Eze 1:1-2 | MHM | STEP | Ezekiel's First Vision by the River Chebar This passage describes the special circumstances when Ezekiel received his first vision from God. The exact time and place are given to show that this was a real, historical event. It reminds us that we should remember and treasure the moments when God makes Himself known to us. These memories can encourage us to be thankful and to share what God has done in our lives with others (Genesis 13:4 ). v. 1 : The vision happened in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day. Some think this was Ezekiel’s thirtieth birthday, the age when a priest would begin his work. Since he could not serve as a priest in Jerusalem, God called him to be a prophet instead. Others believe it was the thirtieth year since an important event, like the finding of the book of the Law during King Josiah’s time. The vision came while Ezekiel was by the river Chebar, among the Jewish captives in Babylon. It was probably on a Sabbath day, which shows God honors His special day by revealing Himself, even when His people are far from home (Revelation 1:10; Lamentations 1:7 ).

‏ Ezekiel 1:1-2

Ezekiel's First Vision by the River Chebar

This passage describes the special circumstances when Ezekiel received his first vision from God. The exact time and place are given to show that this was a real, historical event. It reminds us that we should remember and treasure the moments when God makes Himself known to us. These memories can encourage us to be thankful and to share what God has done in our lives with others (Genesis 13:4 ^a).

v. 1: The vision happened in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day. Some think this was Ezekiel’s thirtieth birthday, the age when a priest would begin his work. Since he could not serve as a priest in Jerusalem, God called him to be a prophet instead. Others believe it was the thirtieth year since an important event, like the finding of the book of the Law during King Josiah’s time. The vision came while Ezekiel was by the river Chebar, among the Jewish captives in Babylon. It was probably on a Sabbath day, which shows God honors His special day by revealing Himself, even when His people are far from home (Revelation 1:10; Lamentations 1:7 ^b).

v. 2: The vision took place during a sad time. Ezekiel and many others were captives in Babylon, by the river Chebar. Being in captivity was hard, but God sent a prophet to be with them and teach them. This was a great mercy, because God’s word can comfort us even when we suffer. Sometimes God allows us to lose ordinary blessings so that we will value and listen to His special messages. God gave Ezekiel this vision in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, after the people began to truly miss God’s help (Jeremiah 24:5; Psalm 94:12 ^c; Psalm 74:9 ^d).