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Ezekiel was carried into exile by Babylon, where he received his call to be a prophet and spokesman on behalf of God to the people of Israel. His dual
role of prophet-priest and his position as "watchman" over his people make Ezekiel unique among the prophets and may account for the uniqueness of his message and his methods of delivery. The book contains
48 chapters, divided at the halfway point by the fall of Jerusalem. Ezekiel’s prophecies before this event are chiefly messages of condemnation upon Judah for her sin. Following Jerusalem’s fall, the
prophet speaks to the helpless people of Israel of the hope and certainty of restoration to their homeland and of worship again in the Temple. Ezekiel’s prophecy points forward therefore to the establishment
of God’s kingdom upon the earth with Jesus as King.
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