Ezekiel

Why Valuable

1-2. What does the book of Ezekiel reveal about Jehovah’s name?

“YOU will have to know that I am Jehovah.” (36:11) Jehovah inspired Ezekiel to express this thought more than 60 times in the book bearing his name. And the phrase “Sovereign Lord Jehovah” appears over 200 times. Jehovah uses this book​—more than any other—​to emphasize the importance of his name, or reputation. He also reveals his purpose to clear his name of reproach. (36:22; 39:7) When Jehovah sanctifies his name, his faithful worshippers will benefit greatly.​—34:25-28; 39:25.

² What does Jehovah mean when he says: “You will have to know that I am Jehovah”? This phrase means that people will have no choice but to recognize his sovereignty and what his name means. The disobedient Jews in Ezekiel’s day came to know one aspect of Jehovah’s personality when they experienced his discipline. (6:9, 10) In the future, the nations “will have to know” Jehovah as Judge when he executes vengeance on them. (25:17) However, true worshippers will also come to know Jehovah as the Fulfiller of promises when he rewards them with eternal peace and happiness.​—28:26.

3. What details about the promised Messiah are mentioned in Ezekiel?

³ The book of Ezekiel contains details about the promised Messiah, who would be a descendant of King David. For example, although David’s throne would sit empty for a long time, Jehovah swore that the Kingdom would eventually be given to the one with the legal right, the Messiah. (21:27) Jehovah also said that he would “raise up one shepherd . . . , my servant David.” (34:23, 24) Jesus, a descendant of David, fulfilled these prophecies. (Lu 1:32, 33; Joh 10:11) The book of Ezekiel includes many other prophecies that strengthen our faith.​—See Box 26-A.

4. What do Ezekiel’s visions reveal about the spirit realm?

⁴ By means of Ezekiel’s visions, Jehovah gives us a rare glimpse into heaven. For example, he showed the prophet an impressive celestial chariot that illustrates how awe-inspiring and organized the spirit realm is. (1:15-28) He also revealed details about the role of the angels, particularly the cherubs.​—1:4-14; 10:3-22; 11:22.

5. What does Ezekiel teach us about Jehovah?

⁵ In the book of Ezekiel, we see Jehovah’s kindness and mercy. He was rightfully angry with the nation of Israel for not living up to his clean standards. (22:26, 31) Nevertheless, he kindly warned the wayward Israelites about the consequences of their actions and promised to forgive them if they repented. (3:17; 33:14-16) And even when he allowed his people to be taken into exile, Jehovah still cared for them. In fact, he promised that he would punish the nations that mistreated them. (25:6, 7) Jehovah also promised to return his people to Jerusalem and bless them.​—36:37, 38.

6. What valuable lessons do we find in the book of Ezekiel?

⁶ In this book, Jehovah highlights key lessons for all his worshippers. Each human is personally responsible for his actions before Jehovah.a (18:30) Our actions affect him and his name. (6:9; 20:39) And our life depends on our honoring his name and giving him the clean worship that he deserves.​—18:5-9.

What to Know Before Reading

7. What do we know about the prophet Ezekiel?

⁷ Writer: The prophet Ezekiel wrote the book. His name means “God Strengthens.” Ezekiel was likely born about 643 B.C.E., and his father served as a priest in Jerusalem. (1:3) In 617 B.C.E., at about the age of 26, Ezekiel was taken to Babylon when King Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar. (2Ki 24:11-15) In 613 B.C.E. when Ezekiel was about 30 years old, Jehovah commissioned him as a prophet. (1:1, 2; 2:3) Ezekiel’s prophetic work overlapped with that of Obadiah and Jeremiah, who served in Judah, and with that of Daniel, who served in Babylon.

8. Who was Ezekiel’s target audience?

⁸ Background: Ezekiel’s prophecies, which complement those of Jeremiah and Daniel, were addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. (3:4, 5; see Box 26-B.) Some of those exiles, including Ezekiel, arrived in Babylon before Jerusalem fell, while others arrived afterward.

9. How did Ezekiel’s messages benefit the Jewish exiles?

⁹ Jehovah commissioned Ezekiel to help the exiles accept their discipline. Through Ezekiel, Jehovah explained why they were in captivity, namely, for dishonoring His name with their apostate worship. They needed to understand that he deserved to be obeyed and worshipped in a way acceptable to him. At the beginning of Ezekiel’s prophetic career, Jehovah’s messages focused on denouncing the wickedness in Jerusalem. But as soon as Jerusalem fell, Jehovah changed his focus by providing messages of hope. Some Jews scoffed at the messages, but others listened.

10. How is the book of Ezekiel arranged?

¹⁰ Other details: The book of Ezekiel is arranged by topic and is written mostly in chronological order. After describing Ezekiel’s appointment as a prophet, the book goes on to present prophecies and visions that are grouped into three categories: (1) Jerusalem’s destruction, (2) judgments against surrounding nations, and (3) Israel’s restoration. Ezekiel dates his prophecies by year, month, and day, evidently starting from the exile of King Jehoiachin in 617 B.C.E.​—2Ch 36:9, 10, ftn.; Eze 1:2; see Box 26-C.

11. What symbolic actions was Ezekiel asked to perform, and why?

¹¹ Jehovah often asked Ezekiel to act out His prophetic messages. For example, on separate occasions, Ezekiel had to lie on his side in front of a brick, shave his head and beard, pack and carry luggage, and join two sticks together. (4:1-4; 5:1-4; 12:3-7; 37:15-17) No doubt, Ezekiel’s unusual actions would have drawn the exiles’ attention to his message.​—2:5.

Summary

12. What does Ezekiel see when he is commissioned as a prophet?

¹² Jehovah commissions Ezekiel as a prophet. (1:1–3:27) In 613 B.C.E., the heavens are opened and Ezekiel begins “to see visions of God.” (1:1) Ezekiel sees impressive living creatures, later identified as cherubs. (10:20) He sees a celestial chariot and a brilliant light like “the appearance of the glory of Jehovah.” (1:28) Jehovah then commissions Ezekiel as a watchman and as a prophet. (2:3) Whether others listen or not, Ezekiel must faithfully warn them; otherwise, he will die.​—3:17-19.

13. What prophetic messages does Ezekiel act out?

¹³ Ezekiel prophesies judgment against Jerusalem and its rebellious people. (4:1–24:27) Jehovah commands Ezekiel to act out the coming siege of Jerusalem and the famine its inhabitants will experience. (4:1-3, 10) He tells Ezekiel to shave his head and beard and instructs him on what to do with the hair. These actions portray the thorough destruction of Jerusalem and its people. (5:1, 2) Then he tells the prophet to denounce the Israelites for their idolatry.​—6:1-4.

14-15. What does Jehovah foretell regarding Jerusalem?

¹⁴ In 612 B.C.E., Ezekiel is taken to Jerusalem in a vision and sees the detestable worship taking place there. (8:1-3) A man goes through the city, putting a mark on those sighing and groaning over what is taking place. Executioners then kill off everyone without the mark. (9:1-6) Yes, Jehovah will punish the nation. (11:9, 10) However, some exiles will return to Jerusalem.​—11:17.

¹⁵ Jehovah has Ezekiel act out the exile of the Jews. (12:3-7) Then He commands Ezekiel to prophesy against Israel’s false prophets. (13:2) The Jewish elders in Babylon speak with Ezekiel, and he informs them that nothing can stop Jerusalem’s destruction from happening.​—14:1, 14.

16-18. What comparisons does Jehovah make?

¹⁶ Jehovah uses vivid illustrations to explain the reason for Jerusalem’s destruction. He compares Jerusalem to the wood of a vine that is fit only for burning and likens her to a beloved wife who becomes a brazen prostitute. (15:6; 16:3, 8, 28) In a riddle, he compares King Zedekiah to a vine that will dry up. (17:7, 9, 12) Yet, Jehovah assures Israel that each person will be judged for his own actions and that the righteous will keep living. (18:20-22) Ezekiel is then told to sing a dirge, or a song of mourning, about Israel’s rulers.​—19:1, ftn.

¹⁷ The elders speak to Ezekiel again in 611 B.C.E. (20:1) Jehovah has Ezekiel recite Israel’s long history of rebellion. Jehovah will destroy the wicked nation. But there is hope. When “the one who has the legal right comes,” Jehovah will give him the kingship. (21:27) After listing Jerusalem’s sins, Jehovah compares Samaria and Jerusalem to Oholah and Oholibah, two sisters who became prostitutes. Samaria, the capital of the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel, was already destroyed; Jerusalem will be next.​—Eze 23:4; compare Jer 3:6-8.

¹⁸ In 609 B.C.E., Jehovah tells Ezekiel that Jerusalem’s siege has begun. (24:1, 2) The city is like a rusty cooking pot that should be thrown into the fire. (24:6, 12) The day that the siege begins, Ezekiel’s wife dies and Jehovah tells him not to mourn her death.​—24:16, 18.

19-20. What nations does Jehovah denounce, and why?

¹⁹ Judgments against nations that rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem. (25:1–32:32) Jehovah promises to bring his vengeance on Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia. Then in 607/606 B.C.E., Jehovah foretells the fall of Tyre and Sidon and asks Ezekiel to sing a dirge over Tyre.​—26:3; 27:1, 2; 28:22.

²⁰ Chapters 29-32 contain prophecies against Egypt. These are delivered between 607 and 591 B.C.E. Jehovah foretells that Babylon will invade Egypt.

21-22. What encouraging prophecies does Ezekiel relate?

²¹ Jerusalem is destroyed, but Ezekiel prophesies a restoration. (33:1–48:35) Jehovah reminds Ezekiel of his responsibilities as a watchman. (33:7) Possibly in 607 B.C.E., an escapee from Jerusalem informs Ezekiel that the city has fallen.b (33:21) Ezekiel tells the exiles that any thoughts of rescuing Judah are futile. Jehovah then rebukes Israel’s false shepherds. He promises to care for his sheep and to “raise up one shepherd over them, [his] servant David.”​—34:23.

²² Ezekiel prophesies desolation for Edom because of its hostility toward Israel. (35:5, 15) Jehovah promises that Israel will be restored. (36:8) Ezekiel sees a vision of a valley plain covered with bones that come back to life. (37:2, 10) Jehovah then asks Ezekiel to join two sticks together to illustrate how the two-tribe kingdom of Judah and Benjamin and the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) will be restored and become one nation.​—37:19.

23-24. How will Jehovah respond to Gog’s attack, and what vision does Ezekiel see?

²³ Ezekiel prophesies that Gog will invade Israel. (38:14-16) However, Jehovah will defend his people and destroy Gog and his army. By restoring Israel, Jehovah will sanctify his name.​—39:25.

²⁴ In 593 B.C.E., Jehovah transports Ezekiel to Israel in a vision. (40:1) He is shown a grand temple and its many details and measurements. Jehovah’s glory fills the temple. Ezekiel is given instructions about sacrifices, priests’ duties, and land allotment. He sees a stream flowing from the temple. Then the 12 tribes of Israel receive their inheritance, and Ezekiel learns the name of the city: “Jehovah Is There.” (48:35) By means of this vision, Jehovah emphasizes his righteous standards and reassures the exiles that pure worship will be restored.​—See Box 26-D.