Introduction -- Wheels within wheels : Ezekiel's call vision (1:1-3:15) -- Theatre of the doomed : Ezekiel's first year in ministry (3:16-5:17) -- Exit the glory (8:1-11:25) -- History with attitude (16:1-63; 23:1-49; 20:1-49) -- Who then can be saved? (14:12-23; 18:1-32; 33:10-20) -- The turning point (24:1-27; 33:1-33) -- 'Then the nations will know that I am the Lord' (25:1-32:32) -- The gospel according to Ezekiel (34:1-37:28) -- The glory of God revealed to the world and restored to his people (38:1-48:35).
Ezekiel comes to us as a stranger from a distant time and land. Who is this priest who, on his thirtieth birthday, has a dazzling vision of God on a wheeled throne? Who is this odd prophet who engages in outlandish street theater and speaks for God on international affairs? Who is this seer who paints murals of apocalyptic doom and then of a restored temple bursting with emblems of paradise? Are we bound to take this literally, reading prophet and newspaper side by side? Or is there a better way?