Scripture Readings - Ezekiel

Book of Ezekiel

The Book of Ezekiel is attributed to Ezekiel the Priest, whose prophetic ministry extended from approximately 593 to 563 BC while he was living among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. As a prophet to the exiled people, Ezekiel proclaimed that God had not abandoned His people. He continually emphasized God’s presence and sovereignty, so that Israel and the nations would come to know that He is the Lord.

Ezekiel also strongly emphasizes the responsibility of each individual before God. Every person is called to live faithfully and righteously, and each is accountable for his or her own response to God. Even while announcing judgment, Ezekiel brings a message of hope to a people who seemed helpless and without a future. He proclaims that the righteous and holy God will ultimately restore His people, return them to their homeland, and restore His dwelling place among them.

The book can be divided into three major sections:

1. Oracles of Warning (Chapters 1–24)
   Ezekiel warns Israel of the coming judgment and explains the spiritual and moral reasons for the destruction of Jerusalem.
2. Oracles against the Foreign Nations (Chapters 25–32)
   These chapters contain prophecies against the surrounding nations that have opposed, oppressed, or rejoiced over the downfall of God’s people.
3. Oracles of Hope and Restoration (Chapters 33–48)
   The message turns toward repentance, restoration, and hope. Ezekiel proclaims the renewal of Israel, the restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the abiding presence of God among His people.

One of the most famous passages in the book is Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones (Chapter 37). God commands Ezekiel to prophesy over the bones, and they are restored to life. The vision symbolizes the restoration of Israel and ultimately points to the power of God to bring life where there appears to be only death and hopelessness.

This passage holds a particularly important place in the Orthodox liturgical tradition. The reading of the dry bones is appointed for Holy Saturday Matins, where it serves as a powerful proclamation of God’s victory over death and anticipates the Resurrection of Christ.