Ezekiel

Ezekiel moves inward, outward, and onward: predicting Jerusalem’s fall, announcing that judgment has arrived, and promising restoration beyond it.

Ezekiel’s first vision includes four living creatures emerging from a storm of fire. They resemble human beings, yet each has four faces, four wings, hands, and feet like shining bronze calves’ hooves. Their faces are those of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle.
Each creature moves straight ahead wherever the Spirit leads, without turning aside. Fire and lightning flash among them.
Beside the creatures are wheels within wheels, covered with eyes. Wherever the Spirit leads, the wheels and the living creatures move together. In my mind, I pictured these wheels as something like gyroscopes.
Above them is the likeness of a throne with the appearance of lapis lazuli. Upon it is a radiant figure glowing like metal and fire, surrounded by brightness like a rainbow appearing in the clouds after rain.
God calls Ezekiel “son of man” and tells him to eat the scroll that is given to him. Ezekiel eats it, and it tastes as sweet as honey. He is then sent to speak God’s words to the house of Israel. You can see Ezekiel holding the scroll in the lower right portion of the painting.
The book describes God’s dealings with His people and their repeated unfaithfulness toward Him. Israel had pursued the gods and alliances of surrounding nations like an unfaithful wife. Because of this rebellion and idolatry, Ezekiel prophesied the siege and defeat of Jerusalem.
Even the nations Israel trusted would become instruments of judgment against her. Jerusalem’s fall was not an accident of history. It was the consequence of persistent wickedness and refusal to listen to God.
Yet judgment is not the final word.
In Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones, he is led throughout a valley filled with the scattered bones of the dead. The bones represent the whole house of Israel, saying that their strength is gone, their hope has perished, and they have been completely cut off.
God commands Ezekiel to prophesy over the bones. The Lord promises to open the graves of His people, bring them back, place His Spirit within them, and restore them to their own land. What appears completely dead and beyond recovery can live again when God breathes His Spirit into it.
The final portion of the book turns toward promised restoration. Judah and Israel will be reunited as one people under a Davidic king. God’s sanctuary will stand among them, His glory will return, worship will be restored, and the boundaries of the land will be established.
The book begins with visions of approaching judgment and the departure of glory.
It ends with renewed life, restored worship, and the presence of God among His people once again.
Judgment is near.
Judgment comes.
Hope remains ahead.