Ezekiel

(The Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Book of Ezekiel)

The Book of Ezekiel is one of the most vivid and intense prophetic books in the Bible. Written during the time of Israel’s exile, it describes visions, warnings, and promises that are not only relevant to the people of Israel but also carry powerful themes that point us to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through Ezekiel’s prophecies, we see God’s justice, mercy, and plan for redemption, all of which are fulfilled in Jesus. Let’s dive into this fascinating book and discover how it leads us to the hope found in Christ.

A Message of Judgment and Sin’s Consequences

Ezekiel begins with warnings and vivid imagery of judgment. God’s people had turned away from Him, indulging in idolatry and wickedness, and the consequences of their rebellion were severe. In Ezekiel 6:9, God laments over His people’s unfaithfulness, saying, “They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices.” The first part of the book focuses on the reality that sin leads to destruction—a truth that echoes throughout the Bible.

This message of judgment reveals a core truth of the Gospel: that sin separates us from God and brings judgment upon us. As Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death.” Ezekiel’s portrayal of the devastation brought by sin points directly to the need for a Savior. We see this same theme in the Gospel—our sin deserves punishment, but God, in His mercy, made a way for us to be reconciled to Him.

The Promise of a New Heart

While Ezekiel spends much time describing the judgment on Israel and other nations, it is not without hope. One of the most beautiful and powerful promises in the book is found in Ezekiel 36:26-27: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.”

This promise of a new heart is a clear foreshadowing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just as Israel needed spiritual renewal, so do we. Jesus came to fulfill this promise, offering us new life through His death and resurrection. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He transforms our hearts. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Through Jesus, our hearts of stone are replaced with hearts that are alive to God’s Spirit.

The Good Shepherd

One of the most beautiful images of Jesus in Ezekiel comes in Ezekiel 34, where God speaks of Himself as the shepherd who will rescue His people. He promises, “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them” (Ezekiel 34:11), and later, “I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered” (Ezekiel 34:12).

This shepherd imagery points directly to Jesus, who calls Himself the Good Shepherd in John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Just as God promised in Ezekiel to care for His lost sheep, Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He is the shepherd who rescues us from the darkness and leads us to eternal life. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus lays down His life to bring us back into the fold of God’s love and protection.

The Valley of Dry Bones: Resurrection and Life

One of the most striking and hopeful visions in Ezekiel is found in Ezekiel 37, where the prophet is shown a valley of dry bones. God commands Ezekiel to speak to the bones, and as he does, they begin to come to life, representing the spiritual restoration of God’s people. “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live” (Ezekiel 37:14).

This powerful imagery points directly to the resurrection and new life found in Jesus. Just as the dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision were brought back to life, Jesus brings spiritual life to those who are dead in sin. Ephesians 2:1 tells us that before Christ, we were “dead in transgressions and sins.” But through His resurrection, Jesus offers us eternal life. The same Spirit that breathed life into those dry bones is the Spirit that raises us to new life in Christ.

God’s Faithfulness to His Covenant

Another key theme in Ezekiel is the faithfulness of God to His covenant. Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, God remains committed to His promises. In Ezekiel 16:60, God says, “Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.”

This everlasting covenant is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through His blood, we are brought into a new covenant with God—one that is based not on our ability to keep the law, but on God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice. As Jesus said during the Last Supper, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). God’s faithfulness to His covenant, seen in Ezekiel, is fully realized in the Gospel, where we are given the assurance of eternal life through Christ.

Why You Should Read Ezekiel

The Book of Ezekiel is a rich tapestry of visions, warnings, and promises that all point to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. It reminds us of the devastating consequences of sin but also reveals the incredible mercy and grace of God. Ezekiel’s promises of a new heart, a Good Shepherd, and the restoration of life are all fulfilled in Jesus.

As you read Ezekiel, you will see how God’s justice, mercy, and faithfulness work together to bring about redemption. This book invites us to experience the Gospel—to recognize our need for a Savior and to rejoice in the new life that Jesus offers.

Ezekiel may seem like a book filled with strange and dramatic visions, but at its core, it is a message of hope, transformation, and restoration. It shows us that no matter how far we’ve strayed, God is always ready to give us a new heart, guide us as our Good Shepherd, and breathe new life into us through His Spirit. Take time to read Ezekiel for yourself and discover how Jesus’ love and sacrifice are woven into every chapter.