Ezekiel lived during the same time and through the same circumstances as Jeremiah and Daniel. All three were great prophets of God! Yet all three had completely different ministries.
Jeremiah prophesied to the people prior to their captivity. He prophesied that the captivity would last exactly 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11-12; Jeremiah 29:10-14).
Jeremiah also wrote a letter to the exiles after they had been taken away to Babylon (Jeremiah chapter 29; see also 2 Kings 24:8-16).
Jeremiah witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem. He was chained along with the rest of the exiles, but at the last moment God intervened and Jeremiah was released (Jeremiah 40:1-6). Jeremiah was left behind with the remnant which remained in the land.
Ezekiel and Daniel both lived and prophesied to the people while in Babylon, during the captivity.
Both Ezekiel and Daniel witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem. They were chained and taken away as exiles. Interestingly, they both were around the same age.
In total, there were three deportations. Daniel was taken away as part of the first group of exiles, along with King Jehoiakim (see 2 Kings 42:1-4). Ezekiel was taken away as part of the second group of exiles, along with King Jehoiachin (see 2 Kings 24:8-16). Therefore, Daniel had already been in Babylon almost 10 years when Ezekiel and the second group of exiles arrived.
Both Ezekiel and Daniel would have been familiar with Jeremiah’s prophecy that the captivity would last 70 years. Daniel refers to this in his writings. They both would have been comforted by Jeremiah’s letter of encouragement to the exiles. (Jeremiah 29:7-14)
Daniel was providentially placed by God in the courts of Babylon, to serve in a high governmental/administrative role.
Ezekiel lived among the exiles, by the Kebar River.
“By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’ How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land?” – Psalm 137:1-4
Ezekiel’s ministry was to be a pastor/shepherd to the exiles.
Our background photo for today features the sun shining brightly! This can represent God’s presence with His people … even in their captivity … even in Babylon. God’s message for the people, through Ezekiel, was that He wanted them to know that He is everywhere! Even in Babylon, God is there with them!
Also in our background photo, you will notice briars and thorns are surrounding the gate. So also, God warned Ezekiel at the beginning of his ministry that: “The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. … Whether they listen or fail to listen – for they are a rebellious house – they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briars and thorns are all around you.” – Ezekiel 2:4-6
Ezekiel obeyed God completely! He boldly proclaimed God’s message to the people … a message reiterating to them that it was their own rebellion which had caused this disaster to come upon them. Disobedience results in consequences!!
Ezekiel’s ministry, like Jeremiah’s, was characterized by object lessons. Many of the object lessons which God commanded were strange and bizarre. Yet Ezekiel obeyed God completely!
And like Isaiah and Jeremiah, Ezekiel had much to say concerning the surrounding nations.
God loves all people! God wants all people of the earth to repent and turn to Him.
“As surely as I live, declares the sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!” – Ezekiel 33:11
Jesus Christ in Ezekiel.
– Jesus appears to Ezekiel in a vision.
(Ezekiel 1:26-28; see also Revelation 1:12-18)
– Jesus is typified as the tender twig that becomes a stately cedar.
(Ezekiel 17:22-24)
– Jesus is prophesied to be the caring Shepherd.
(Ezekiel 34:11-17; also see Matthew 25:31-46)
– Jesus, the caring Shepherd, is prophesied to be a descendant of David.
(Ezekiel 34:23-24)
– Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will make an everlasting covenant of peace.
(Ezekiel 37:24-27; see also Revelation 21:3)
– The future glorious kingdom of Jesus is revealed to Ezekiel.
(Ezekiel 43:1-7; Ezekiel 47:12; see also Revelation 22:1-2)
