The author opens by stating "I make no apology for selecting only a few chapters from Ezekiel. It would not be possible to deal with the whole book within the compass of a small book." The first 34 chapters of Ezekiel are devoted almost entirely to condemnation of Israel and the threat of judgment. Even here, however, the theme of restoration is not entirely forgotten. Glimpses of hope are scattered through these chapters like precious pearls in a turbulent sea of Divine fury. There are in fact some 52 verses devoted to restoration, about six percent of the total 880 verses. In the later chapters, 35-48, the transformation of the land and people is the dominant theme. Only chapters 35 on Edom and 38-39 on Gog are devoted to judgment, but these form the backdrop to Israel's restoration in chapters 36 and 39:25-29.