Ezekiel, a prominent prophet in the Hebrew Bible, is often referred to as "Ezekiel of the River" due to his significant experiences by the River Kebar. He is the son of Buzi and a priest, and his prophetic ministry is primarily recorded in the Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel's life and ministry are set during the Babylonian exile, a period of great turmoil and transformation for the people of Israel.

Historical Context

Ezekiel was among the Jewish exiles taken to Babylon in 597 BC, during the second deportation under King Jehoiachin. This period was marked by the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, events that deeply influenced Ezekiel's prophecies. The River Kebar, a canal near the city of Nippur in Babylon, serves as the backdrop for many of Ezekiel's visions and prophecies. It is here that the heavens were opened to him, and he received divine revelations.

Prophetic Calling and Visions

Ezekiel's prophetic calling is vividly described in Ezekiel 1:1-3 : "In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. On the fifth day of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin—the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Chaldeans. And there the hand of the LORD was upon him."

Ezekiel's visions are characterized by their symbolic and often enigmatic nature. One of the most famous is the vision of the "wheel within a wheel" and the four living creatures, which represent the glory and majesty of God (Ezekiel 1:4-28). These visions serve to affirm God's sovereignty and presence even in exile.

Themes and Messages

Ezekiel's prophecies address both judgment and restoration. He warns of the impending destruction of Jerusalem due to the people's idolatry and unfaithfulness. Yet, he also offers hope for the future, emphasizing God's promise to restore Israel. A key theme is the concept of individual responsibility, as seen in Ezekiel 18:20 : "The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him."

Ezekiel also speaks of a new covenant and the renewal of the heart, as in Ezekiel 36:26 : "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This promise points to a future transformation and the indwelling of God's Spirit.

Symbolic Actions

Ezekiel is known for his symbolic actions, which serve as visual prophecies to convey God's messages. These include lying on his side for extended periods to symbolize the siege of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 4:4-6) and shaving his head to represent the fate of the people (Ezekiel 5:1-4). These actions underscore the seriousness of God's warnings and the certainty of His promises.

The Valley of Dry Bones

One of the most powerful visions given to Ezekiel is the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14). In this vision, God brings a valley of dry bones to life, symbolizing the restoration of Israel. This vision highlights God's power to bring life from death and His commitment to restoring His people.

Ezekiel's Legacy

Ezekiel's ministry had a profound impact on the Jewish exiles, offering both a stern warning and a message of hope. His prophecies continue to be studied for their theological depth and their insights into God's character and His plans for His people. Ezekiel's emphasis on God's holiness, justice, and mercy remains a central theme in biblical theology.Ezekiel 47:1-14
Afterward he brought me again to the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
Nave's Topical Index

5158. nachal -- torrent, torrent-valley, wadi
... Or (feminine) nachlah (Psalm 124:4) {nakh'-law}; or nachalah (Ezekiel 47:19;
48:28 ... a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine) -- brook, flood, river, stream, valley ...
/hebrew/5158.htm - 5k

The River of Life
... THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL THE RIVER OF LIFE. Waters issued out from under the
threshold of the house ... Ezekiel 47:1. Unlike most great ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the river of life.htm

Ezekiel's vision (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, June 16 ...
... Ezekiel had found in them a divine and wonderful order, by which the services of ...
one creature: 'This is the living creature which I saw by the river of Chebar ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon ix ezekiels vision preached.htm

The Four Gospels.
... Holy Spirit, found a prophetic picture of them in the four living cherubim, named
from heavenly knowledge, seen by the prophet Ezekiel at the river of Chebar. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 78 the four gospels.htm

The River of Egypt and Its Dragon, Contrasted with the Jordan.
... of rivers to be seen with the eyes, may be gathered from Ezekiel's prophecies against ...
put traps in thy jaws, and I will make the fishes of the river to stick ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/29 the river of egypt.htm

Ezekiel and Daniel.
... Ezekiel. The Prophet. His name means "God will strengthen". He was a priest and
was carried into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar. BC597. He had a home on the river ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xvii ezekiel and daniel.htm

Ezekiel
... It must be admitted, however, that Ezekiel did not fully realize the implications
of ... It shows itself again in his description of the river that issues from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezekiel.htm

God's Purpose for his Church
... A picture of this work is given in Ezekiel's vision of the river of healing: "These
waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 1 gods purpose for.htm

The Flood-Tide of Power.
... Ezekiel's vision of the future capital of Israel gives prominence to a wonderful
river gradually reaching flood-tide and exerting untold influence. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the flood-tide of power.htm

Phial the Sixth, on Euphrates.
... of that vast equestrian army, long bound on the great river Euphrates, at ... it is to
be effected; whether by the Jews themselves, (as Ezekiel, perhaps, intimates ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/phial the sixth on euphrates.htm

January 2. "I Will Cause You to Walk in My Statutes" (Eze. xxxvi. ...
... The highest spiritual condition is one where life is spontaneous and flows without
effort, like the deep floods of Ezekiel's river, where the struggles of the ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /january 2 i will cause.htm

What were the wheels in Ezekiel 1? | GotQuestions.org

Why is Ezekiel called son of man if it is a title for Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37? | GotQuestions.org

Ezekiel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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