The Gospel of Ezekiel.

A pivotal period in ancient history, set in the years before Babylon's dominance over the land of Judah. In 627 BC, the region was in turmoil, marked by political instability and moral decay. The text focuses on the emergence of prophetic voices, particularly that of Jeremiah, amid this tumultuous backdrop. Jeremiah, depicted as a solitary figure in Jerusalem, delivered a message of impending doom to the people of Judah if they did not repent and return to righteousness. Unlike the defiant rulers in Jerusalem, Jeremiah's countenance reflected despair rather than defiance. While contemporaries like Ezekiel shared their prophecies among the exiles, Jeremiah chose to stay in Jerusalem, delivering his urgent message to its beleaguered inhabitants. Meanwhile, King Nebuchadnezzar II of the Neo-Babylonian Empire rose to power. His rule was marked by expansion and grandeur, symbolised by the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar's decision to besiege Jerusalem was a calculated move to quell rebellion. King Jehoiakim of Judah's audacious defiance against Babylon provoked Nebuchadnezzar's wrath, resulting in the siege of Jerusalem, the exile of Jehoiakim, and the installation of Zedekiah as a puppet king—all part of Nebuchadnezzar's calculated strategy to assert control and consolidate Babylonian dominance. In the second wave of deportations, Ezekiel, along with his wife, found himself exiled to the Khabar Canal. The region, known as the Fertile Crescent, contrasted with their heartache, as it buzzed with agricultural activity. Despite their captive status, the Exiles couldn't help but be awed by Babylon's city splendor.

The passage goes on to describe Ezekiel's profound burden as he witnessed rampant idolatry, immorality, temple defilement, and false prophecy among his people. This served as a catalyst for a divine encounter that Ezekiel experienced by the River Khabar.

Ezekiel's vision was not one of wrath, but rather a revelation of divine order and overwhelming holiness. He saw cherubim and seraphim, celestial beings that symbolised divine authority, servanthood, human intellect, and prophetic vision. Their presence was accompanied by extraordinary wheels within wheels and an expanse resembling a sea of glass, reminiscent of God's covenant promise. Above the cherubim rested a throne, upon which a figure with the appearance of a man sat.

Overwhelmed by the vision, Ezekiel fell as if dead, but he heard the voice of God, marking the beginning of his prophetic ministry. In the midst of a sinful and hardened society, Ezekiel stood distinct and untarnished. He internalized the divine word symbolized by a scroll and embarked on a mission to embody and communicate God's message to his people, a mission demanding much of him in the face of challenges and hardened hearts.

Ezekiel's calling, his intimate connection with God's word, and his commitment to turning the hearts of his people back to God. It draws parallels between Ezekiel and other biblical figures who received divine revelations, such as John the Apostle on the island of Patmos, emphasizing their roles as messengers of God's word. Ultimately, it underscores the enduring theme of divine guidance and the prophet's duty to convey God's message to a wayward world.