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{{DOD-August}}
The Book of [[Ezekiel]] is divided into three obvious sections, following the [[prophet]]'s call in chapters 1--3. (1) [[God]]'s [[judgment]] on [[Jerusalem]] (chapters 4--24); (2) [[God]]'s [[judgment]] on the surrounding nations (chapters 25--32); and (3) [[God]]'s restoration of the [[Jews]] in the kingdom (chapters 33--48). Chapters 1--24 were all given before the siege of [[Jerusalem]]; chapters 25--32 during the siege; and chapters 33--48 after the siege. Though the [[prophet]] was in distant [[Babylon]], he was able to see events in [[Jerusalem]] through the power of the [[Spirit]] of [[God]].
[[Ezekiel]] 's opening message to the exiles, who were hoping for a speedy return to [[Jerusalem]], was a graphic warning that [[Jerusalem]] was about to be destroyed; that they would soon be joined by other captives; and that their captivity would last at least 40 years.
As a sign of famine, [[Ezekiel]] lived on loathsome bread. Throughout the siege he lay on one side, either continuously or for the greater part of each day, which, with famine diet, meant great discomfort.
When the siege is finished [[Ezekiel]] is commanded, as a further symbol of the fate of [[Jerusalem]]'s inhabitants, to shave off his hair, burn part of it, and scatter the rest of it to the winds.
Chapters 6 and 7 record a sort of dirge over the destruction and desolation of the land of [[Israel]]. The main point was that the [[Jews]] would, by this terrible punishment, come to know that [[God]] is [[God]].
