Keys to Learning & Loving

Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel

Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel Key D A T A • 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 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). • Three main themes of Ezekiel: • Fall of Jerusalem • Distinguishing the Holy & the Profane • Return from Captivity

Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel Key E V E N T S 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 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 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 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 Key E V E N T S 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 death of Ezekiel’s wife as a message to the Israelites (24:15-27) The details prophecy of the destruction of Tyre (chap. 26-28) 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)

Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel Key T R U T H S • 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 Key T R U T H S • God’s watchmen have grave responsibility (3:16-21; 33:1-16)! • 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 Key T R U T H S • 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)! • 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)! • The terrible nature and tragedy of sin, destroying both men and nations, is devastating!

Keys to Learning & Loving Ezekiel Key T R U T H S • Individual responsibility before God • God sees souls individually (18:4)

Being Saved Keys to • Believe Jesus is God’s Son – Mark 16:16 • Repent of sinful living – 2 Peter 3:9 • Confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10:9-10 • 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

Keys to Learning & Loving