What is the primary purpose of the book of Ezekiel?

The primary purpose of the book of Ezekiel is indeed to urge the exiles in Babylon to repent of their rebellion. Ezekiel was a prophet during the Babylonian exile, and through a series of vivid visions and messages, he sought to remind the Israelites of their covenant relationship with God. The book emphasizes themes of judgment due to Israel's unfaithfulness, as well as the hope for restoration and the promise of a renewed covenant.

Ezekiel communicates the need for the exiles to turn back to God and recognize the consequences of their actions, promoting a call for repentance and a return to faithful worship. Additionally, Ezekiel contains a message of comfort, reassuring the exiles that God has not abandoned them, and it foretells a future restoration of Israel. This prophetic call is central to understanding the overall context and purpose of the book.

Other options, while they may pertain to aspects of the broader biblical narrative, do not convey the specific mission Ezekiel was tasked with during an incredibly pivotal time for the Israelites.