January 30 - Ezekiel

January 30 - Ezekiel

Ezekiel was another son of a priest – Buzi.  He was among the Jews who were in exile with King Jehoiachin to Babylon in 597 B.C.E.  Three years later, he was called to be a prophet.  We know that he was married, because we find a notice of his wife’s death in Ezekiel 24:15-24.  He prophesied during the same time as Jeremiah, but neither mentions the other.  He spent his time in Babylon and his words are filled with hope.

Ezekiel is one of those misunderstood prophets by those of us today.  His book is filled with apocalyptic imagery and vivid symbolism.  The four visions that he has from God aren’t easy to understand without some time spent digging into them. Things that we can have no hope of comprehending happen to Ezekiel.  Who among us would consider baking bread on coals made of human waste – only to have it made a little better by God allowing the use of animal dung. (Ezekiel 4:12-15)  He burns one third of his hair, chops another third with a sword and scatters the final third to represent the impact of life on people when Jerusalem falls.  Symbolism regarding the remnant of the Israelites centers around a few hairs bound into the hem of his garment.

In the vision of Ezekiel 8-11, he is transported to Jerusalem to see what is happening in the temple, to see executioners moving through the city murdering people of every age.  Those who mourn the loss of the city are given a mark by a priest and then are spared.

He speaks oracles against seven nations in Ezekiel 25-32 – which are in essence words of judgment against Israel combined with words of hope for Israel.

After all of the horrors, Ezekiel ends with words of hope.  When we see the land of dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-14, we are made to understand that Israel’s future is grounded only in God’s power.  Only through a relationship with Yahweh, will Israel be delivered.

Ezekiel’s final verse (Ezekiel 48:35) brings to a conclusion the judgment and hope for Israel. “The name of the city from that time on shall be, ‘The Lord is There.’”

Where the Lord is, there will be peace.