Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Read Ezekiel 35-37
Questions to Consider
1. Review your notes from our last lesson and be reminded of the things that lead into, and set the stage for, this week’s passage.
2. Using a good Bible map of your choosing, attempt to locate all of the geographical places mentioned in 35-37. Where were each of these places in relation to Israel?
3. Read chapter 35. Explain why God is exercising judgment against Mount Seir and Edom. (Don’t forget to use your cross references.) How might you use a passage like chapter 35 to help explain God’s justice and judgment to a friend who believes in the false teaching of universalism– that God just forgives everyone and lets them into Heaven when they die?
4. Read chapter 36. Why does God tell Ezekiel to prophesy to mountains in chapters 35-36 instead of people? What is God explaining to Israel in 36:1-7?
When God told Israel He was judging the pagan nations around them, what should Israel’s response have been? One day, God will pour out His wrath on those who have persecuted His church. How should we, as Christians, respond to Him when He does?
How do 36: 5 and 6 help you to understand the concept of God’s holy jealousy?
How does 36:8-15 paint a picture of God forgiving His people?
If God is God, and the truth about His nature and character is eventually going to win out anyway, why is He concerned for the reputation of His name in 36:16-21? Why does God care what pagans think of Him?
We’ve learned in previous studies that “therefore” (36:22) acts as a pivot point, or “hinge” verse connecting what comes before it with what comes after it. Which two concepts does 36:22 connect?
Why (6:22,32) is God choosing to act the way he describes in 6:22-38? Is it fair and biblical to say that everything God does, He does first and foremost for His own glory, and secondarily for the good of the people involved? Why or why not? How does it benefit people when God acts on behalf of His own glory?
Compare God’s actions and posture toward Israel in 6:22-38 to God’s actions and posture toward Christians as He goes about the work of saving sinners. How does God save people? Why does God save people? What are the results of God saving people?
Explain the differences between “you shall know that I am the Lord” in chapter 35 and “you shall know that I am the Lord” in chapter 36. How is knowing that God is the Lord by experiencing His wrath for your unrepentant sin and rebellion different from knowing God is the Lord by experiencing His forgiveness of sin when you repent?
5. Read chapter 37. Explain how the valley of dry bones (37:1-14) is a dramatization of the promises God made to Israel in 36:22-38.
Compare 37:1-14 with these passages, and explain how the valley of dry bones points ahead to salvation in Christ. Imagine you’re Ezekiel. You’ve just gone through the valley of dry bones experience, and God transports you ahead in time to watch and listen as Jesus raises Lazarus. How does the latter event give you a more fully-orbed understanding of the former?
Is 37:15-28 a “near” prophecy (something that will happen right away Ezekiel’s original audience) or a “far” prophecy (something that will happen far in the future, perhaps in eternity), or a bit of both? Cite the verses that back up your answer.
Have all of the things in 37:15-28 happened already? What is the significance of God’s use of the words “forever” and “forevermore”? (37:25-27) Who is “My servant David”? (37:24-25)
What does 37:15-28 make you look forward to in eternity?
Homework
• Add 35:4,9,12,15, 36:11,23,36,38, 37:6,13,14,28 to your “And you/they shall know that I am the Lord” list. Write down who will know that He is the Lord, what will cause them to know He is the Lord, and why God wants them to know He is the Lord.
Suggested Memory Verse
Michelle Lesley 