The three major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) and Zephaniah all have the same basic sequence of messages:
(1) oracles against Israel,
(2) oracles against the nations,
(3) consolation for Israel.
In no other book is this pattern clearer than in Ezekiel. The book also has a symmetry:
(1)The desecrated temple fit for destruction (8–11) and then purified temple (40–48).
(2) God of wrath (1) and God of comfort (“the Lord is there,” 48:35).
(3) A watchman announcing divine judgment (3) and the new age to follow (33).
(4) The mountains of Israel is rebuked (6) and consoled (36).
Ezekiel was from a priestly family and was one of the Jews exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC, and in 1:1-3 received his call to become a prophet. He was married (24:15–18), lived in a house of his own (3:24; 8:1) and his wife died (24). Like Jeremiah, his life, actions and visions draw attention to his message. As exiles, the Jews lived as a minority race in a pluralistic society. (Read the rest of the introduction here http://www.biblica.com/niv/study-bible/ezekiel/)
Again, try to get a general sense of the book and not get lost in the detail. There is lots to marvel at in terms of visual imagery of the book. For example, this is one person's, possibly a Gamer, visual representation of chapter 1
Here are more possible pictures/ visual representations of the passage.
If you've been finding the background videos helpful here's the one for Ezekiel http://www.bibledex.com/videos/ezekiel.html
What have you learnt about God today?
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