Ezekiel
The Symbolic Prophet
Symbols
Ezekiel using symbolism to get his message across, such as shaving his head, lying on his left side for 390 days and on his right for 40, or packing his bags to leave captivity..
A Divided People
Ezekiel speaks the word of God to a divided nation, some to Jerusalem and others in Babylon.
Examples
Dry Bones
"He asked me: Son of man, can these bones come to life? "Lord God," I answered, "you alone know that". Then he said to me: Prophesy over these bones and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of The Lord!" (Ezekiel 37: 1-4)
The Shaving of his Head
"As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword and use it like a barber's razor, passing it over your head and beard. Then take a set of scales and divide the hair you have to cut". (Ezekiel 5:1-2)
Ezekiel packing his Bags
"I did as I was told. During the day I brought out my baggage as though it were that of exile, a dat evening I dug a hole through the wall with my hand and, while they looked on, set out in the darkness, shouldering my burden" (Ezekiel 12:7)