Introduction to the Book of Ezekiel This book is named after its author,
Ezekiel.
As both a priest and a prophet, Ezekiel's message had much to do with the
temple and the rituals of its sacrificial system.
Ezekiel was among the 10,000 Jewish people exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar
in 597 B.C.
While Jeremiah the prophet was in Jerusalem predicting the city's complete
destruction, Ezekiel was in Babylon predicting the same fate for the
disobedient people of Jerusalem.
Then in 586 B.C., the city and temple were burned and Israel's line of kings is
ended, but not without purpose.
Over and over, God proclaims through the prophet Ezekiel, And ye shall know that I
am the Lord, showing that this divine discipline was to cause Israel once again
to serve God alone.
After the fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel's message changed dramatically to prophecies
of hope and comfort.
When the years of captivity ended, God brought his people back to the
promised land and back into his covenant relationship.
One day, they would experience revival, restoration, and a glorious future as the
redeemed and perfected kingdom of God in the world.