November 11, 2020 – Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Read Ezekiel 43-45

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. Read chapters 43-45.

Consider last week’s lesson. Does this passage seem to be a “near” prophecy (for Ezekiel’s immediate audience) or a “far” prophecy (for an audience far in the future), or both? Why?

Look up all the cross-references to the book of Revelation. In what ways does this passage in Ezekiel seem similar to the themes in Revelation?

3. Why would it have been meaningful to Ezekiel and the exiles to hear about the glory of the Lord returning to the temple (43:5, 44:4- Hint: use your cross-references.)?

Examine 43:10-11. Why would hearing Ezekiel describe the temple cause Israel to be ashamed of her sin? (10) If Israel was not ashamed of her sin, was Ezekiel to disclose the design, arrangement, etc., of the temple to her? Why? Explain why it is appropriate for God’s people to be ashamed when they have sinned.

4. Who is “the prince”? (44:3- Hint: use your cross-references. Who is “my servant, David“?) Considering that in 45:22, the prince makes a sin offering for both himself and the people, can the prince be Jesus?

How did the Levites sin, and what were the consequences for their sin? (44:9-14). How does this passage demonstrate that, though God forgives repentant sinners, He does not always remove the consequences of our sin?

How were the Levitical priests obedient to the Lord, and what were the consequences for their obedience? (44:15-31). How does this passage demonstrate that God blesses or rewards us when we obey Him?

Explain how God rewards our obedience with the blessings of (44:15-16):

coming near to Him
ministering to Him
standing before Him
making offerings to Him
entering His sanctuary
approaching His table
keeping His charge

What does it mean for us as Christians that Christ is our inheritance? That Christ is our possession? (44:28) Examine 44:29-45:8a. How does the priests sharing in the offering that is made to God, and the apportioning of the land to the Lord, the priests, and the prince, point ahead to the concept that Christians are joint heirs with Christ?

5. Carefully examine 45:17 and compare the prince providing these offerings to the offerings the Prince of Peace has provided.

Homework

• Read my article Guilt and Shame: Burden or Blessing?

• Think back over a time of obedience or disobedience to God in your life. What were the consequences of your disobedience? The rewards of drawing nearer to God for your obedience? What did you learn from the consequences of your obedience or disobedience? Take some time to thank God for the consequences of disobedience and the blessings of obedience.