Ezekiel the Prophet
Category: Prophetic endurance in exile & symbolic suffering
Could avoid: Remain silent, refuse God’s hard call.
“The Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD on me.” (Ezekiel 3:14)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 20:9; Acts 20:22–24.
Chose: Obeyed God in strange symbolic acts (lying on his side, eating restricted food, shaving his head).
“So I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin… lie on your left side.” (Ezekiel 4:4–5)
Cross-Refs: Hosea 1:2; Hebrews 11:36–37.
Endured: Exile, mockery, personal loss (his wife’s death as a sign).
“The delight of your eyes I am about to take away from you with a single blow.” (Ezekiel 24:16)
Cross-Refs: Job 1:21; Luke 14:26.
Why: God called him as a watchman to warn Israel.
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel.” (Ezekiel 3:17)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 62:6; Acts 20:31.
Result: His visions preserved, pointing to restoration and God’s glory.
“The glory of the LORD entered the temple through the gate facing east.” (Ezekiel 43:4)
Cross-Refs: Revelation 21:22–23; John 1:14.
The Exiles (by the Kebar River)
Category: Endurance in captivity & hope for restoration
Could avoid: Assimilate fully into Babylonian ways.
“I sat among the exiles by the Kebar River, and I was overwhelmed.” (Ezekiel 3:15)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 137:1–4; Daniel 1:8.
Chose: Listened to God’s word through Ezekiel’s visions.
“The heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.” (Ezekiel 1:1)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 29:11–14; Acts 7:55–56.
Endured: Loss of land, temple destruction, despair.
“Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.” (Ezekiel 37:11)
Cross-Refs: Lamentations 1:1; Hebrews 11:13.
Why: Held on to God’s promise of renewal.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 31:33; John 3:5.
Result: Promise of return, resurrection vision of dry bones.
“I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land.” (Ezekiel 37:14)
Cross-Refs: Romans 8:11; Revelation 21:3–4.
The Watchman Principle (Symbolic Figure)
Category: Endurance in warning & responsibility
Could avoid: Keep silent, avoid responsibility.
“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet… I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.” (Ezekiel 33:6)
Cross-Refs: Acts 20:26–27; Hebrews 13:17.
Chose: Warn faithfully, even if people did not listen.
“But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn… you will be saved yourself.” (Ezekiel 33:9)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 6:17; 2 Timothy 4:2.
Endured: People’s rejection and stubbornness.
“To them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice… but they do not put them into practice.” (Ezekiel 33:32)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 7:26; James 1:22.
Why: Knew obedience to God mattered more than results.
“You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen.” (Ezekiel 2:7)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 55:11; Galatians 6:9.
Result: Accountability fulfilled, God’s truth declared.
“Then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” (Ezekiel 33:33)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 10:41; 2 Corinthians 2:15–16.
Vision of the Dry Bones (Symbolic of Israel)
Category: Endurance in hopelessness & renewal by God’s Spirit
Could avoid: Remain in despair, believe restoration impossible.
“Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.” (Ezekiel 37:11)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 22:14–15; Lamentations 3:18.
Chose: Responded to God’s word of life.
“Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!’” (Ezekiel 37:4)
Cross-Refs: John 11:43; Romans 10:17.
Endured: Waiting for renewal, long exile, hopelessness.
“I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life.” (Ezekiel 37:10)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 2:7; John 20:22.
Why: God’s Spirit gives life where none remains.
“I will put my Spirit in you and you will live.” (Ezekiel 37:14)
Cross-Refs: Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 3:6.
Result: Promise of national restoration and spiritual renewal.
“They will be my people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel 37:27)
Cross-Refs: Revelation 21:3; Hebrews 8:10.