Search The Scriptures —Study 16 — Ezekiel 23

Study 16 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 23

This chapter resembles chapter 16. Samaria and Jerusalem are condemned for their unfaithfulness in seeking alliances with foreign nations and their gods. Their conduct is represented in unusually realistic figures to make it appear how loathsome and repulsive it has been.

1.     What is the main content of each of the four divisions of this chapter, namely verses 1-10, 11-21, 22-35 and 36-49?

2.      Trace how Jerusalem walked in the way of Samaria and even exceeded her in wickedness, and therefore must drain to the dregs the same cup of judgment. What were the origins of here idolatrous tendencies, both on the historical and on the religious level (verses 8, 19, 27, 35)? What warning does this contain for God’s people today?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 15 — Ezekiel 22

Study 15 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 22

This chapter falls into three divisions: (a) description of the sins committed within the city (verses 1-16); (b) the certainty of judgment (verses 17:22); and (c) and indictment of all classes of the community (verses 23-31).

1.     Group the sins enumerated in verses 1-12 under the following two heads: (a) religious, and (b) social. Notice how, with the loss of a true conception of God, there follows the loss of filial piety, moral purity, and civic justice. How far are the sins mentioned here prevalent among us today?

2.     What four classes are mentioned in verses 24-29, and what charges are made against them? What is the saddest feature of the situation, as stated in verse 30? Cf. verse 19 (‘all become dross’) and Je. 5:1-5.

Notes

1.     Verse 4. ‘Your day’: i.e., the day of your judgment.

2.     Verse 13. Striking the hands was an expression of honour. Cf. 21:14, 17.

3.     Verse 30. ‘Build up the wall’ i.e., act as a bastion against the inroads of wickedness.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — Ezekiel 20: 45 – 21:32

Study 14 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 20: 45 – 21:32

The prophet is bidden to prophesy (a) against the south (of Palestine) 20:45-49), and (b) against Jerusalem and the land of Israel (21:1-17). The sword of the Lord is drawn from its sheath (21:1-7), sharpened and polished (21: 8-13), and smites repeatedly in its deadly work (21:14-17).  In 21:18-27, the explanation is given.  The king of Babylon is seen, standing at the parting of the ways, seeking guidance by divination----Ammon or Jerusalem? The decision falls for Jerusalem, the city is taken, and the king (Zedekiah) slain.  The closing verses of the chapter (verses 28-32) are a short prophecy of utter doom upon Ammon as well.

1.     Who kindles the fire? Whose sword is drawn? Yet it was by a heathen king that the judgment was effected. What does this teach us concerning God’s methods of accomplishing His purposes of judgment in the world? Cf. Je. 25:9 (‘my servant’); Is. 25: 1-4.

2.     When human leaders and confidences all fail and are overthrown, where can we still look for the establishment of a reign of peace? See 21:25-27; cf. Ps. 2:6-9; Lk. 21:25-28.

Notes

1.     21:21 refers to three well-known forms of divination practiced by the Babylonians: drawing marked arrows from a quiver (or throwing them in the air to see how they fall); consulting the teraphim, the ancestral household gods, in some form of necromancy; and studying the marks on the entrails of sacrificial victims.

2.     21:27. ‘Whose right is’: i. e., the Davidic Messiah who is entitled to the kingship. Cf. Gn. 49:10

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Search The Scriptures —Study 13 — Ezekiel 20: 1-44

Study 13 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 20:1-44

This section is a review of Israel’s history (verses 5:31), with a prophecy of what God will yet do (verses 32-44).  The review of history covers (a) the time in Egypt (verses 5-9); (b) in the wilderness (verses 10-17 and 18-26); and (c) in the land of Canaan (verses 27-31). With verses 1-3, cf. 14:1, 2.

1.     Analyze the repeated poetical pattern found in verses 5-9, 10-14, 15-17, 18-22. What restrained God from pouring out His wrath? What does this reveal of God’s character? How does it show what is the one and only guarantee of our salvation? Cf. 1 Sa. 12:22.

2.     To what tow conclusions does God say He will ultimately bring His people Israel (verse 42-44)? Has a like conviction been wrought in us?

Notes

1.     Verse 25 is a Hebrew way of saying, ‘I gave them good statutes but they had a bad effect; I thereby condemned those who were disobedient and I defiled those who performed human sacrifices.’ Cf. Rom. 5:20.

2.     Verse 37. ‘Pass under the rod’: the eastern shepherd makes his sheep pass one by one under his staff, held horizontally, to count and examine them.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — Ezekiel 18 and 19

Study 12 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 18 and 19

The teaching of national retribution in chapter 16 and other passages seems to have raised doubts as to the justice of God’s dealings with individuals (18:2, 29). This is the subject of chapter 18. Chapter 19 is a lament.

1.     Two fundamental principles are stated in 18:4 in answer to the people’s complaint in 18:2. How would you express these in your own words? What verses in the New Testament can you think of which emphasize the same ideas?

2.     In the remainder of chapter 18 two questions are answered: (a) Is each man responsible to God for his own acts, and for these alone (see verses 5-20)?  (b) If a man turn from his past way of life, will that past affect God’s judgment upon him (see verses 21-29)? How does this teaching reveal not only God’s justice, but also His mercy? Why does it lead on immediately to the call to repentance of verses 30-32?

3.     Chapter 19 is a lament over three of the kings of Judah.  Try to identify these by comparing verses 3 and 4 with 2 Ki. 23:31-34; verses 5-9 with 2 Ki. 24:8-15; and verses 10-14 with 2 Ki. 25:4-11. What did they all have in common?

Notes

1.     18:6, 11, 15. ‘Eat upon the mountains’: i.e., join in idolatrous forms of worship. Cf. 6:1-4.

2.     19:14. The fire which brought destruction sprang from the ruler himself, i.e., Zedekiah.  See 17:19-21.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — Ezekiel 17

Study 11 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 17

In 588 BC Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadrezzar who, nine years previously, had installed him as puppet-king of Judah, at the time when Jehoiachim had been taken captive to Babylon.  His rebellion encouraged false hopes among the exiles of a speedy end to their captivity, but Ezekiel silenced these with this parable about the eagle, the cedar and the vine.  The first eagle (verse 3) was Nebuchadrezzar, removing the Davidic King Jeha Johoiachin (the cedar twig, verse 4). Those who remained in Jerusalem under Zedekiah (the vine, verse 6) flourished for a time, but then turned towards the king of Egypt (the second eagle, verse 7), whose influence caused them to wither away.

1.     What sin is the prophet specifically rebuking here?  With verses 13-16, cf. 2 Ch. 36:13; and with verses 7 and 15, cf. Je. 37:5-8.

2.     How do verses 22-24 show that neither the ambitious designs nor the perfidies of men can frustrate the purposes of God? Notice the emphatic and repeated ‘I’. Cf. Pr. 19:21; Is. 46:8-13.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — Ezekiel 16

Study 10 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 16

In this vivid allegory the prophet seeks to break down the pride of Jerusalem. She appears as the bride of the Lord God, who loved her from infancy, and did everything for her, but whose love she had required with persistent and shameful idolatry. The chapter falls into four sections (i) Jerusalem as a child and as a bride (verses 1-14); (ii) her sin (verses 15-34) (iii) her judgment (verses 35-52); (iv) her restoration (verses 53-63).

1.     What was God’s complaint against Jerusalem?  With verse 22 and 32, cf. Dt. 32:15-18. Notice also that God regards her sin as greater than that of Samaria and of Sodom. Verse 46-52 and cf. Mt. 11:23, 24.

2.     How may the teaching of this chapter be applied to one who has been truly converted, but has backslidden? What can we learn here for our warning of the peril and folly of the sin of unfaithfulness? Cf. Je. 2:13, 19; Jas. 4:4-10.

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