Ezekiel

1.Historical background and purpose of the prophet:

Ezekiel was carried off to exile in Babylon after the city fell a second time to Nebuchadnezzar in 597BC. His first vision is probably to be dated in the year 593-92BC, and latest date given for an oracle is probably 571-70BC. So, his ministry is about twenty years long. 
The book of Ezekiel can be divided into four sections; the call and commission of Ezekiel(Ch.1-3), the judgement on Judah(Ch.4-24), the judgement on the Gentiles(Ch.25-32), and the restoration of Israel(Ch.33-48).
Ezekiel prophesied the judgement against Judah and false prophets, and judgement upon the nations surrounding Israel; Ammon,Moab,Edom,Philistia,Tyre, and Sidon.
By the way, with the fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel's attention turns to the future restoration of Israel. He views the return of the glory of the Lord to the temple from the east(43:1-12).

2.What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

Even after God declared that no hope remains in Israel because he will unleash His anger against her,and the end was there(7:2-3), God still ask them to repent to turn back and live(18:30-32)
"The end is here!~ No hope remains, for I will unleash my anger against you. I will call you to account for all your detestable sins. I will turn my eyes away and show no pity.(7:2-4)"
"Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn form your sins. Don't let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don't want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!(18:30-32)
Here we can meet our God who eagerly want not to destroy us. And, He so kindly teach us how we can get His forgiveness. 

3.What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

In the verses of 34:7-16, God says that "I will rescue my flock from their mouths, the sheep will no longer be their prey.~ I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace."  And, in the verses 34:22-24, we can find He has a plan to send us Jesus; "So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another. And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them. 
And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among my people. I, the Lord, have spoken!"

4.Personal application:

If I feel now is the most dark and gloom season of my life, it means now God is within me and he is telling me continuously how I can find the way to overcome this darkness. And, God sent me My shepherd,Jesus, and in any situations, he will be a guidance of me. Everything that I need to do and I can do is just focus on Jesus and follow to His footprint.

5.Point of Passion Assignment

I want to be an evidence of existence of God to unbelievers. For that, I have to live a joyful life everyday because I have saved and renewed from the past sinful life. Then the unbeliever can see the evidence of God's existence, and they will want to believe in God, too.  -end-