Ezekiel was a priest who ministered during one of the hardest periods in Judah’s history ”“ their 70-year captivity at the hands of Babylon. He wrote the Book of Ezekiel, which handed down prophecies that the people of Jerusalem ignored. In this article, you will encounter passages and facts regarding the religious text.
Passages that give an idea as to the kind of text written in the Book of Ezekiel, consider the following:
“He said: ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, “This is what the Sovereign LORD says.” And whether they listen or fail to listen – for they are a rebellious house – they will know that a prophet has been among them.'” (Ezekiel 2:3-6)
“For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son – both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.” (Ezekiel 18:4)
“‘You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.” (Ezekiel 28:12-14)
“Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?'” (Ezekiel 33:11)
“And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.” (Ezekiel 48:35)
Facts about the Book of Ezekiel
A few interesting facts about the Book of Ezekiel include:
Ӣ There are 48 chapters included in the Book of Ezekiel.
Ӣ There are 1,273 verses contained in the Book of Ezekiel.
Ӣ The Book of Ezekiel consists of 39,407 words.
Ӣ Ezekiel used parables, prophecies, signs and symbols to spread his message. For instance, in the vision of the Valley of the Dry Bones, which demonstrates that God could breathe new life back into Judah.
”¢ When Ezekiel ministered, his word overlapped the end of Jeremiah’s ministry and the beginning of David’s ministry.
Ӣ In the Book of Ezekiel, readers learn about the destruction and submission of Jerusalem, which took place in three stages. First, Nebuchadnezzar overcame Jehoiakim and took with him key hostages, such as Daniel and his friends. This took place in 605 BC. The second event that occurred was the rebellion of Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin in 597 BC. However, this only brought further punishment onto the people. Jerusalem was made to once again submit a second time. Nebuchadnezzar came away with ten-thousand additional hostages. In this round-up, Jehoiakin and Ezekiel were amongst the taken. In 586 BC, following a siege that lasted one year and 17 months, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city of Jerusalem. With this act, destruction and devastation came to all of Judah.