Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel

Ezekiel prophesied: overview Ezekiel prophesied: overview – To the Southern Kingdom (Judah) captives in Babylon, as Jerusalem was falling – Of the glory of the Lord leaving Jerusalem & returning to Jerusalem Combat optimism of short captivity – Jerusalem be destroyed Combat optimism of short captivity – Jerusalem be destroyed Combat despair among Jews – There is hope, will be restored Combat despair among Jews – There is hope, will be restored The captivity of God’s people and the destruction of Jerusalem were punishments from God for their rebellion into sinful and idolatrous living (7:8, 26; 9:9-10). The captivity of God’s people and the destruction of Jerusalem were punishments from God for their rebellion into sinful and idolatrous living (7:8, 26; 9:9-10). Three main themes of Ezekiel: Three main themes of Ezekiel: – Fall of Jerusalem – Distinguishing the Holy & the Profane – Return from Captivity Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel

The appearance of God’s glory to Ezekiel—“a wheel in the middle of a wheel” (1:16, 28) The appearance of God’s glory to Ezekiel—“a wheel in the middle of a wheel” (1:16, 28) The call of Ezekiel to prophesy (2:1-3:27) The call of Ezekiel to prophesy (2:1-3:27) The feeding of the scroll book to Ezekiel (2:8-3:3) The feeding of the scroll book to Ezekiel (2:8-3:3) The release of Ezekiel’s tongue from the roof of his mouth when he said, “Thus says the Lord” (3:26-27) The release of Ezekiel’s tongue from the roof of his mouth when he said, “Thus says the Lord” (3:26-27) The instruction to Ezekiel to lie on his left side for Israel, then right side for Judah (4:4-8) The instruction to Ezekiel to lie on his left side for Israel, then right side for Judah (4:4-8) The cutting of Ezekiel’s hair showed the judgment of God upon His people (5:1-17) The cutting of Ezekiel’s hair showed the judgment of God upon His people (5:1-17) The departing of God’s glory from the temple as a result of Israel’s sins (9:3; 10:18; 11:23) The departing of God’s glory from the temple as a result of Israel’s sins (9:3; 10:18; 11:23) Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel

The rebuke of lying prophets who promised peace when there was no peace (13:8-16) The rebuke of lying prophets who promised peace when there was no peace (13:8-16) The search of God for a man to stand in the gap and finding none (22:29-31) The search of God for a man to stand in the gap and finding none (22:29-31) The death of Ezekiel’s wife as a message to the Israelites (24:15-27) The death of Ezekiel’s wife as a message to the Israelites (24:15-27) The details prophecy of the destruction of Tyre (chap ) The details prophecy of the destruction of Tyre (chap ) The valley of dry bones restored to life as a prophetic foreshadowing of the return of Israel from captivity (37:1-14) The valley of dry bones restored to life as a prophetic foreshadowing of the return of Israel from captivity (37:1-14) The return of God’s glory to the temple (43:1-5) The return of God’s glory to the temple (43:1-5) Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel

All Scripture is inspired of God! All Scripture is inspired of God! – “Says the Lord” or “Thus says the Lord” – 210 times – “He said to me” or “He spoke to me” – 41 times – “The Word of the Lord came to me, saying…” – 51 times – “The hand of the Lord was upon me” – 7 times – “Hear the Word of the Lord” – 10 times – Average: 1 out of every 4 verses in the book emphasizes this truth – The message of Ezekiel (yea, the whole Bible) is from God! Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel

God’s watchmen have grave responsibility (3:16-21; 33:1-16)! God’s watchmen have grave responsibility (3:16-21; 33:1-16)! Idolatry has tremendously dangerous and far- reaching effects! Idolatry has tremendously dangerous and far- reaching effects! – Their idolatry could be traced back to their sojourn in Egypt (20:6-8) & to the wilderness (20:15-17) – “Their eyes were fixed on their fathers’ idols” (20:24) – Idolatry had taken on new forms in Canaan (20:27-29) – Through idolatry they abandoned their reason for existence to “be like the heathen” (20:30-32) – The people had “set up their idols in their hearts” (14:1-11) Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel

God acts “for the sake of His name” (20:9, 14, 22, 39, 44)! God acts “for the sake of His name” (20:9, 14, 22, 39, 44)! – “For my name’s sake” or “My holy name” – 13 times – He deals in keeping with His essential nature – He does not act according to man’s evil ways or corrupt doings (20:44) God’s people must distinguish between the holy and the profane (22:23-29)! God’s people must distinguish between the holy and the profane (22:23-29)! There is great folly in hearing but not obeying God’s Word (33:30-32)! There is great folly in hearing but not obeying God’s Word (33:30-32)! God looks to His shepherds to care for the sheep and will severely judge the irresponsible ones (34:1-10)! God looks to His shepherds to care for the sheep and will severely judge the irresponsible ones (34:1-10)! The terrible nature and tragedy of sin, destroying both men and nations, is devastating! The terrible nature and tragedy of sin, destroying both men and nations, is devastating! Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel

Individual responsibility before God Individual responsibility before God – God sees souls individually (18:4) Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel

Believe Jesus is God’s Son – Mark 16:16 Believe Jesus is God’s Son – Mark 16:16 Repent of sinful living – 2 Peter 3:9 Repent of sinful living – 2 Peter 3:9 Confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10:9-10 Confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10:9-10 Be immersed into Christ – Galatians 3:26-27 Be immersed into Christ – Galatians 3:26-27 – Sins are washed away – Acts 22:16 – Added to the Lord’s church – Acts 2:47 – Name is written in heaven – Hebrews 12:23 Serve the Lord faithfully – 1 Corinthians 15:58 Serve the Lord faithfully – 1 Corinthians 15:58 Keys to Being Saved