I have been reading through the Revised Common Lectionary recently and saw that the recent readings have been in the book of Ezekiel. The proceeding readings all sit in the prophets. A book full of prophetic witness, it stands as relevant today as it did for the Israelites of sixth century BCE. This week, I want to discuss the relevance of Ezekiel to 2025.
The Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Exile, also known as the Babylonian captivity, was a period in Jewish history during the 6th century BCE when many Judeans were forcibly relocated to Babylon by the Neo-Babylonian Empire after the conquest of the Kingdom of Judah. This exile began in 597 BCE and ended in 538 BCE when the Persian king Cyrus the Great allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
In digging more into this event from the Jewish perspective, I found this:
The salient feature of the exile, however, was that the Jews were settled in a single place by Nebuchadnezzar. While the Assyrian deportation of Israelites in 722 BC resulted in the complete disappearance of the Israelites, the deported Jews formed their own community in Babylon and retained their religion, practices, and philosophies. Some, it would seem, adopted the Chaldean religion (for they name their offspring after Chaldean gods), but for the most part, the community remained united in its common faith in Yahweh.
During this period, Jewish tradition experienced a resurgence as the exiles sought to reclaim their Mosaic origins and revive the foundations of their faith. It is believed that the Torah took its final shape during this time and became the central Jewish text. According to the referenced source, the revival of religious tradition was facilitated when Cyrus the Persian conquered Mesopotamia and allowed the Jews to return home. This event marked the transformation of what was once only a kingdom into a nation dedicated to worshiping Yahweh.
Ezekiel’s Theological Implications
Now that I have the history lined out, I want to look at Ezekiel broadly theologically speaking and in my last section touch on our call to action from Ezekiel’s most famous story.
Ezekiel outlines the reasons for Judah’s exile in his teachings, which include idolatry, social injustice, and disregard for God’s covenant. This text emphasizes that according to Ezekiel, sin has serious consequences, both for individuals and nations.
Ezekiel also presents promises of future restoration for Israel, particularly in Chapters 36 and 37, where the imagery of the valley of dry bones symbolizes spiritual and national renewal. This hope is linked to God’s commitment to His people.
Additionally, Ezekiel (along with Jeremiah) prophesied about a “new covenant” (Ezekiel 36:26-27), where God would give His people a new heart and put His Spirit within them, enabling them to follow His commands. This is viewed as foreshadowing the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20), where God’s law is written on the hearts of believers, and the Holy Spirit empowers them for righteous living.
Ezekiel in Depth
While Ezekiel is central, prophecy remains the focus for the next few weeks in the Revised Common Lectionary. This emphasizes our duty to proclaim the “good news”.
Taking a peek at Ezekiel 37, I find an old friend that I have preached on many times in my stint as a pulpit pastor. Hearing this old story is like hearing my Grandpa tell stories and jokes around Grandma’s dinner table. Here, we get my favorite illustration of rebirth and divine intervention – God is with us. Amidst desolation, amidst despair, amidst all of the anguish that comes with loss and feelings of losing your way, Ezekiel calls us to breathe new life into these moments, to trust in God’s providence and power to revitalize that which was once lifeless, transforming this despair into an opportunity for new growth and renewed faith. This narrative, deeply ingrained in our spiritual heritage, resonates through the ages, offering a timeless message of resilience and divine promise.
For John Wesley he saw a threefold resurrection in this passage:
The resurrection of souls from the death of sin to the life of righteousness: The initial stage of the bones coming together and being covered with flesh was believed to symbolize the revitalization of spiritually dead individuals through the power of God’s word and Spirit.
The resurrection of the Church from an afflicted state to liberty and peace: The bones standing up as a great army represented the revival and restoration of God’s people from periods of oppression and decline.
The resurrection of the body at the great day, particularly the bodies of believers to eternal life: Wesley observed a clear connection to the ultimate resurrection of the dead. He noted the detail of “bone to his bone” signifying the precise reassembly of scattered atoms in the resurrection. He stated, “Thus in the resurrection of the dead, the scattered atoms shall be arranged in their proper place and order, and every bone come to his bone, by the same wisdom and power by which they were first formed in the womb of her that is with child.”
Furthermore, he connected the prophecy to the coming of the Messiah, interpreting the figure of “David my servant” as a reference to Christ, who would be the ultimate king and shepherd over a unified and restored people. The establishment of God’s “sanctuary in the midst of them forevermore” indicated the enduring presence of God with His people during the Gospel age.
To Close
In a world frequently inclined to excuse or relativize wrongdoing, Ezekiel’s prophecy highlights the significance of moral integrity, justice, and adherence to God’s principles in both personal and societal contexts. Specifically in the American context, followers of Christ these days seem a lot like whitewashed tombs and wolves in sheep clothing. Ezekiel was bold in his prophecy and Jesus gave life to Ezekiel’s witness.
We must be emboldened by Ezekiel 37 and the call to prophetic witness. When we sit silently and let the wolves feast, we do a disservice to the call to discipleship Jesus calls us to in the Sermon on the Mount.
During periods of uncertainty or when human systems appear deficient, Ezekiel’s prophecy reassures believers of God’s ultimate sovereignty and encourages reverence for His holiness.
For individuals and communities experiencing despair or brokenness, Ezekiel’s message offers profound hope for renewal and restoration through God’s grace and power. It speaks to the potential for new beginnings even in seemingly hopeless circumstances.
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