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Daily Bible Studies

Series Theme: Studies in Ezekiel 21-32 "Continuing Warnings" 1/4

Page Contents:

Chs. 21 & 22

Introduction

A New Approach

Rather than repeat what we have said in the previous set of studies in Ezekiel we would encourage you to look back at the two previous sets and check the Introductions. Because we are mindful of the difficult nature of the chapters covered by the these studies we are going to take the unusual step of printing part of the Conclusion here at the beginning to help you focus your reading in the days ahead:

1. The Grace of God

One definition of grace might be the goodness and love of God which waits patiently and seeks to do all it can to avert disaster, the death of men at the hands of justice, and provide opportunity for them to come to their senses and repent. If that is a reasonable definition in this context, then we have seen the grace of God displayed in every single chapter of these studies. Yes, perhaps you may think that prophecies of warning and of judgment are not the most edifying reading in the Bible, but the truth is that they display God's grace almost more clearly than anywhere else – especially when you see them against the responses of mankind.

2. The Foolish Responses of Mankind

Any person who denies the existence of Sin has never read these chapters. We have seen a number of times lists of the sins of Jerusalem or the sins of Judah or the sins of the neighbouring nations and folly, stupidity and self-centred evil is displayed again and again. When you consider the ministries of such people as Jeremiah and Ezekiel (and Daniel) all bringing God's warnings in this period of history, there can be no excuses made. The sin of the kings or the priests or the prophets or the people is displayed for all to see. All you have to do it read.

Structure of these Studies

You will find in this series the following structure:

Part 1: The Sins of Judah & Jerusalem (1) – Ch.21 & 22

Part 2: The Sins of Judah & Jerusalem (2) – Ch.23 & 24

Part 3: Against the Neighbours – Ch.25-28

Part 4: Against Egypt – Ch.29-32

Part 1: The Sins of Judah & Jerusalem (1) – Ch.21 & 22

Here we continue from the previous studies. Watch for the number and variety of ways that the Lord seeks to communicate with Jerusalem .

Chs. 21 & 22

Part 1 "The Sins of Judah and Jerusalem (1)" Ch.21 & 22

Chapter: Ezek 21

Passage 1: Ezek 21:1-7 - The Groaning Prophet

A. Find Out

1. What three things was Ezekiel to prophesy against? v.1,2

2. What was the Lord going to do? v.3,4

3. With what effect? v.5

4. What was Ezekiel told to do? v.6

5. What should that cause to happen? v.7a

6. And what was he to answer? v.7b

B. Think:

1. How extensive was what the Lord was going to do?

2. What two ways was Ezekiel to convey what was going to happen?

3. Why do you think the second way?

C. Comment:

The prophecies continue to warn against what was going to happen. The word that comes (v.1) in these verses requires Ezekiel to prophesy (v.2) but this specific prophecy does not give a reason, as we've seen in previous prophesies, for the guilt of Israel, it simply declares what will happen. It is to include Jerusalem and the land around it AND the temple (just in case they thought that would be saved.)

Although Israel 's guilt is not spoken of here, the Lord declares that He is against this whole people (v.3) and that means everyone will be included who lives there, unrighteous AND righteous; the land will be cleared. It will include everyone left in the land from north to south (v.4) for obviously Nebuchadnezzar will do a good job in deporting the whole nation. It will be obvious at the end of it that this was a work of the Lord (v.5) because this will be a unique event in Israel 's history.

But more than simply prophesying, the Lord instructs Ezekiel to go round groaning out loud (v.6) as if he is in grief with a broken heart, and the reason for that is that people will then ask him why he is doing that (v.7a), and he is to tell them it is because of the coming news of what is happening to Israel, news that will bring every heart to grief (v.7b), and it is definitely going to come (v.7c). The message is clear, obvious and certain. This WILL happen.

D. Application:

1. Again note the clarity of God's warning.

2. There is still time for repentance.

Chs. 21 & 22

Chapter: Ezek 21

Passage 2: Ezek 21:8-17 - Here is the Sword

A. Find Out

1. What is he told to prophesy about? v.8-11

2. What is he told to do and why? v.12

3. What question is posed? v.13

4. What is he to do to signify what? v.14

5. What will occur? v.15,16

6. What will eventually happen? v.17

B. Think:

1. How is this a direct continuation from earlier?

2. What is the basic message here?

3. How is that part of all that has gone in previous chapters?

C. Comment:

The earlier chapters in the previous series, poured out warning after warning of what would happen to Jerusalem, warnings intended to bring the people of Judah and Jerusalem to their senses (and the exiles in Babylonia no doubt).

Perhaps we did not pay enough attention in the earlier verses to the mention of a sword, thinking it just referred to death. If so, now the Lord gives us no room to doubt. God's word comes (v.8) and Ezekiel is told to prophesy (v.9a) and speak about a sword, polished for action (v.9b). Will the sword respect (and miss) Judah ? (v.10b) No, it will not be put off by a mere ‘stick' (v.10c). Everything about this sword (v.11) says it is ready to do its job and kill people.

Ezekiel is told by the Lord to wail and cry out because this sword is coming against His people (v.12), therefore he is to show all the signs of grief over them. But then a terrible question is asked: if this sword despises and is not put off killing Judah , what will happen if Judah is completely wiped out? (v.13)

No answer is given; the focus is just on the terrible destruction that is to come (v.14) with a devastation that will make hearts melt (v.15) and it will keep on going (v.16) until the Lord's anger is appeased (v.17). This devastation will come!

D. Application:

1. We should never make light of God's judgment.

2. When God sets course, there is always a right reason.

Chs. 21 & 22

Chapter: Ezek 21

Passage 3: Ezek 21:18-27 - The Way of the Invader

A. Find Out

1. What did the next word tell Ezekiel to do? v.18-20

2. Why? What will happen? v.21

3. With what outcome? v.22.23

4. What will happen and why? v.24

5. What did the Lord say to who? v.25,26

6. What will happen to Jerusalem ? v.27

B. Think:

1. What was actually going to happen?

2. Why do you think Ezekiel had to draw it?

3. What differing forms of communication are seen here?

C. Comment:

The word from God comes yet again to Ezekiel (v.18) and in it he is told to draw a road from one country that divides (v.19). One road is to be signposted Rabbah and the other Jerusalem (v.20). These will be the options before the king of Babylon as he goes conquering in the south. (v.19b,21). When the king gets to the junction he will use divination to determine which way to go (21b) and he will decide to go to Jerusalem (v.22a) and there he will find rebellion and so will establish a siege against the city (v.22b). For those in Jerusalem the outcome of his divination will be bad news (v.23) because he will confront them with their rebellion and take them captive.

So the Lord now confronts them directly with their sin of rebellion and reiterates that they will be taken captive (v.24) The prince of Israel , presumably King Zedekiah, is addressed personally (v.25) and told his crown will be removed (v.26) and the judgment of God will bring him down. Jerusalem will be brought to ruins (v.27) and will remain a ruin until the Lord brings one who will be His man and who will restore it. Yet again we have another remarkably clear warning of exactly what will happen – how Nebuchadnezzar will be brought to the gates of Jerusalem by divination (but ultimately the guidance of God) so that judgment may fall on that city and its king.

D. Application:

1. The Lord may use a variety of ways to bring about His plans.

2. Remember, death is not His preferred path – repentance and life is!

Chs. 21 & 22

Chapter: Ezek 21

Passage 4: Ezek 21:28-32 - The Ammonites

A. Find Out

1. Against who is he next to speak? v.28a

2. What was he to present before them? v.28b

3. What will happen, despite what? v.29

4. What will the Lord do with it? v 30c,31

5. What also will happen? v.32a

6. With what outcome? v.32b

B. Think:

1. Why were the Ammonites being judged?

2. What would happen to them?

3. What was the extent of it?

C. Comment:

This is one of those passages of Scripture (and there are a number of them) that you look at and think, “Well not very edifying!” but the truth is that this was a word from God that would have major consequences for one of Israel's neighbours. They came about from one of Lot's daughters (Gen 19:38) and perhaps for this reason Israel were told to pass them peaceably (Deut 2:19) and they lived to the east of the Jordon and the Dead Sea . They were condemned for not helping Israel and indeed for joining with the Moabites in hiring Balaam to curse Israel (Deut 23:3-6) They also joined Eglon, king of Moab in subduing Israel in the time of the judges (Jud 3:13,14). Indeed in the centuries that followed they were often Israel 's adversaries.

Now the word comes to Ezekiel to speak against them (v.28) for all they have said (?down through the centuries or more recently?) about the Lord and about Israel . Speak of a sword indicating the judgment that is coming (v.29). It doesn't matter what false guidance they have had making them feel secure, it will come! And once it has happened the sword will return to the scabbard of its owner (v.30) and return home (Nebuchadnezzar v.19). This is God's anger (v.31) bringing destruction to them (v.32) so they will be completely taken and remembered no more.

We should not that God not only deals with His chosen people but also with those neighbours who treated Israel badly. All will be held to account, not just one nation.

D. Application:

1. God is concerned about all nations of the world.

2. He speaks and then He judges.

Chs. 21 & 22

Chapter: Ezek 22

Passage 5: Ezek 22:1-5 - Preliminary Judgment

A. Find Out

1. What two things does the Lord ask Ezekiel and then say to do? v.1,2

2. What twofold condemnation does He make? v.3,4a

3. So what has come? v.4b

4. What will the Lord make her? v.4c

5. Who will do what? v.5

B. Think:

1. In general terms how does the Lord condemn Jerusalem ? v.2

2. How does that get more specific?

3. What will He do because of this?

C. Comment:

If you use a magnifying glass and then a microscope you get different levels of magnification. In these first 5 verses we get a fairly low level of magnification but in the following verses there is a much greater level of ‘magnification' and much detail is given.

Here the word comes to Ezekiel (v.1) asking him is he ready to judge this city ( Jerusalem ), this city where blood is shed and detestable practices are carried out? (v.2) We aren't yet told what those ‘detestable practices' are – that will come later. But the Lord does go on to speak again of their shedding blood and then of their idol worship (v.3). Just in case there is any doubt He declares their guilt (v.4a) for the blood they have shed (3 rd mention!) and their idol worship (2 nd mention).

Then He moves from the wrongs to the outcome: they have brought about their end (v.4b) and so He will make them an object of scorn to the surrounding nations (v.4c). Both their nearby neighbours and those further afield will laugh at them and mock them when they see what has happened to them (v.5).

Note that this is yet again another specific but separate word from the Lord. So many times in these prophecies they start with, “ The word of the LORD came to me.” As such it builds. First comes the condemnation, the things the Lord charges them with – and they get worse and worse – and then the outcomes, the coming judgment.

D. Application:

1. When God says you are guilty, He always has a specific reason.

2. Ongoing sin will always be judged, even if it takes time.

Chs. 21 & 22

Chapter: Ezek 22

Passage 6: Ezek 22:6-12 - Sins

A. Find Out

Make a list of the approximate EIGHTEEN wrongs that are condemned in verses 6 to 12.

B. Think:

What does this leave you feeling about the state of Jerusalem

C. Comment:

We need to carefully work our way through these verses to take in the depth of these ‘detestable acts' (‘detestable' occurs 43 times in this book. ‘detestable' = hateful, abhorrent, esp. by God).

He starts with the leaders who shed blood (v.6), i.e. hurt of kill people (contrary to Ex 20:13). There are those who dishonour their parents (v.7a – see Ex 20:12), oppress aliens. (v.7b – see Ex 22:21), mistreated orphans and widows (v.7c – see Deut 14:28,29), despised God's holy things (v.8a – see Lev 5:14) abused the Sabbaths (v.8b – see Ex 20:8), were slanderous of others (v.9a – see Lev 19:16), shed blood (v.9b – see above), ate at idolatrous high places (v.9c – see Ex 20:4), committed lewd acts (v.9d – sexually wrong – various), has sex with their mother (v.10a – see Lev 18:7), has sex during menstrual period (v.10b – see Lev 18:19), having sex with neighbor's wife (v.11a – see Lev 18:20), has sex with daughter-in-law (v.11b – see Lev 18:15), has sex with own daughter (v.11c – see Lev 18:11), accepted bribes for violence (v.12a – see Deut 27:25), charges excessive interest (v.12b – see Lev 25:37) and forgot the Lord (v.12c – see Deut 4:23)

Remember, these are the things the Lord says are going in Jerusalem , the holy city! Every single one of the things listed is a transgression of the Law. (That is why we have been careful to make reference to the Law in each case – there are many more references to cover each thing.)

Previously, as we noted above, the Lord tended to speak generally about their ‘detestable practices' but here in these verses we have a catalogue of specific things that are being practiced widely in Jerusalem . This is how far the city has fallen.

D. Application:

1. God's laws are for the blessing of the covenant community.

2. Failure to keep them en-masse is a rejection of the Lord wholesale!

Chs. 21 & 22

Chapter: Ezek 22

Passage 7: Ezek 22:13-16 - I will deal with you

A. Find Out

1. For what two reasons will the Lord act against them? v.13

2. Over what does He challenge them? v.14

3. What 2 things does He say He will do? v.15

4. With what outcome? v.16

B. Think:

1. How do the 2 condemnations sum up so much of what was said before?

2. How does He challenge their pride and arrogance?

3. Why, do you think, they will know this is all of God?

C. Comment:

Having gone through very detailed verses, detailing their specific sins, the Lord now wraps it all up with a twofold condemnation and reiterates that He WILL deal with them.

Striking hands together (v.13a) is a sign of displeasure and determination to do something about it. (We've seen it before in 21:14,17). Essentially it is over the injustices and corruption and bloodshed that is there in Jerusalem (v.13b). They obviously feel secure in their arrogance and pride for the Lord next challenges them (v.14) over whether they will still feel like that after He has dealt with them – and be sure about this, He WILL deal with them!

But He doesn't leave it as a general warning for, yet again, He declares that He will disperse them in other lands (v.15) and in doing this He will bring an end to all these things He has spoken about that He sums up as ‘uncleanness'.

When He has sorted them out and dispersed them among the nations (v.16), then they will realise that this has been His work. At the moment they deny His presence, deny His ability to move against them and so they are complacent in their folly and so refuse to change, but one of these days, when all of this has happened, they will look back and realise He had warned them all about what was coming – in great detail – and so this had to be His dealing with them! Having been through the extensive list of list if sins of Jerusalem , we should not be surprised at this judgment being the outcome, for how how could this be stopped?

D. Application:

1. Sin blinds to God's reality and breeds complacency.

2. Observe our world and heed the Lord's warnings.

Chs. 21 & 22

Chapter: Ezek 22

Passage 8: Ezek 22:17-22 - Melted as Dross

A. Find Out

1. In the next word, how does the Lord describe Israel ? v.17,18

2. So what will He do with them? v.19

3. With what objective? v.20

4. What does He reiterate? v.21

5. And what will they know? v.22

B. Think:

1. How many times does God's anger or wrath get mentioned?

2. How many times does He say what He will do?

3. What does all this signify?

C. Comment:

In some of these ‘words' the Lord has simply spoken of the judgment to come and in others the causes of that judgment and in some both the judgment and the causes. In these few verses, before we come to the next ‘word' (in v.23), we find simply a declaration of the judgment. An interesting exercise would be to go through chapters 13 to 24 and see how many different pictures or how many different ways the Lord is seeking to convey the same warning. This one is particularly devastating!

The word from the Lord comes to Ezekiel (v.17) an describes, first of all, how the Lord sees the people of Israel (not just Jerusalem) – as ‘dross', (v.18) which is a term used to describe the scum or waste that appears on the surface of molten metal or is left on the inside of the furnace when the molten metal is run off.. In other words, it is just rubbish! Three times the Lord uses this word of them and three times the word ‘wrath' is used to describe what He feels about them. He doesn't feel sorry about them, just very angry at their ongoing folly that refuses to heed His warnings that have come again and again. We should understand that there are times when anger is the appropriate response and, indeed, failure to be angry would be an indication of failure to acknowledge the seriousness of what was happening.

And it is again and again within this one word that the warning comes. He will gather them (v.19) into Jerusalem (fleeing the invader) and there they will be destroyed (v.20-22). The very graphic word, ‘melt' is used three times to convey the awfulness of it.

D. Application:

1. God goes to great lengths to warn His people.

2. His desire is that they be saved, not destroyed.

Chs. 21 & 22

Chapter: Ezek 22

Passage 9: Ezek 22:22-31 - Five Guilty Groups

A. Find Out

1. What did the next word say about the land? v.23,24

2. Note the 5 groups spoken against and the things for which they are condemned. v.25-29

3. Who did the Lord look for and what did He find? v.30

4. So what will He do? v.31

B. Think:

1. What do you think is the meaning of v.24?

2. How would you summarise v.25-29

3. What is the point of verse 30?

C. Comment:

Verses 1-5 were about two general areas of wrong and the coming judgment. Verses 6-12 was about specific wrongs. Verses 13-22 were about judgment, and now verses 23-31 are about specific wrongs and a general warning of judgment. The word that comes (v.23) declares the land has had a (?spiritual) drought since the Lord's anger has been roused by the sins of the nation (v.24).

Then follows the sins:

1. Leaders (v.25) – oppressing the weak

2. Priests (v.26) – failing to distinguish between right & wrong, clean & unclean.

3. Officials (v.27) – oppress people and are corrupt

4. Prophets (v.28) – bring false visions.

5. The People (v.29) – steal, oppress the poor and deny justice.

The Lord looks to see if there is anyone who will build up the society again and fill in the gaps that are there, but there is no one (v.30). It is clear that the entire city is guilty of sin.

The end of this all is that the Lord will bring on them His judgments that will deal with them and deal with all these sins (v.31) and, as we commented before, that should not come as a surprise to us.

These verses are again remarkable in the detail of what the Lord brings before them. There can be no possibility of anyone saying, “We didn't know.” Their guilt is obvious!

D. Application:

1. When Satan condemns he just makes you feel bad.

2. When the Lord judges, He gives clear grounds for repentance.

Chs. 21 & 22

RECAP No.1 "The Sins of Judah & Jerusalem" Ch.21 & 22

SUMMARY :

In this first group of 9 studies we have seen :

Study No.1 : The Groaning Prophet : Ezek 21:1-7

Study No. 2 : Here is the Sword! : Ezek 21:8-17

Study No.3 : The Way of the Invader : Ezek 21:18-27

Study No. 4 : The Ammonites : Ezek 21:28-32

Study No.5 : Preliminary Judgment : Ezek 22:1-5

Study No.6 : Sins : Ezek 22:6-12

Study No.7 : I will deal with you! : Ezek 22:13-16

Study No.8 : Melted as Dross : Ezek 22:17-22

Study No.9 : Five Guilty Groups : Ezek 22:23-31

COMMENT :

Chapters 13 to 24 of Ezekiel are oracle after oracle warning of the impending judgement if Judah and Jerusalem fail to repent and put matters right in the land. In chapter 21 we saw the Lord was bringing a sword of judgment on the land (22:1-5,8-17) and so Ezekiel was to groan prophetically (v.6,7). In another word Ezekiel was to draw two roads indicating Nebuchadnezzar's choice (v.18-27) to come to them. In passing a word comes against the Ammonites for their words against Israel (v.28-32)

In chapter 22 Jerusalem is confronted with her guilt for shedding blood (22;1-5) but this extends to a much wider list of their sins (v.6-16) The Lord's word that follows about Israel having become ‘dross' almost seems restrained in the light of that list of sins which showed Jerusalem to be very far from the ‘holy city' it was supposed to be. The Lord followed that word with another which highlighted the groups of people in Jerusalem who had failed Him, the leaders, the officials, the priests and the prophets and the people generally. Each of these groups in their different ways should have been expressions of the Lord's love and goodness, of His order and righteousness, but each of them failed and just add to the indictment that eventually comes. There is not question whatsoever that these are a guilt people' a people who have gone far from God's design for them.

PRAY :

Ask the Lord's forgiveness for the sins of our own nation today.

PART 2 : "The Sins of Judah & Jerusalem (2)" – Ch.23 & 24

In this next Part we continue to observe these warnings of impending judgment coming on Jerusalem .