy. They had spoken ill of God and for this reason, they had become false prophets.

Ezekiel accused the prophets of encouraging social injustices among the people of Israel.

Revision Questions

1.    Justify Ezekiel's condemnation of the prophets of Israel.

2.    Account for Ezekiel's condemnation of the prophets of Israel.

3.    Why would Ezekiel condemn the prophets or reI igious leaders in Uganda?

•  Sexual immorality like rape, defilement

•  Discrimination based on status, tribes, religion

•  Exploitation of the people through over demanding of financial contributions

•  Corruption, bribery and embezzlement

•  Prejudice

•  Claiming self righteousness

•  Rivalry or conflict among themselves

•  Telling lies

•  Murder

•  Using magic or witchcraft

•  Partisan politics

•  Materialism

Relevance of the book of Ezekiel to Modern Christians

•  Should approach God with holiness

•  Should forgive each other

•  Should listen to religious elders

•  Should help other turn back to God

•  Should pray to God

•  Should persevere suffering like Ezekiel

•  Should be ready to meet God anywhere

•  Should remain hopeful in difficulties

•  Speak the truth

•  Should help the needy

•  Should be fair to each other

•  Should preserve human life

•  Should be ready for judgement

•  Should console those in pain

•  Should repent their sins