Ezekiel

[Clovis]

*Oh my goodness! This is the most oppressive thing I’ve ever read. Unlike many who read it taking God’s approach, I look at it by way of all those he is afflicting. How many clever ways are their to completely annihilate someone? The most important thing I take away from Ezekiel is not to lift my heart or boast, but in the process, don’t cut yourself down so much as to become utterly defeated either; it is a tricky business. *

 

[zemi]

*Oh my goodness! This is the most oppressive thing I’ve ever read. Unlike many who read it taking God’s approach, I look at it by way of all those he is afflicting. How many clever ways are their to completely annihilate someone? The most important thing I take away from Ezekiel is not to lift my heart or boast, but in the process, don’t cut yourself down so much as to become utterly defeated either; it is a tricky business. *

Ehm… I guess I sort of missed your question

 

[savedsinner]

*Oh my goodness! This is the most oppressive thing I’ve ever read. Unlike many who read it taking God’s approach, I look at it by way of all those he is afflicting. How many clever ways are their to completely annihilate someone? The most important thing I take away from Ezekiel is not to lift my heart or boast, but in the process, don’t cut yourself down so much as to become utterly defeated either; it is a tricky business. *

You have to keep in mind who the book was written for, and why it was written.
Here is a summary.

According to the prophet, the reason for the captivities that had already occurred, as well as for the one in store for the people left in Jerusalem, is the people’s defiance of Yahweh’s laws. Because Ezekiel believes that Yahweh rules supreme over all the nations of the earth, any violation of Yahweh’s commands without appropriate punishment constitutes an infringement upon the deity’s honor. Such violations are serious matters to Ezekiel, evidenced by the fact that his references to punishments are usually followed by the words “Then you will know that I am the Lord.”

Jerusalem must be destroyed because of its sins. In his enumeration of these sins, Ezekiel includes both moral and ceremonial transgressions, but he noticeably places the greater emphasis on matters pertaining to the ceremonial. He condemns the worship of idols that represent foreign deities, and he severely censures people who eat forbidden meat or violate any of the other rules having to do with the conduct of worship. Coming into direct contact with that which is unclean contaminates Yahweh’s sanctuary and profanes his holy name, which Yahweh will not tolerate.