Ezekiel was priest and prophet (v1) to Jewish exiles near the river Chebar, in the land of the Chaldeans. The book starts in the 5th year of King Jehoiachin’s exile which, if you remember, took place 11 years before the final destruction of Jerusalem. Historians reckon that Ezekiel lived among about 10,000 exiles in a concentration camp some 50 miles from Babylon, and were, probably, slaves involved in the construction of a river-canal.
Away from God’s presence in Jerusalem, this was not the most promising location for prophetic revelations but God is not limited!

THE GREAT VISION
Ezekiel was a man of vision and this was a remarkable one for “the heavens were opened”, the word of the Lord came to” him (v3) and “the hand of the Lord was upon him”. It looked like a great cloud, brought by a stormy wind, but this was no ordinary cloud for it was a cloud full of heavenly creatures and, continually, flashed fire (v4). Four cherubim had a sort of human form with four wings and four different heads-human, lion, ox and eagle (v10). Perhaps these heads symbolise that they possessed the many abilities of human beings but so much more: the load-bearing strength of the ox, the aggressive authority of the lion and the eagle’s mastery of the sky. One important feature, though, was (v12) that they followed the spirit wherever it went. Each creature had a wheel nearby (v15), constructed like a wheel within a wheel but these were, of course, no ordinary wheels. They gleamed like jewels, moved perfectly in all four directions and their rims were full of eyes. Above them, Ezekiel saw “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord” (v28) sitting on a sapphire throne. Notice he was struggling to describe that glory. From the waist up He was like glowing metal and from the waist down like fire and the splendour around Him was likened to a beautiful rainbow. The Lord had come to Ezekiel (who fell flat on his face) with a message for him (ch2). He was being sent to Israel, a rebellious and stubborn people and he was to, fearlessly, take the Lord’s words even if the people did not want to hear (v6). The message was one of lamentation (v10) and Ezekiel received it deep into his heart. The vision left him stunned (3v15) for seven days but I believe that, the experience of God’s glory, changed him for a lifetime.

EZEKIEL’S MESSAGE WAS TO WARN THE EXILES
Ezekiel was to be, like Jeremiah, a watchman who gave warning (3v17) that Jerusalem would be destroyed.  It was a message to his fellow exiles in Chaldea (ch4): one third of the city would die by pestilence and famine, one third by the sword and one third scattered among the nations (5v12). The Lord was “crushed by their wanton heart that turned away” from Him (6v9). In other words, God was heartbroken over their rebellion and pagan worship, which we will see took place even in the house of God, itself.

GOD’S GLORY LEFT THE HOUSE
As Ezekiel received another vision he was transported, in the spirit, to see all the wicked abominations which were happening in God’s house (ch8). The glory of the Lord moved around God’s house, as did the same fiery cherubim, for judgement was to start there, before it moved out into the city. God’s glory finally left His house (10v18) and the city Jerusalem (11v23) but God was quick to emphasise that one day he would be back. He would protect those in exile (v16, 17), return them to the land and give them (v19, 20) “one heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh.” God’s people would then, willingly, follow Him and obey Him; God delights in the fact that “they shall be my people and I will be their God”.

A NEW COVENANT OF LOVE PROMISED
God’s desire was to take hold of their hearts (14v5) and chapter 16 explains how God had taken pity on Jerusalem when she was, metaphorically, a young girl in an absolute mess (v6). Later on the girl became a young woman and was ready for a love covenant with the Lord so He then cleaned her up and showered everything on his beloved until she became known for her beauty. Sadly Jerusalem, that beautiful woman, loved other countries and gods in preference to the true God. She had developed a sick heart (v30) and acted like an adulterous wife. Despite her rejection, God would, one day, establish a new covenant with her, an everlasting covenant (v60) and chapter 18 explains how we will each be judged according to the way we live. We need to repent and turn away from our sins (v30) and get ourselves a new heart and spirit (v31). The sins mentioned here are murder, defiling a neighbours’ wife, oppressing the poor and needy, robbery and idol worship (10-12). In all these chapters (up to ch23), God is very careful to give the reason for his action against Jerusalem and to explain in detail what was going to happen.

SIEGE AND CLEANSING OF JERUSALEM
Chapter 24 is interesting because we see (v1,2) that Ezekiel did not need a messenger to tell him about the siege of Jerusalem for the word of the Lord came directly to him. The prophet was asked to set a meat pot going and then overcook it until it burnt up; yes, even the bones (v3-6). Jerusalem would be cleansed when the Lord acted in response to their “ways and doings” (v14). Ezekiel was also, sadly, told (v16) that the “delight of his eyes” would be taken away but he should not mourn or weep when it happened. In the morning he told the people and later that evening his wife died. In the same way, the exiles would also lose the delight of their own eyes for the house of God would be destroyed, along with their sons and daughters left behind in Jerusalem (v21). The fulfillment of this prophecy would make them realise that He was the Lord God (v27).

GOD’S GLORY SHOWN TO NEIGHBOURING NATIONS
In the pattern of Isaiah and Jeremiah we then have a number of chapters (ch25-32) where the word from God is directed towards other neighbouring nations; especially if they had watched, rejoiced and taken advantage of the downfall of Jerusalem and the people’s exile. This included Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistines (ch25), Tyre in chapters 26-28, Sidon in ch28 and Egypt (with their neighbouring allied nations) in chapters 29-32. There follows some interesting history about the Phoenician sea port, Tyre, which had become a great centre for trading,  fine houses and wealth. In chapter 28 God acknowledged that the king of Tyre was even wiser than Daniel (v3) but condemned him for being proud and giving himself a god-like status (v2). Verse 11 and the following verses seem to describe him as if he was Satan, once full of wisdom and perfect beauty (v12), who also fell through pride (v17). It is interesting to read in ch 29v21 that the reason for God’s judgement of them was to “gain glory” by being in their midst; the whole world needs to know about God’s glory. Also in ch 28 v 25, when the scattered exiles should return, God was going to manifest his holiness in Israel in the sight of the nations. Surely, this must be referring to the coming of Jesus and the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

PRINCE JESUS WILL BE THEIR SHEPHERD
Ezekiel 33 outlines the duties of a watchman to speak warning to the people and encourage them to repent of their own sins. In verse 21 a messenger declared that Jerusalem had fallen and Ezekiel’s message, similar to Jeremiah’s, was to warn them that there was no immediate hope of winning the city back for the whole land was destined to become a desolation (v29). In chapter 34 we hear about shepherd- leaders who had let down the sheep and had fed themselves instead of their sheep (v3). When it was time for the exiles to return it would not be  Israels’ leader shepherds who go to get them but God himself (v12 onwards). It then  talks of God’s servant, David, becoming their shepherd and prince (v23).  Surely, this refers to Jesus, of David’s family, who is the good shepherd who seeks out and saves the lost and truly cares for His sheep.

A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT
Chapter 36 speaks of God sprinkling cleansing water upon them (v25, 26) and putting a new heart and spirit within them. People had become despondent and given up hope for the future because Israel to them (Ch 37) had become like a valley of dry, lifeless bones (v11). On the contrary, God had plans to bring them back to their own soil and put his spirit upon them. Ezekiel was asked to take two sticks, write the name Judah on one and Israel on the other, and God was going to put them on each other so that once again they become one nation (v22). They would not defile themselves with idols again (v23) and God’s dwelling place would be among them again (v27). Historically, when Israel came back from exile they never became two nations again, never worshipped other gods and God’s presence returned.

In chapters 38 and 39 there are some unusual prophecies against other nations-Gog the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal which would ally with other nations-Persia, Ethiopia, Put, Gomer and Beth-togarmah from the remotest parts of the north (v5-6). This mighty army would be gathered from many nations against Israel (v8) but would be defeated when God displayed his greatness and holiness in the eyes of many nations (v23). For many, this chapter looks forward to the great battle of Armageddon in the end times while others think the great battle may have taken place before the birth of Christ. In 39v29 is God referring to an end time pouring out of the spirit or that which happened at Pentecost?

FUTURE GLORY OF THE LORD FILLING HIS TEMPLE
Then from chapters 40 to 48 Ezekiel is brought to a surprising conclusion. This was Ezekiel’s final vision, 20 years after his first by the river Chebar. In his vision, he was taken to the land of Israel upon a very high mountain (not actually called Jerusalem). There he met a man whose appearance shone like bronze and held a linen cord and measuring reed in his hand (v3). Ezekiel had to look and listen attentively to what he was about to see; which was a temple and city design seen in measured detail. From the east (43v2) the glory of God came like the sound of mighty waters and the earth shone with His glory. The glory of the Lord entered the temple and a voice in the inner court spoke out saying that this was the place of his throne and the place for the soles of his feet, among Israel for ever (v7).

THE LORD IS THERE
Chapter 47 tells us of the water flowing from the temple towards the east (the way it faced) and the man, with cord in his hand, measured the depth of the water 1000 cubits further on and found it to be ankle deep (v3). He led him 1000 cubits through the water and it was knee deep; another 1000 and it was up to his waist. After a final 1000 it was a river that could not be crossed; one which you could only swim in (v5). A great many trees grew alongside the river (v7); its water refreshed any stagnant waters which were then teeming with fish. The fruit trees would bring food every month and the leaves healing. The land would be divided among the tribes and foreigners would also be welcome (47v22); again there is a special area for the prince (48v21). The book ends with a comment that “the name of the city from that time on will be, The Lord is there”. It is the presence of the Lord of glory that matters. Are we talking about the gospel kingdom of God, about a millennial reign of Jesus or our future life in heaven? The key requirement for each of them is the presence of God. And that is what we need.

The book of Ezekiel started with a wonderful revelation of God’s glory but that glory was then to be taken away from the house of God and His beloved city.  One day, His prince would come and his presence is now with us for ever.