Ezekiel saw 'da wheel, way up in the middle of the sky!

As we move ahead in reading the Bible, one book at a time, we come to the great prophet Ezekiel.  

The book has many harsh words and terrifying images; yet it also has powerful visions of hope and new life, such as the story of dry bones coming to life.  How do we move beyond being bewildered though?  I offer that knowing the story of Ezekiel opens up some neat and potentially deep connections with this prophet.  For he was someone who had to discover God's call precisely when he thought his life's plan was ruined.

Seven daily readings to work through this book:

1:1-28 (Call)  

5:1-17 (Judgment)  

10:1-22 (Glory departing Jerusalem temple)  

34:1-17 (Promise of shepherd)  

37:1-14 (Dry bones)  

40 (Vision of temple; any part of it)  

47:1-12 (restoration of creation)

Questions for discussion

1.  What are hopes you had for your life when you were a child that have not played themselves out in a disappointing way?  I.e., what are the "digging ditches in the mud 500 miles from my home" parts of your life?

2.  What are hopes you had for your life when you were a child that have played themselves out, but in ways you couldn't expect.  I.e., what are the "serving as priest without a temple" parts of your life?

3.  What are times in life where you have discovered a purpose even when it wasn't part of your plan?

4.  What are times in your life where you haven't understood what was happening at the time, only later to see how God was working?

5.  Do you feel you have more of a call in life to be the doom-sayer when people don't see how big the problem is...or to speak a word of hope when people are catastrophizing?

6.  What did you make of the fact that the book ends with the restoration of creation?  What did you make of the fact that before creation is restored, worship has to be restored?

7.  Do you ever feel that God gives you visions of what the future will look like?