Who was Ezekiel?

Very little is known about the prophet Ezekiel’s personal life. We know that he was a priest among the thousands of young men deported from Judah to Babylon when King Jeroiakim surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar around 580-600 B.C.

The Valley of Dry Bones – one of Ezekiel’s most famous visions. Graphic – River of Hope

Ezekiel had visions of God appearing like a Man, yet glowing and dazzling with fire; and, of angelic beings with four faces, wings, hands, and Wheels within Wheels that contained all-seeing eyes (Ezekiel 1).

The prophet’s central message was one of the importance of repentance. Israel’s people had fallen into the idol worship that was prevalent among the Babylonians. Ezekiel taught the feeling of a new heart and new spirit that would be given to the people who would be cleansed of their sins (Ezekiel 36:26) and of the return of God’s people to Israel (Ezekiel 36:28; 35), where God said “you will be My people, and I will be your God”. This was a reiteration of God’s covenant with the people of Israel.

Ezekiel’s most well-known vision was that of the Valley of the Dry Bones – it is also our reading for the fifth Sunday in the Lent. In this vision Ezekiel sees dry bones coming together to form bodies which come to life – echoing resurrection – a central theme in the readings this week along with the resurrection of Lazarus in John’s Gospel.