The message of the prophet Ezekiel is, in many ways, a timeless one. What is recorded for us, however, consists mainly of a series of dated prophecies, not always in chronological order. These prophecies can be grouped into 3 types. Firstly, those highlighting Israel’s sin and impending severe discipline, secondly, those against the surrounding nations and thirdly, a promised restoration for the nation of Israel. Central to these prophecies are 3 passages depicting the divine glory.

The timelessness of these is in their application to the lives of God’s people in every age as individuals. They are also highly relevant for the NT church as a whole. In order to understand this it is necessary to first consider parts of the historical and religious background of the Jewish nation.

The nation had prospered in the time of King David and his son Solomon. After Solomon’s death it became divided with two different leaders. The dormant seeds of rebellion and idolatry had begun to shoot. God had said ‘You shall have no other god’s before Me.’ There were two different main centers of worship and the worship of God became compromised. King Manasseh even erected altars to false god’s in the House of the Lord. Why was this sin so serious? … because the altar to the living God in the temple was a symbol of the crucified Saviour dwelling in believers’ hearts by faith. The holy people of God who were meant to be a witness to His glory before the other nations, became an object of derision.

God severely disciplined His people and this culminated in them being taken into captivity by the Babylonians. The city of Jerusalem was overrun and the temple there, the main center of Jewish worship, was destroyed. God had seemingly rejected His people.

This, however, was not all that it seemed to be. The nations who had delighted in the plight of God’s people, were only His instruments. God brought serious retribution upon them for what they had done. Their treatment of the Israelites resulted in disastrous consequences for themselves.

Furthermore, after a period of 70 years, God eventually brought His people back from exile and into their own land. The temple in Jerusalem was restored and the people rejoiced. Ezekiel had prophesied all these things and the fulfilment of his prophecies confirmed that He was a true prophet of the living God.