In this exciting new sermon series, we will be exegeting the literarily and historically complex Book of Ezekiel, and as we begin our series, we explore the historical/political context as well as the religious context of Israel. Here's the TLDR summary of the context of Ezekiel: The geopolitical context of Israel (the people of God) was that they experienced utter defeat in the hands of the major powers of their day--Neo-Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon--and that they were thrown into exile in absolute humiliation. Religiously, Israel was in utter corruption; completely failing as the covenant people of God and deserving of God's judgment and accountability. Israel is drowning in sin. What will God do? He opens up the heavens and intervenes. He calls a prophet and speaks his mighty word through him, and shows the destitute nation a vision of hope of a way out of their sin and death into a newness of resurrection life. We are so thankful for the gospel good news we find in this book, and can't wait to unpack the rest of the book with our church family!