The Book of Ezekiel, Part 1 – Discussion Questions

Questions for Discussion:

1. What is your prior experience with the Book of Ezekiel? Have you read it before? Did you like it? Why or why not?
2. What makes the Book of Ezekiel different from other prophetic texts in the Hebrew Bible? Why do you think these differences exist?
3. Imagine you are one of the people who were deported along with Ezekiel in 597 BCE from Judah to Babylonia. How would you feel about the loss of your home? How would you feel if it meant you could no longer talk to or worship your God? How would you feel about those left behind in the land?
4. Biblical prophecy begins to take a shift in the Book of Ezekiel after the exile from the rhetoric of threatening future punishment to promising future restoration. Why do you think that is? Which do you think is more effective at getting people to change their present behavior?
5. What do you make of the imagery in Ezekiel’s first vision in Chapter 1 and following? Is it scary? Strange? Interesting? Why?
6. Ezekiel continually shows that prophetic visions are uncomfortable and unpleasant to experience. How do you think you would feel if you were to receive a vision like the ones he does? How would you write about them?