The prophet Ezekiel is one of the major prophets in the Old Testament. Scholars do not agree as to which locality he spent most of his time. Quite likely he received his call in Babylonia during the exile of Israel in the Sixth Century B.C. He was called to be a spokesman for God both among the exiles and to the Judeans who remained in Palestine and in Jerusalem in particular.

He is mostly known for his prophecy in the Valley of the Dry Bones. The Almighty asks the question: “Can these bones live?” Indeed they can giving thus direct hope to those who had lost their temple and their country. Ultimately, Israel returned to Palestine and Jerusalem.

Chapters 1-24 refer to the burning city of Jerusalem. Prior to the Exile, Israel was firmly convinced that their city and their temple could never be destroyed. Even prophets joined in the chorus proclaiming the eternal presence of the Holy City.

Ezekiel prophesies that the city will burn as depicted in the panel below the figure in the window. Indeed Jerusalem fell in 586 B.C. and most of its population was deported to Babylon. The city and the temple were completely destroyed affirming the prophecy of Ezekiel.