Why the book of Ezekiel is important
Ezekiel is important because it is prophetic and apocalyptic.
Ezekiel was called by God to be a prophet to deliver His messages.
This book foretells of the judgment to come upon Judah and gives the people one last chance to repent before the judgment falls upon them. It also foretells of the coming deliverance of God's nation from captivity in Babylon, and it describes events during the Babylonian captivity.
Chapters 1-3 God commissioned Ezekiel and he received visions in which his message would be to confront God's sinful nation. God said, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against me; they and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.
Chapters 4-24 Ezekiel delivered the message of doom to the captives and he told several parables. One compared Israel to an adulterous woman. He taught them that God was cleansing His chosen nation, You have borne the penalty of your lewdness and abominations, the Lord declares.
Chapters 25-32 Ezekiel condemns judgment upon seven nations that mocked the God of Israel because of the captivity. Yet they would soon see their fate. These nations were Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt.
Chapters 33-48 present a message of deliverance and restoration. This includes not only the current nation of Israel but also the future of the coming Messiah, the Temple, and the Kingdom of God in the end age. Ezekiel describes the vision of the valley of bones, He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live? I answered, O Lord God, you know.
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