The Trial

As we switch from the story of Daniel to the story of Ezekiel, we see God call and commission Ezekiel into ministry--not as a priest, but instead as a prophet. By and large, his assignment is to prophesy to his fellow Jews who are in exile with him in Babylon, but in Chapters 8-11 we see him take a virtual joy ride to Jerusalem where God has some important things to show him. In some ways, the passage reads like a version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, with the Spirit taking Ezekiel to different moments and scenes in Jerusalem and in the temple, each building the case for why Yahweh is justified in judging his people. The picture is a grim one, but in true Yahweh fashion, it is not without hope.