EZEKIEL
While Jeremiah was ministering to the people in Judah, Ezekiel was ministering to the exiles in Babylon. He was taken to Babylon in 597 b.c. with the second deportation; and five years later, he received his call to ministry (592 b.c.). Like Jeremiah, he was a priest who was called to be a prophet; and also like Jeremiah, he preached action sermons that caught the attention of the people.
There are four sections to the book: (1) God’s call of Ezekiel (chaps. 1–3); (2) God’s judgment on Jerusalem (chaps.
Ezekiel’s prophecy emphasizes the glory of God and the honor of God’s name. Sixty-seven times the statement “I am the Lord” is found in this book, and several times God is said to act “for [His] name’s sake” so that His holy name would “not be profaned.” Had the people of Judah been concerned for the honor of the Lord, He would not have dishonored them before their enemies.