Book 26 of 39 in the Old Testament — Judgment & restoration.
Ezekiel prophesied among the exiles already deported to Babylon, delivering vivid, often startling visions and symbolic acts to confront Judah's remaining unfaithfulness before Jerusalem's final fall. The famous vision of the valley of dry bones coming to life pictures God's promise to restore his scattered people. Later chapters describe a glorious future temple and God's Spirit renewing hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. Ezekiel pairs unflinching judgment with some of the Old Testament's most striking images of restoration.
“As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.”King James Version
Ezekiel's opening vision describes the overwhelming glory of the Lord.
“For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”King James Version
God takes no pleasure in anyone's death and calls people to turn and live.
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”King James Version
God promises to give his people a new heart and a new spirit.
“Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:”King James Version
God promises to breathe life into the dry bones of Israel.
“And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.”King James Version
God will put his Spirit in his people and bring them back to life.