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lesson 24 EZEKIEL I. BACKGROUND 1. Author - Ezekiel, the priest and prophet: 1:3; 2:1-7 2. Date - the events took place from 592 to 570 B.C.: 1:2; 29:17 3. Setting - In 592 B.C., when Ezekiel began prophesying judgment to the exiles, the Temple treasure and all but the poorest people and their puppet king Zadekiah had been carried away to Babylon. Six years later Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, the Temple and carried away most of the remaining Jews to Babylon. There Ezekiel continued to prophesy, this time mainly a message of restoration and hope. II. PURPOSE OF THE BOOK 1. Key Verses: 20:38-44; 28:21-26; 36:17-28; 39:7; 27-29 2. Theme: God will be known and treated as holy by His people and the nations. This will happen after and as a result of His judgment and restoration of Israel. 1) God will make Himself known primarily through Ezekiel's: a. Prophecies: most of the book b. Visions: ch. 1 - 2; 8 - 11; 37; 40 - 48 c. Dramas: ch. 4 -5; 12; 24; 37 2) God will be known through His judgment: ch. 1 - 35 a. On His people: ch. 1 - 24, 33 - 35 b. On His leaders: ch. 34, etc. c. On the nations: ch. 25 - 32 d. Because of idolatry-adultery: 5:6 -12, etc. 3) God will be known through His grace: ch. 36 - 48 a. In preserving a remnant: 6:8; 14:22 b. In restoring His relationship with Israel: 11:20; 14:11; 34:30; 36:28; 37:23-27 c. In restoring a leader: 34:23-24; 37:24-25; etc. d. In restoring the Temple: ch. 40 - 49 4) God will be known through His Spirit in: a. Ezekiel: 2:2ff; 24:24ff b. The exiles: 11:23-25 c. Future Believers: 37:14; 36:26ff; 39:28ff III. ABOUT THE MESSIAH 1. The Shepherd: 34:23; 37:24 2. The Prince: 34:24; 37:25 3. Servant David: 34:23-24; 37:24 4. One King: 37:22; 24 5. A new spirit given: 11:19; 18:31 6. His new Temple: ch. 40 - 48 IV. APPLICATIONS- LESSONS 1. Since God uses judgment to be known: 1) Listen for the warnings He always gives: ch. 18, 33 2) Repent and live: ch. 18, 33 3) Don't blame others for your punishment: ch. 18, 33 4) Remember God takes no pleasure in judgment: ch. 18, 33 5) His judgment is just: 33:17 2. Since God uses grace to be known: 1) Realize you can't save yourself: 11:16-20 2) Be comforted and humble: 14:21ff 3) Realize you can have a new heart, spirit - there is hope: 11:19ff 3. Since God uses men to be known: 1) Be a listener: 2:15 2) Examine their teachings carefully: 22:26; Acts 17:11-12 3) Be one of God's speakers: 33:2-9 4) Look for God in people: ch. 4 - 5 4. Since God uses His Holy Spirit to be known: 1) We can do God's will: 36:27ff; Galatians 5:22-23 2) We can know God: 37:13-14; Hebrews 8:8ff 3) We have fellowship, sonship with God: 36:28; Rom. 8:15ff 4) We will never be alone: 39:28-29 5) We know we are forgiven: 36:33; Hebrews 10:15-18 EZEKIEL QUESTIONS 1. How does the book of Ezekiel bear witness to Jesus? 2. How does it encourage you to persevere in hard times? 3. How would you describe the God Ezekiel knew? Why? 4. How is He similar to or different from the God of the New Testament? 5. What was the main sin Israel was judged for? 6. How could we commit it today? 7. What are the main points of chapters 18 and 33? 8. Why must these points be taken to heart by us? 9. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in Ezekiel? 10. Does this differ much from His role in the New Testament? 11. What will help us to understand chapters 40 - 48? 12. What do they mean? |