eternity bible study

The parable of two wicked sisters, Oholah and Oholibah. The parable of the boiling pot. Ezekiel’s wife dies, and God uses this as an opportunity to show the people how many will not even get a chance to mourn their dead when the destruction of Jerusalem comes.

Ezekiel warns the people that judgment is coming. That the time is near. That Jerusalem will be destroyed and will not recover until someone comes whom judgment belongs. This is a prophecy towards Jesus Christ, the only one who can ultimately save Jerusalem. Ezekiel calls out those who have caused this city to be referred to as the “Bloody City”. The princes, the prophets, and the priests. No one could stand in the breach between man and God. No one, ultimately except Jesus Christ.

A lament for the princes of Israel. Israel’s continuing rebellion. The Lord will restore Israel.

Our study finds Ezekiel continuing to give parables to his fellow captives in Babylon. The parable of Jerusalem as a useless vine was in chapter 15. The parable of the Lord’s faithless bride is in chapter 16. The parable of two eagles and a vine, chapter 17. The parables of souls who sin shall die, chapter 18. in all these parables we see God‘s nature. He says that he takes no pleasure in having to judge anyone, or see the ultimate death of anyone. A final plea to turn and live, meaning repent for your salvation.

Ezekiel condemns the idolatrous elders. Jerusalem will not be spared because it is so corrupt. The parable of Jerusalem as a useless vine. The parable of Jerusalem as the Lord’s faithless bride.

God uses the prophet Ezekiel to show the captives of Israel who are in Babylon what is going on back home in Jerusalem. Another wave of captivity is ahead for the people. King Zedekiah is going to be captive. There is fear and famine back in Jerusalem. God is telling these captives that things are going to get worse for them not better. This is God trying to show people that he is sovereign. We see God trying to give people every opportunity for their hearts to be turned towards him. Ezekiel also calls out the false prophets, men and women, who are preventing the people from hearing and understanding his words. These are strong messages for us today. We need to keep our hearts, our minds, and our ears on God’s word, not ours.

Ezekiel’s second major vision continues. The glory of the Lord leaves the temple. Judgment occurs on the wicked counselors. The Lord gives Israel a new heart and spirit. Ezekiel returns from his vision to tell those in captivity in Babylon that back in Jerusalem the total captivity, judgment, and destruction is near completion. Unfortunately, they are not going back home to Israel soon. The false prophets are wrong.

Ezekiel has a second vision of the glory of God. He is taken up between heaven and earth, and sees Jerusalem and all the abominations being carried out there. He sees God rendering judgment on the wickedness and evil practices going on. We see angels carrying out God‘s judgment. This is a powerful message to us today. We cannot take our own actions for granted. This is a powerful reminder for us today that a holy God will judge those who reject him.

Ezekiel tells the people that the time has come for God to judge Jerusalem. This is the final time, for the final judgment, for all the sin. The punishment will fit the crimes. All of this must occur so that the people will come to know that the Lord is God. Also, Ezekiel has a second powerful vision of the glory of God with him in Jerusalem.

God tells Ezekiel to prophesy against the land of Israel. God‘s judgment will be on the people. They shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. Even more, God will judge and destroy every altar, and every place of false worship. Even down to every last leafy tree, God will destroy places where false worship was conducted. What a powerful image of the requirement of God‘s judgment on every sinful act and deed, especially worshiping false teachers and false idols.