Ezekiel

Unlike some books in the bible, Ezekiel contains many precise dates and even places linked to the oracles. The prophet's ministry begins by a river in Babylonia in 593BC, about five years after the Babylonians conquered Judah and about seven years before the cataclysmic fall of Jerusalem and the temple. That ministry continued for at least 22 years of his nation's exile from their homeland.

The book opens with a vision of the majesty of God contrasted with the frailty of mortals, and this vision colours the prophet's attack on the sinfulness of Israel. Time and again he attacks the idolatry and apostasy of God's chosen people, while maintaining a hope for the future. This hope is based not so much on the possibility of Israel's repentance as on the belief that God would act to reveal his glory to the world, one day restoring the nation to their own land and thereby defending the honour of his name.

Part of The People's Bible Commentary

The Revd Dr Ernest Lucas is Vice-Principal and Tutor in Biblical Studies at Bristol Baptist College. He is the author of Decoding Daniel (Grove Books, 2000) and Can We Believe Genesis Today? (IVP, 2001).

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