The Book of Ezekiel was written in the context of Babylonian exile, during a period of profound crisis for the people of Israel. It addresses the traumatic events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, and the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon. Here’s a closer look at the context in which it was written:

1. Historical Background:

• • Babylonian Invasion and Exile: In 597 BCE, Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II invaded Judah and took many of its leading citizens, including Ezekiel, into exile in Babylon. Ezekiel, a priest, was living in one of these communities of exiles along the Kebar River, likely near Nippur. The final blow came in 586 BCE when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, leading to even more deportations.
  • Loss of National Identity: For the Israelites, the exile was not just a military defeat; it was a religious and existential crisis. The destruction of the Temple and the loss of Jerusalem symbolized the collapse of their special relationship with God, as the Temple was considered the place of God’s presence on earth. The question “Has God abandoned His people?” was deeply felt.

2. Ezekiel’s Role:

• • Prophet and Priest: Ezekiel was both a prophet and a priest, and this dual role shaped his messages. As a priest, he had a deep concern for the purity of worship and the centrality of the Temple. As a prophet, he was called to bring God’s message of judgment, and later hope, to the exiles.
  • Messages of Judgment and Hope: Ezekiel’s early prophecies (chapters 1–24) focus on the impending destruction of Jerusalem as a divine judgment for the people’s idolatry, corruption, and covenant violations. After the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BCE, his messages (chapters 33–48) shift towards hope and restoration, foretelling the renewal of Israel, a return to the land, and a future where God’s presence would return to dwell with His people in a renewed Temple.

3. Religious and Theological Context:

• • Judgment for Sin and Idolatry: Ezekiel emphasizes that the calamities Israel faced were not due to God abandoning them, but rather the result of their persistent idolatry, corruption, and social injustice. He frequently condemned the leaders and people for their false worship, violence, and neglect of the covenant.
  • God’s Sovereignty and Glory: Even in exile, Ezekiel’s visions underscore that God is still sovereign and His glory is not confined to the Temple or Jerusalem. One of Ezekiel’s central visions (chapter 1) reveals God’s mobile throne, symbolizing His universal reign, even in foreign lands.
  • Restoration of Israel: Ezekiel’s later prophecies introduce hope for the future. He speaks of God’s plan to bring the exiles back to their land, give them new hearts (Ezekiel 36:26), and restore Israel’s relationship with Him. His famous vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (chapter 37) symbolizes the resurrection and national restoration of Israel.

4. Babylonian Influence:

• • Ezekiel’s time in Babylon also reflects the cultural influence of the Babylonian Empire. Babylonian religion, with its complex imagery and emphasis on cosmic visions, might have influenced the symbolic and apocalyptic style seen in Ezekiel’s visions. His visionary experiences—such as the divine chariot in chapter 1 and the detailed description of a future temple—contain symbols reminiscent of Mesopotamian motifs.

5. Prophetic Challenges:

• • Ezekiel faced skepticism and resistance from the exiles, many of whom believed that their stay in Babylon would be temporary or that God would soon restore the kingdom of Judah. Ezekiel’s prophecies of Jerusalem’s destruction would have been shocking to those who still held out hope for its survival.
  • Ezekiel also performed symbolic acts—like lying on his side for extended periods, shaving his head, or cooking food over dung—to communicate the severity of Jerusalem’s impending doom. These acts illustrated the dramatic nature of his prophetic mission.

In this context, Ezekiel’s prophecies helped shape the exiles’ understanding of why the disaster had occurred, offering a path toward repentance and renewal, and pointing to a future where God’s presence would again dwell with His people.