The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Ezekiel

  • Repent and Turn

    “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.”

    Ezekiel 18:30

    Ezekiel was taken captive by the Babylonians in the second taking of the people. God called Ezekiel to speak specifically to the children of the captives in Babylon. The children would live there, but after seventy years would be allowed to return to the land of Israel. “And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear” (Ezekiel 3:11). Ezekiel was to give the Words from God. The people had to choose if they would receive the message and act upon it, or not.

    One important message God gave to Ezekiel was a warning with a specific call to His people: “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30). Ruin means “stumbling block; it is an obstacle, a cause of falling or sinning”. They must understand that God would judge each life. It was up to each individual person (“every one”) to repent and turn from his or her sin (transgressions). God did not want sin to be their “ruin”; the obstacle between them and God. In turning from sin, they were to turn to Him – the same as it is today. Remember: the people of Israel were evicted from their land because of their sin against God, forsaking Him for idol worship, and refusing to repent (see 2 Chronicles 36:14-21). The obstacle of the people’s sin separated between them and God. However, the children who came after them would not be held accountable for their parents’ sins. Each one of them had the choice: the choice to repent and turn to God, or refuse to repent and remain in sin.

    Remember what they should have already known. God did not want the people to die in their sins. He had made a provision for them, if they would only hear and obey. Each person had a choice: life or death. Moses had presented the choice to them many years before.

    “14. But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

    15. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

    16. In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live…

    17. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

    18. I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land…

    19. … I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:14-19).

    Moses had presented them with the choice as to how they would live here on earth and in the land God had promised His people. Ezekiel was reminding them of the same choice. Moreover, Ezekiel wanted the people to understand that this decision related to more than this earthly life in the here and now. There was an eternity to consider.

    God never changes. God wanted to save people in the Old Testament times, New Testament times, and He still wants to save people today. However, God allows each person to choose – to believe, or to not believe. Understand that every person is a sinner before a holy and righteous God (see Romans 3:23). Moreover, all of man’s righteousness is as filthy rags in God’s sight (see Isaiah 64:6). But we should recognize how to have life eternal. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Whosoever believes in Jesus can have life! Instead of choosing continual sin, one must choose Jesus by faith: then he or she can have life. God wants all to understand: He judges each individual person on his or her response to Him. “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).

    One must receive the righteousness of Jesus, who takes our sin and replaces it with His righteousness: “For he hath made him (Jesus)to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). That comes by belief.

    Just as Moses told the people: “But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it” (Deuteronomy 30:14). Paul recalled the same thing, quoting it in Romans: “8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:8-9).

    God leaves the choice with each individual as to whether he or she will believe. What happens if one chooses to reject the gift of salvation that Jesus offers? “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).

    What do you choose?

    To turn from sin, receiving everlasting life.

    Or

    Have you chosen to have the wrath of God abide upon you?

    Choose to Live by turning from sin: How to be saved.

  • Ezekiel, a Watchman

    “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.”

    Ezekiel 33:7

    God called Ezekiel five years after he had been captured from Jerusalem and carried into Babylon (see Ezekiel 1:1-2). God would send Ezekiel to warn His people of pending judgment for sin. “1. And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. 2. And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me” (Ezekiel 2:1-2). Take note that God told Ezekiel to stand, giving him God’s Word, and he was then filled with God’s Spirit which would enable Ezekiel to do the task at hand. In that calling, like other prophets before him, he was warned that the people would not hear him. “But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted” (Ezekiel 3:7). Take note that God said they were “impudent and hardhearted.” Impudent means “powerful and able to resist. It can have a connotation of stubbornness, impudence, and being unyielding see Ezekiel 2:4; 3:7-8)”. Hardhearted means “inflexible, obstinate, hardened, stubborn of heart: the totality of man’s inner or or immaterial nature”. This sounds like it would be an extremely difficult task!

    Why would the people not hear? Then in turn, why would God not hear them?

    • “Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 12:2). They were a rebellious people.
    • “Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols” (Ezekiel 20:16).
    • “Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them” (Ezekiel 8:18).

    To add to the difficulty of Ezekiel’s task, God said Ezekiel would be dumb (unable to speak) for a period of time. “26. And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house. 27. But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.” (Ezekiel 3:26-27). Until Ezekiel could speak again, God had Ezekiel act out several signs of warnings (see Ezekiel 4-5). God let Ezekiel know that the dumbness would be removed. In the meantime, Ezekiel was one of the signs that was given to the Israelite people who were already in captivity. “In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 24:27). That dumbness of Ezekiel would be removed when Jerusalem was destroyed by Babylon. “21. And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity … that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten. 22. Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb” (Ezekiel 33:21-22). God opened Ezekiel’s mouth so he could speak again.

    God called Ezekiel to be a watchman to the house of Israel. The first time, He was to give them a warning from God (see Ezekiel 3:16-27). Before God opened Ezekiel’s mouth, God called Ezekiel to give another warning, however it included a promise of restoration one day (see Ezekiel 33:22). “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me” (Ezekiel 33:7). If Ezekiel was not faithful to declare God’s Word to the people, Ezekiel would be accountable for their lives (see Ezekiel 33:8-9).

    Christians live in a world today where most people do not want to hear about God. However, we can share the good news of Jesus with others. We should follow the example of Paul. “5. For our gospel came not unto you in word only …as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7. So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Paul not only shared the Gospel message, but lived a Christ-like life. The people heard, saw, and turned from idols to serve the living God by believing in Jesus. This faith in Jesus, delivers from the “wrath to come”.

    Do you live a life where others can see Jesus in you, then able to hear as you share the Gospel message?

    The Gospel Message

  • A Warning from a Watchman

    “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.”
    Ezekiel 3:17

    God called Ezekiel to be a watchman. “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17). He was called to warn the Israelites during their captivity in Babylon. God gave Ezekiel the words that needed to be spoken to God’s people. The people of Judah had to understand that they were being disciplined for their rebellion against God and His Word.      

    The most important message Ezekiel had for God’s people was that although Israel had sinned, and they were under the chastisement of God, He would reveal Himself to them. “11. … I will judge you in the border of Israel: 12. And ye shall know that I am the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you” (Ezekiel 11:11b-12). They had not obeyed or walked with God. However, God left a promise for the future of Israel. He promised to gather them together again and give back to them the land of Israel. At that time, the people would take away the detestable things and all of the abominations (Ezekiel 11:16-18). When this happened, read what God would do for His people: “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19). What would happen once they had a heart of flesh? “That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God” (Ezekiel 11:20). God not only wanted them to understand the chastisement (for not walking according to God’s commands), but He promised them a change of heart so they could obey His commands. Throughout the book of Ezekiel, Ezekiel was to remind the Israelites that God wanted them to be His people, and He would be their God.              

    Why was this message so important?

    Sin had so engrained itself into the Israelites at that time that most of the people no longer realized they were sinning against God and His Law, for their hearts had become hard. In the Old Testament, the Israelites’ understanding was darkened – they just did not get it. “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:18). Blindness means “callousness or hardness.” Their hearts had become hardened to the guilt of sin. They thought they were living just fine.

    Why is it important for us to know this? Do Christians still have the same problem today? Is sin so engrained in our hearts and lives that we do not even realize how much sin is present in our lives? Are our hearts hardened to sin? What are Christians to do? In Ezekiel, God told His people that he would take the stony heart out and give them a heart of flesh. It was only then that they could walk with God and keep His Word. It was then that they would be God’s people and He would be their God. Without a change of heart, God’s Word cannot be written in one’s heart.  How can one’s heart be changed? “8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:8-10). God’s Word tells us that by faith in Jesus, believing in the heart, Jesus can save, changing the heart.

    After conviction of sin and by belief in Jesus, God will give one a heart of flesh instead of a stony heart. “3. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward” (2 Corinthians 3:3-4). When God’s Law (the Bible) is in our heart, the Spirit of the Living God constantly reminds us when have disobeyed God’s Word. It is then that we are convicted of sin, and our heart’s desire will be to eliminate sin from our lives and live pleasing to God.

    A Christian cannot continue to live a sinful life, for because Christ is in a Christian’s heart and life, sin cannot be tolerated. The Spirit will convict. If that Christian does not correct, there will be discipline (see Hebrews 12:5-8). If one professes to be a Christian and continues in sin, that lifestyle betrays the heart – for it does not belong to Jesus (see 1 John 3:8-10). 

    Have you heard the warning of the Watchman, heeding the warning to not rebel against God’s Word?

  • Lesson 2: Ezekiel 33-48 Judah’s Future

    Key Verse

    Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

    —1 Corinthians 15:58

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. We are to understand what it means to be “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” That means: not changing or moving, but being more abundant or distinguished than somebody else in reference to doing something. We are to try to be the best Christian living for Jesus than anyone else around us – for we know that even though it may be very difficult (labour), we also know that our life will not be fruitless in God’s eyes.

    Emphasis: We are to remain true to the task God places before us, no matter how difficult it may seem – even if people ignore us and reject God’s Word (just as they did to Ezekiel), when we tell others about Jesus. 

    Lesson Summary: God called Ezekiel again, to be a watchman to Israel. He was to continue warning the people – especially the children of God’s people. The children would be the ones who would eventually return to Jerusalem. God warned Ezekiel that he would be accountable to God if he was not faithful to speak the Words God gave him to speak. 

    While Ezekiel was warning God’s people, a messenger came with the news that Jerusalem had been smitten (defeated; destroyed). Ezekiel proceeded to remind them why Jerusalem had been destroyed. Although the people listened to the message, they did not adhere to the teachings.

    Ezekiel had to remind the people why they lost their homeland and their beloved city, Jerusalem. It was because they forsook God and worshiped idols instead. Nevertheless, after this reminder, they were encouraged with the words that God would one day restore their homeland to them. After these words, God gave Ezekiel an unusual visual to help him understand what God would do for His people one day. God took Ezekiel to a valley full of dry bones and told him to preach the Word of the Lord to them. When he did, the bones were rejoined and skin covered them again. After God breathed life into them, those dead bones lived. It was a picture of the dead, desolate nation Israel would be when God would one day restore them. 

    God would join the divided kingdom as one nation with one king, they would reject idolatry once and for all and God would be their God, and God then gave the promise of Jesus.  Jesus would be the king over God’s people, the one shepherd, and he would be their prince – forever.

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 2 Questions

    Y2Q4 – Lesson 2 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this lesson to younger children, the following is a craft idea to help them remember this lesson:

    We made a book with the pictures of the different stages of the events that took place when Ezekiel preached in the Valley of the Dry Bones.

  • Lesson 1: Ezekiel 1-32 Judah’s Fall

    Key Verse

    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

    —Hebrews 13:17

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Think for a minute. Is it ever hard to obey someone who is in authority over you? Consider the authority in the written Word of God and those who teach the doctrines therein. Even when it may be difficult, we are called to not only obey, but also choose to do it correctly. Consider how you treat one who teaches you (and may occasionally correct or admonish you). Do not make their task more difficult, for they must give an accounting to God for how they teach you, and they want it to be a joyful time. If you respond incorrectly, you may just miss the blessing intended for your life.

    Emphasis: We must first have a heart of flesh, so God’s Word can be written therein. Then we must be a watchman, telling all of the world about Jesus, so they can know God as the God.

    Lesson Summary: Weeks of Bible study time could be spent just on the book of Ezekiel. However, because we are not doing an exhaustive study, but an overview, we will take two lessons to study highlights of the book of Ezekiel. Remember that Jeremiah witnessed the captivity of Judah by Babylon and the destruction of Jerusalem. The book of Lamentations, written by Jeremiah, is a poem revealing the horrors of seeing the city of Jerusalem and the temple of God destroyed after a terrible siege against the city. Jeremiah and Ezekiel both lived during the demise of Israel.

    Ezekiel was carried captive from Jerusalem during the second invasion of Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. Once in Babylon, God came to Ezekiel in a heavenly vision and called him to be a watchman for God to the house of Israel. God gave Ezekiel the words that needed to be spoken to His people. The people of Judah had to understand that they were being disciplined for their sin. God often called Ezekiel “the son of man.”    

    After God showed Ezekiel the wickedness that had permeated God’s Temple, Ezekiel witnessed God’s Spirit depart from the Temple in Jerusalem, and finally from this earth.

    God was chastising His people by using their enemy, Babylon. It was because of the many transgressions of God’s people. But most importantly, God wanted His people to know that He is the Lord (this is expressed around 70 times in Ezekiel). Ezekiel was to be sure to let God’s people know that He had not forsaken them, but that He had future plans for them.

     As many other prophets before, Ezekiel was to call the people to repentance. There were many signs that God had Ezekiel use to gain the people’s attention, and to reinforce the message God had for His people. For lack of time, we will not look at these. (Some of the signs of Ezekiel: a tile, filthy food, a razor, a pot, a fire, lay on left/right, prepare his clothes to move, smite hands together, not to mourn his wife’s death, etc.)

    It is in the book of Ezekiel where we also understand that God judges each individual. God does not save the child because of the father, or the father because of the child. Each person is accountable unto God for his or her actions in his or her own life – whether in righteousness or in iniquity. God wants each individual to turn from his or her sin, and only then will he or she live.

    Y3Q4 – Lesson 1 Questions

    Y3Q4 – Lesson 1 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to younger children, the following is a craft idea to help them remember this lesson:

    We made binoculars adding stickers and the verse Ezekiel 3:17 to help us remember the importance of being a Watchman (like Ezekiel) who warns people with the Word of God.

  • Seek Good and not Evil

    “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.”
    Amos 5:14

    According to Amos 5:14, we are to seek good things in this world, not evil. Many times, God’s people had quit seeking good and were continually doing evil. God often sent a prophet to speak His words to the people; frequently it was when God’s people were in sin and rebellion. The prophets were sent to remind the people to seek God and follow His commands.

    If you think about it, the prophets had a fascinating role in history. Not only did God send His prophets to tell the people to seek God and follow His commands, but they were entrusted with God’s Word to be delivered to the people. Exposing the sins of the people and revealing the need for repentance (turning a humble heart back to God) took much courage. Although it was a difficult task, we see faithful men accomplish what God asked of them. Even when the people refused to listen at the time, we see God working to fulfill His plan. As students of the Bible, we should never be afraid to study the words written in the books of prophecy. Understand that God knew and chose these men. 

    God called Isaiah. God asked whom He could send; who would go? Isaiah answered God’s call to go and tell. He obeyed when God called.

    God knew Jeremiah before he was born. He knew Jeremiah would be a prophet for God (see Jeremiah 1:4-10). He called, prepared, sent, and promised to be with Jeremiah. Jeremiah prophesied for over forty years.

    Ezekiel was called by God to speak to the children who were born in captivity, for many of them would be the ones who would later return to Jerusalem after the seventy years of captivity. He helps us understand the importance of teaching our children about the things of God.

    Daniel proved himself worthy to be use by God when he refused to obey the king and instead chose to obey God’s commands. He and his three friends were not afraid to stand and choose to obey God rather than man. They are mighty examples for us to remain a separate and faithful people, despite adverse circumstances.

    The prophets were called such because they were messengers of God, men whom God called to proclaim “the word of the Lord” to His people, the Israelites. The Gentile nations were usually only mentioned as either a source of conflict with the nation or for being blessed because of Israel. Primarily, the prophets were to expose the sins of the people, revealing the need for repentance and to remind the people to obey God’s laws. “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken” (Amos 5:14). The prophets told of two very important events: the first and second coming of Jesus. They gave many insights as to the timing, the place, and even the manner in which He would come. Even when they could not fully understand everything they recorded in God’s Word for us to read today, they were faithful to obey God and His commands.

    Remember that God never gives us anything to do that He won’t help us complete, if we only will trust Him. Because only God knows all, we sometimes have trouble obeying when we don’t understand. As we read, we can understand that the prophets were faithful men who followed God, even when they didn’t completely understand. Sometimes the prophet held only a piece of the future events. These prophets each held different pieces of information given to them by God. Now we can read the entirety, put those pieces together, and see they all point to Jesus.

    Have you put the pieces together to see Jesus?

    Also seen on Lighthouse Gospel Beacon Blog.

  • Lesson 9: Five Major Prophets: Isaiah – Daniel

    Key Verse

    “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.”  Amos 5:14

    The word seek means “to search”.   We must seek good things in this world, not evil.  In our lesson today, we find that God’s people had quit seeking good and were continually doing evil.  Remember, God spoke to His people through prophets many years ago.  God sent his prophets to tell the people to seek God and follow His commands.

    If you think about it, the prophets had a fascinating role in history.  God sent His prophets to tell the people to seek God and follow His commands.  They were entrusted with God’s Words to be delivered to the people.  Exposing the sins of the people and revealing the need for repentance (turning a humble heart back to God), took much courage.  Although it was a difficult task, we see faithful men accomplish what God asked of them.  Even when the people refused to listen at the time, we see God working to fulfill His plan.  As students of the Bible, we should never be afraid to study the words written in the books of prophecy.  Remember, the prophets also reminded the people that the Promised One (Jesus) would come.  Take note:  God knew and chose these men.

    Keep in mind that much of the prophets’ message was to “seek good, and not evil.”  Seek means “to search”.   We must continue to seek good and learn to always obey God’s commands.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 9 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 9 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    In any lesson, you may want to work on your coloring timeline – especially when it relates to the lesson.

    Display the poster of the books of the Old Testament (may be downloaded from lesson 4 blog). Review the books of the Major Prophets (showing them on the poster).  You may have them draw a picture of their favorite event from the books of the Major Prophets.  Review the 3×5 cards if you made them, practicing the divisions.  Focus on putting the books of the Major Prophets in order for today’s lesson.

    Because Daniel’s life is such a popular event in the Bible, you may find some Daniel stickers to work on.  Or you may find a coloring picture that fits today’s lesson.  There are many free coloring sheets online.  Just type in a favorite and search away!

     

    Mural idea: 

    On the wall you have chosen in your classroom to become a huge mural:  For this week, have them each choose a Major Prophet.  Have them write a few things that they learned that helps identify them from the other prophets.  Encourage them to include the time God called them to become a spokesman for God.  Have them look for opportunities that God places before them (especially this week) to be a voice for God in this world.

    Continue having them bring a picture, a news article, a poem they have written, a picture they may have drawn, etc. of something that is relevant to each of the following week’s lessons.  Encourage everyone to participate.  Watch as it grows weekly, as they express what God is revealing to them through our study of how the Bible fits into His plan to help us become more like Him.

    Large OT Bible Bookshelf Puzzle