Ezekiel's ministry took place during a time of important transition in the life of the nation of Israel - a time when the judgement of God would bring catastrophic change to the lives of its people. Balances in power were shifting - the former superpower Egypt was in decline, and Assyria's influence was becoming less significant. Babylon was on the rise, and the seige of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar resulted in 10,000 people taken into captivity, among them the priest-turned-prophet Ezekiel. His prophetic ministry, often accompanied by symbolic actions, lasted over 20 years. The pre-captivity prophecies warned of disaster, but post-captivity prophecies more positively contained promises of hope.
Rather than being a commentary on Ezekiel, this volume on Ezekiel in the Opening Up series provides lessons and principles for today's Christians derived from some of Ezekiel's visions.
Although the Bible can seem incomprehensible, the Opening Up the Bible series is designed to provide a basic grounding and introduction to the individual books within it. These simple (but not simplistic) tools will help individuals and small groups understand God’s Word, no matter what background or knowledge they already have.
Each volume takes you section-by-section through the covered book, opening up God's word with wisdom, insight, and practical application. Additionally, the "For Further Study" points at the end of a section provide guidance to other areas of scripture that further illuminate the lesson, and the "To Think About and Discuss" section provides thought-provoking questions that can be used by both individuals and groups to gain understanding and apply the subject matter to life today.
Peter Jeffery served as a minister for many years in Wales and England before engaging in an itinerant ministry of evangelism and preaching which has taken him to many parts of the world. He has a passion for sharing the gospel in clear terms and with vivid illustrations. He is author of some forty books, many of which are intended for new believers and those who are not yet mature in the Christian faith.
