Dreaming with Ezekiel: Visions, Restoration, and the Character of God

The prophets of the exile. The phrase itself carries a weight, a sorrow, a quiet desperation born of captivity. Isaiah and Jeremiah warned, and their warnings were fulfilled. Now, we turn to Ezekiel and Daniel, men set apart to deliver messages of hope and restoration to a people adrift. As Dave Butler and Grace so aptly observed on Don’t Miss This, Ezekiel is a dreamer, a visionary, and his book resonates with a psychedelic intensity that anticipates the visions of the Revelation. To call Ezekiel a dreamer is not to diminish his prophetic calling, but to recognize the divine spark of imagination that fuels it.

We Latter-day Saints know something of exile. We understand the sting of persecution, the challenge of maintaining faith amidst a world that often misunderstands or actively opposes the Restoration. Ezekiel’s experience of a people scattered and broken finds echoes in our own history, and in the present challenges faced by believers across the globe. The Lord, however, does not abandon His children in their darkest hours.

But it’s not merely the context of exile that renders Ezekiel so vital. As Dave rightly pointed out, the true purpose of scripture, perhaps *the* true purpose, lies in unveiling the character of God. How easily do we settle for a God of rules and regulations, a distant and impersonal lawgiver? Ezekiel peels back the layers of formality to reveal a God of immense power, boundless compassion, and unwavering faithfulness. The visions, the symbolism—even the seemingly bizarre and unsettling imagery—all serve to illuminate His divine nature. The Lord's dealings with Israel, their failings and His persistent efforts to draw them back, are a parable for our own lives.

Consider the dry bones of Ezekiel 37 – a stark and potent symbol of spiritual death and resurrection. It is a promise that even when we feel most lifeless, most disconnected from the Lord, His power can breathe new life into us. It is a confirmation of the Atonement’s reach, a testament to His willingness to restore and redeem. And what of the river flowing from the temple in Ezekiel 47, bringing life and abundance to the desolate lands? It is a foreshadowing of the blessings that flow from the temple—the covenants, the ordinances, the very essence of eternal life.

This isn’t merely an academic exercise. It’s a call to action. It’s an invitation to cultivate our own visionary spirits, to seek out the voice of the Lord amidst the noise of the world, and to trust in His power to heal and restore. Don’t be content with a superficial understanding of scripture. Wrestle with the difficult passages, meditate on the symbolism, and allow the Spirit to illuminate the character of God.

The challenges of our day demand a renewed vision, a deeper understanding of the divine plan. Let Ezekiel’s prophecies inspire us to embrace the prophetic call that resides within each of us, to be dreamers of a better world, and to be faithful witnesses of the Lord’s power to restore and redeem.

As Dave mentioned, resources for next year's Old Testament study are available at Good News Brand Co. Prepare your hearts and minds for the journey ahead.