We begin a new book in our Morning Study, 1st Samuel. We'll continue on through Kings as well.
We touch on several things today - wives as rivals, how Hannah was like Abraham, and even a few minutes about the role of a Mediator. We hope you are edified today.
We wrap up the book of Ezekiel this morning discussing some lessons we're taking from the book. The discussion turns for a second to Asa,, king of Judah, discovering the scroll of the Law and realizing how much the nation was apostate from God. If Asa discovered the Law that had been lost, then the children of Israel didn't have the Word before them - depending instead upon others to tell them about it. We have the Word before us, at all times. Put another way, Judah was the servant with one talent, we are the servant with five. What does that mean for us?
The Temple Vision continues. This passage includes YHWH's portion of the land - that is, for the Temple, the Levites, and Jerusalem. The portioning of the remaining land will come in the next passage, but we realized today that the reason Ezekiel gives this prophecy is due to the fact that the people would be so long out of the land that their inheritance within the land would be forgotten.
Our look into Ezekiel's Temple Vision continues as we are introduced briefly to "The Prince." Is this the Messiah? Is it the head of the Sanhedrin? Is there another option?
Also, we see the Levites and sons of Tzadok have roles to play - in a sacrificial system. Yet, we are taught that the sacrificial system is done away with - how to explain this?
The Temple Vision continues with the return of the Glory of God that left Solomon's Temple. Now the questions begin - is this the 3rd Temple? Will Sacrifices resume? What about Yeshua being our sacrifice?
Our look at Ezekiel's Temple vision moves into the Temple itself. A short discussion on what a cherub looks like, and some architecture and Hebrew speculation, follows. The reading isn't exciting, but the video and discussion was interesting.
The video is a direct presentation from bibliaprint.com.
When teaching prophecy one must have a framework in which to place each event - but how do you build that framework? What do you do with data that doesn't seem to fit? Most frameworks fudge the data. Perhaps we should scrap that framework and search for the accurate one.
In John 3 Yeshua admonishes Nicodemus, "You are a teacher in Israel and you don't understand these things (born again of water and Spirit)?" This clearly implies that he should have always known these things; therefore, these things are recorded in the Old Testament. Here it is, in Ezekiel - and throughout the Old Testament.
We went quick on this one, but we could have filled a couple hours with cross-references to all things shepherd and sheep related. Bottom line - the shepherds ordained by God - Cohen, Levite, King, Elder - were the wicked renters, and Yeshua is the Son who will be The Shepherd. Great study today.
Several powerful lessons from today's Scripture Study in Ezekiel, but mostly centered around repentance. The biggest lesson - God takes no pleasure in destroying the wicked, He would rather everyone be saved. This chapter could almost be placed in Romans.
Judgment against Egypt Part 2. We get a rather vivid picture of the judgment that awaits the proud, those who terrorize the living - lying slain among the uncircumcised. Notably, someone is missing from these judgments.
The Judgments of Egypt, Part 1.
The Judgments of the nations around Judah wrap up with Egypt, which takes four chapters in Ezekiel. We go through two today. These judgments against Egypt begin with "the sea monster/dragon" who "made the Nile." Is this Satan, perhaps as a metaphor like Liviathan? Are the fish brought up from the river the gods of Egypt? Interesting questions to consider in a passage that should find much fulfillment in the end times.
All Tyre All The Time. Judgment is pronounced on the city of Tyre - and it isn't hard to see the parallels to our nation today. Can we avoid their fate?
In today's study we see Ezekiel using the death of his wife as a prophetic judgment against Jerusalem. How sobering is that? We are meant to apply these lessons in our lives - the one we kept saying today was quoting Paul: "If God didn't spare the natural branches, we won't spare you either." Sobering indeed. The study then continues to show the judgment against the surrounding nations who take pleasure in Jerusalem's destruction and Judah's exile. The lesson for us? Don't gloat over others' judgment.
NSFW. Wow. One of the most illustrative and lewd chapters in Scripture, if not the most lewd. Similar to Ezekiel 16 this chapter compares Israel and Judah with a pair of sisters defiled by harlotry - and things get graphic. Also, an interesting connection to a famous incident in Israel's history that exists today in another form - the Sins of Jeroboam.
A constant theme throughout our study of Ezekiel has been applying the events and admonishments to ourselves, our nation, our culture, and our church. These chapters are no different. And the implications are very uncomfortable.
And then, God asks a crazy question - where is the man who would do the right thing and OPPOSE Him? Whatever could that mean? Listen in to find out.
There are times when God will not listen to you, He will not hear your prayers. Why not? How will that affect the way you live? What are you going to do about it? How much does this chapter in Ezekiel convict you? Because it convicted us.
"What is the Greatest Commandment?" Yeshua replied, "Love YHWH your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two Commandments hang all the rest." This principle is manifest today in our study of Ezekiel. Also, prophecy often has more than one fulfillment - this too is on display in today's passage.
NSFW. That's the first thought we had when reading this brutal metaphor of Jerusalem's spiritual condition just prior to the Babylonian captivity. Shockingly, Yeshua's generation wasn't any better. Disturbingly, our generation isn't either.
These chapters present an incredibly strong rebuke to the false prophets, false teachers, and insincere elders of Ezekiel's day. God's admonishments to them are easily applied to us today, prompting us to ask the question: How do we know if a teacher is from God? We use Peter's example to understand the answer.
How far are you willing to go to demonstrate your commitment to God? How much are you willing to compromise on, and how much compromise will God accept when Yeshua returns? These are some of the questions we asked as we explored how this passage in Ezekiel applies to our lives. Listen in to see our answers.
In our prayers leading into study this morning we asked for understanding in how to apply the lessons from our study to our current lives. As we studied, it was impressed upon us just how much we should view rebellion against God as an abomination - a disgusting, despicable practice. We know the rest of the world is jumping into that rebellion, but as Jay points out today, we don't have to jump off that cliff with them.
Ezekiel 6:4 - So your altars will become desolate and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will make your slain fall in front of your idols.
Today's passage is set amidst prophecy of Jerusalem and the Temple being destroyed by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar. Keep in mind that Ezekiel's prophecy occurs roughly a decade prior to that destruction, and that Ezekiel is already in captivity - the judgment of God is already being visited upon the people. The time to repent is now - destruction is here now! Yet, when the final destruction comes, the slain fall in front of their idols. Why would they be in front of their idols at this time? Sadly, because they were praying for deliverance from Babylon TO those idols. Today we discuss this and wonder, when the final judgment comes upon our nation, what idols will we be slain in front of?
