Ladies Bible Study – Page 18

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

Read Ezekiel 33-34

Questions to Consider

1. Review your notes from last week’s lesson and be reminded of the things that lead into, and set the stage for, this week’s passage.

2. Read 33:1-9. What was the purpose of a (literal) watchman in Ezekiel’s day? Explain God’s charge to Ezekiel in this passage. Who was he to warn, and what was he to warn them about? What would be the consequences for Ezekiel for not warning the people as God commanded? What would be the result for him if he did obey God’s command to warn them?

Are there any general principles we can draw from this passage about our responsibility to share the gospel with the lost? What about confronting sin in a fellow Christian or warning the church against false teachers? Are the consequences Ezekiel faced for warning/not warning the same for Christians warning/not warning against sin and unbelief? Which New Testament Scriptures can you think of that would seem to be in line with, or would indicate a difference from, 33:1-9 for Christians?

Why do God’s people, in Ezekiel’s day and now, need watchmen? What does this passage teach us about God’s perspective on sin and repentance?

3. Did 33:1-9 or the questions in #2 ring a bell? That’s because God originally called Ezekiel to be a watchman for Israel back in chapter 3. Review your answers to #2 in lesson 3 (link above) and compare them to your answers to #2 here. What are the differences or similarities between 3:16-21 and 33:1-9? Why do you think God addressed this twice? (Hint: Who is God’s message for in 3:16 and 33:2?)

4. Read 33:10-20. Explain the heart of God toward sinners. Does God delight or take joy in exercising His wrath against sinners? What is His posture toward sinners? How does this passage explain repentance and God’s forgiveness of sin? How does it showcase God’s mercy toward sinners?

This passage talks a great deal about people’s wicked or righteous behavior. Is this chapter teaching works righteousness (that we can earn right standing with God by our good behavior or obeying His laws)? How do you know – based on specific Scriptures and the fact that the Bible doesn’t contradict itself – that it is not? What is the spiritual motivation for the righteous behavior described in this passage?

Is 33:18 saying that a person can lose her salvation? How do you know – based on specific Scriptures and the fact that the Bible doesn’t contradict itself – that it is not?

How does 33:18-19 show that God’s way of reckoning sin and righteousness is just and Israel’s way is unjust (33:17, 20)?

Imagine you’re one of the few faithful Israelites during this time. You love the Lord and do your best to obey Him. How would this passage comfort you and reassure you as you keep hearing these messages of God’s impending wrath?

5. Did 33:10-20 or the questions in #4 seem familiar? That’s because God already communicated this message, in greater detail, in chapter 18. Review your answers to #3 in lesson 9 (link above) and compare them to your answers to #4 here. What are the differences or similarities between chapter 18 and 33:10-20? Why do you think God addressed this twice?

6. Read 33:21-33. Apparently a few people fled to the wilderness on the outskirts of Jerusalem and hid there when the city fell. Think about all the wrath God has poured out on Jerusalem thus far. Why would any Israelite in his right mind still think he would have possession of the land? How does God spell things out for them in 33:25-29?

Are there any New Testament passages that come to mind as you read 33:30-33? Compare 33:30-33 with these passages and any others you thought of. How does this demonstrate the principle that those who truly love God will obey Him? What are your thoughts on this principle?

7. Read chapter 34. This chapter contains both “near” prophecy (“right now” meaning and application for Ezekiel and Israel) and “far” prophecy (meaning and application for God’s people far in the future).

Who is/are the following, and what is happening with each of them in the “near” prophecy of Ezekiel’s day?

The shepherds–

The sheep (34:31)-

The wild beasts-

Reading this passage through the lens of “far” prophecy, who is “my servant David” (34:23-24)?

Carefully examine 33:25-31. Has any of this passage been fulfilled yet, either for the nation of Israel or for the church? If so, which parts? What does this passage point ahead to in general?

Compare chapter 34 to the following passages and any other shepherd/sheep motif passages you’re familiar with. How does God shepherd His people? In what ways is Jesus the Good Shepherd? How are we, His people similar to sheep? How are false teachers of today aptly described by chapter 34?

What are some ways the church today can properly apply chapter 34 to itself?

Homework

• Add 33:29, 34:27, 30 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

Ezekiel Bible Study

Ezekiel ~ Lesson 14

September 23, 2020September 23, 2020 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Read Ezekiel 29-32

Questions to Consider

1. Review your notes from last week’s lesson and be reminded of the things that lead into, and set the stage for, this week’s passage. From any previous knowledge of the Old Testament you may have, what were some of the connections between Israel and Egypt on various occasions? What was the relationship between these two nations like?

2. Read chapters 29-32. Write a 2-3 sentence summary of this passage. How is the general theme of last week’s passage the same as the general theme of this week’s passage?

3. Using a good Old Testament map, locate Egypt, the Nile River, and any of the other cities or geographical locations mentioned in this passage (if possible). Where were these located in relation to Israel? Recall from lesson 10 (link above) what God said about Israel’s reputation in the eyes of the pagan nations surrounding them.

If you’re not familiar with ancient Egyptian life, religion, and culture, give this brief article a read. (Note- this is not a Christian site. On a totally unrelated note- if you homeschool, you may find this to be a helpful teaching site.)

3. Break this passage down into the sins Egypt committed and the God’s judgment for those sins:

Sin (29:6b-7)-
Judgment (29:8-9a)-

Sin (29:9b)-
Judgment (29:10-16)-

Sin (30:13a)-
Judgment (30:13b-19- The places listed in this passage are cities in Egypt.)-

Sin (32:2)-
Judgment (32:3-15)-

4. Compare what you know of the splendor, power, and influence of Egypt before God’s judgment in 29:13-16 to Egypt’s status after 29:13-16, even to what you know about Egypt’s status today. Has God kept the promise He made in that passage? Considering Egypt’s power and influence over much of the known world in ancient times, what is the significance of God’s judgment on Egypt’s allies in 30:5-9?

5. 29:17-20: What is God referring to here about Tyre? Refresh your memory by reviewing lesson 13 (link above). Whom did God use to carry out His judgment on Egypt? Why? (also 30:10-12, 20-26)

6. (The key to understanding chapter 31 is to understand who God is talking to, to whom He is comparing them, and what similarities between the two are causing God to make the comparison.) Who is God talking to? (31:2,18d) To whom is God comparing Egypt? (31:3a) What similarities between Assyria’s (31:3-10) and Egypt’s power and their influence on Israel would cause God to compare them and their fate to one another?

7. In chapter 32, what does “uncircumcised” signify about all of these people groups? What do “to the world below, to those who have gone down to the pit” (32:18) and “Sheol” (32:21) indicate about the fate of Egypt, Assyria, and all the other peoples mentioned in 32:20-32?

8. How do these chapters point us toward the following concepts:

God punishes sin.
The uncircumcised of heart will spend eternity experiencing God’s wrath and judgment.
Might does not make right when it comes to our relationship with God.
The bigger they are, the harder they fall. / Pride goeth before a fall.
Sinners must humble themselves, repent, and throw themselves on the mercy of God for salvation.

9. What can we learn from Egypt about the sins of pride, idolatry, and sitting in the seat of God (29:3b,9b) in our own lives? What are the opposites of these sins – the things we should be doing instead?

10. In what way(s) does this passage point us to Christ?

Homework

• Add 29:6,9,16,21, 30:8,19,25,26, and 32:15 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

Ezekiel Bible Study

Ezekiel ~ Lesson 13

September 16, 2020September 15, 2020 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Read Ezekiel 26-28

Questions to Consider

1. Review your notes from last week’s lesson and be reminded of the things that lead into, and set the stage for, this week’s passage.

2. Read chapters 26-28. Using a good Old Testament map, locate Tyre, Sidon, and any of the other cities or geographical locations mentioned (if possible). Where were these located in relation to Israel? Recall from lesson 10 (link above) what God said about Israel’s reputation in the eyes of the pagan nations surrounding them.

Read this article. If you are unfamiliar with Tyre, it will help shed some light on this passage.

3. What did Tyre do that brought God’s judgment upon them? (26:2, 27:3b, 28:2-6, 17a) What were the consequences of their actions? (26:3-21)

4. What metaphor does God use to describe Tyre’s beauty, power, and influence in 27:4-9? How was Tyre the “flagship” city of its time and region? (27:10-25)

Why would the surrounding nations be so appalled at the downfall of Tyre? (27:28-32,35-36)

5. What did Sidon do that brought God’s judgment upon them? (28:24) What were the consequences of their actions? (28:22-23)

6. List the passages in chapters 26-28 which bear out the truths of “The bigger they are, the harder they fall,” and “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,” (Proverbs 16:18):

The bigger they are… / Pride/a haughty spirit go before…

…the harder they fall. / …a fall.

7. After studying God’s judgment and wrath against Israel for their heinous sins over the past several lessons, why do you think God would exercise judgment against pagan peoples like Tyre for coming against Israel? (28:24) Think about this through the lens of the parent-child relationship, in which God, the Father, is disciplining His rebellious child, Israel. When you are disciplining your own child for her sin, does that mean you are OK with other people being abusive toward her? Why or why not? What is God’s long term goal for exercising judgment against Israel’s neighbors who have stood against her? (28:25-26)

8. What can we learn from Tyre and Sidon about the sins of pride, idolizing wealth and power, trusting in wealth and power instead of trusting in God, and failing to give God thanks and glory for how He has blessed us and the work He has done in our lives?

9. Compare God’s wrath against Tyre and Sidon for pridefully trusting in themselves rather than God to the judgment that awaits individuals, who, in their pride and rebellion think in their hearts, “I sit in the seat of God (28:2) over my own life.” What will be their eternal fate? How should this inform our evangelism?

Homework

• Add 26:6, 28:22, 23, 24, 26 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

Ezekiel Bible Study

Ezekiel ~ Lesson 12

September 9, 2020September 8, 2020 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Read Ezekiel 24-25

Questions to Consider

1. Review your notes from last week’s lesson and be reminded of the things that lead into, and set the stage for, this week’s passage. How does the theme of chapters 22-23 give us background for the beginning of chapter 24? What is the setting for chapter 24? (24:2) Recall- where is Ezekiel right now that God has to tell him what’s happening in Jerusalem?

2. Usually, when God has Ezekiel warn the people through a parable, He gives the explanation of the parable afterwards. This time, God gives the explanation beforehand, in 24:2b. What is the general idea this parable in 24:3-14 is about? Read 24:1-14 in through the lens of 24:2b to help you understand it, and be sure to use your cross-references as you read.

(If you do not understand the Old Testament concept and tactics of siege as a military attack strategy, I would strongly recommend that you read this article.)

It may also help you understand 24:1-14 better to get a particular visual in your head: Which city is being besieged in this parable? (24:2b) And by what was Jerusalem completely encircled? Picture that structure: a piece of land with a wall around its circumference. Now picture one of your cooking pots – a flat bottom with “walls” around its circumference. See the structural similarity? So, if Jerusalem is the “pot,” what is in the pot? (24:4-5) What does the fire underneath the pot (24:10) represent? (Hint: In lesson 10 {link above} we recalled that God’s _____ is often represented by fire.) Once the fire of God’s wrath is lit by the Babylonian siege, what’s going to happen to the Israelites in the “pot” of Jerusalem?

What does it mean that the “pot” has “corrosion” in it? (24:6, 11-12) What is God going to do to the “pot” because of that corrosion? (24:11-14)

In 24:7-8, use your cross-references and explain the significance of the blood shed in Jerusalem being “poured out on the bare rock” instead of poured out on the ground and covered. (Hint: Think back to the concept of shame over sin from lesson 10 {link above}.) Since Israel has shed blood publicly and unashamedly, how will God execute His wrath upon them (24:8)? Think about this passage in light of your own repentance for sin and Christ’s blood covering your sin and shame. Look at 24:13: “I would have cleansed you…” and compare this with 18:23, 31-32 (you may also want to revisit lesson 9 {link above}). Describe God’s heart toward the sinner. Does He take pleasure in exercising wrath against sinners?

3. Read 24:15-27. Explain in your own words what would happen to Ezekiel’s wife, how Ezekiel would act in response, and what this was to communicate to the people. Use your cross-references to understand why things like putting on his turban and shoes would have seemed strange to the people for someone whose wife had just died. Why would God not allow the people to mourn over the desecration of temple and the loss of the sons and daughters they had left behind in Jerusalem when they went into exile?

4. Read chapter 25. Using a good Old Testament map, locate Ammon, Moab/Seir, Edom, and Philistia, and any of the other cities or geographical locations mentioned. Where were these located in relation to Israel? Recall from lesson 10 (link above) what God said about Israel’s reputation in the eyes of the pagan nations surrounding them.

What was the main sin God judged each of these nations for, and what was their punishment?

Ammon (25:1-7)-

Moab/Seir (25:8-11)-

Edom (25:12-14)-

Philistia (25:15-17)-

Consider the mockery of God’s people by Ammon, and the punishment God meted out for this mockery, and compare this to the New Testament mentions of mockers and scoffers against Jesus, Christians, and the church.

5. What group of people is God exercising His wrath upon in chapter 24? In chapter 25? When it comes to God’s wrath against sin, if you’re an unrepentant sinner does it matter whether or not you say you’re one of God’s people? Does God view you any differently than a pagan?

Homework

• Add 24:24, 27, and 25:5, 7, 11, 17 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.

• Think about God’s Father/child relationship to Israel in light of earthly parent/child relationships (if you don’t have children, think back to when you were a child or think about other parents you know). When your child has misbehaved, have you ever said, “I expect better from you than that,” or, “You know better than that.”? What did you mean when you said that? Explain why God would take that same posture with His “child,” Israel, compared with His “I might have expected that from the neighbor kid,” posture toward the pagan nations surrounding Israel.

Suggested Memory Verse

Ezekiel Bible Study

Ezekiel ~ Lesson 11

September 2, 2020September 1, 2020 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Read Ezekiel 22-23

Questions to Consider

1. Review your notes from last week’s lesson and be reminded of the things that lead into, and set the stage for, this week’s passage.

2. Read chapter 22.

Which city is “the bloody city”? (22:2) How did it earn this nickname? (22:3,4,6)

Make a list of every sin God charges people with in this chapter:

The People’s (Israel’s) Sin

The Princes’ Sin

The Prophets’ Sin

The Priests’ Sin

How does listing out these sins impact you? What impact should it have had on each of these groups of people for their sins to be publicly enumerated and exposed? How did God say the surrounding nations would regard Israel? (22:4-5,16) What was God’s desired end result in publicly shaming these groups of people? Is shame always a bad thing? Has feeling guilty or ashamed over a sin ever led you to repent of that sin?

3. Explain the dross metaphor in 22:17-22. Why do you think God’s wrath is so often compared to fire in Scripture?

4. Compare the false prophets and sinning priests in 22:25-28 to false teachers and wayward pastors today. What are some similarities and/or differences you see? What about false teachers (for example, Paula White) who advise governmental leaders (22:28)?

5. Take a moment and let 22:30 really sink in. When God searched for a righteous man to stand in the breach in Genesis 6, how many did He find? In Genesis 18-19? Read 2 Chronicles 16:9a. Contemplate the weight of Israel’s sin and the level of depravity they had sunk to as you consider that they were God’s covenant people – not pagans, as in the stories of Noah and Lot – and God could not find a single righteous person in their midst.

6. Read chapter 23. (Brace yourself, this chapter is not for the faint of heart. If you are doing this study with a younger child, you may want to read the chapter first and consider how you will address the adult themes it contains.)

Were Oholah and Oholibah real people, or is this story a parable/metaphor? (23:4b) What do each of the “sisters” represent? (23:4b)

Explain “Oholah’s” sin in your own words. (23:5-10)

Explain “Oholibah’s” sin in your own words. (23:11-21). How did Oholibah’s sin compare to Oholah’s sin? (23:11)

Why does God use such gross and explicit (yet, non-sinful) language to describe Samaria’s and Jerusalem’s sin? (23:5-21, 36-45) What does this teach us about how God views sin, and thus, how we should view sin? What was God’s response to their sin? (23:18) Consider the amount of sin Jesus bore in His body on the tree – far more than just the sins of chapter 23. How does God’s response to sin in 23:18 help you better understand Mark 15:34? Have you ever been as disgusted by your own sin as you were when you read the depiction of sin in chapter 23? Why or why not?

7. Describe the consequences 23:22-35, 46-49 spells out for Jerusalem and Samaria. Compare these consequences to the depiction of Jerusalem’s sin earlier in the chapter. Is God being unfair or punishing Jerusalem too harshly? What do these consequences tell us about how seriously God takes sin? Does God take your sin just as seriously as He took Jerusalem’s sin? Why or why not? If God was willing to execute judgment this extreme against sin on earth, what does that tell you about the judgment He will exercise against unbelievers in eternity? What does it tell you about the mercy and grace of God that Christ absorbed this extreme wrath and judgment against your sin in your place? Think about how you might convey these ideas to someone you’re sharing the gospel with.

8. Why does God consider idolatry to be spiritual adultery? (23:37) Have you ever considered your own sins of idolatry as spiritual adultery?

9. How should these horrific descriptions of sin, wrath, and judgment lead Christians to worship God and be thankful to Him?

Homework

• Add 22:16, 22 and 23:49 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.

• Read my article Guilt and Shame- Burden or Blessing?, and consider any biblically appropriate or biblically inappropriate guilt and shame you may be experiencing, and what your godly response should be.

• Note how many times in these chapters that God talks about the sin of “disregarding” His Sabbaths. Compare this to Hebrews 10:24-25. Which principles (if any) regarding God’s wrath toward those disregarding His Sabbaths, apply to New Testament Christians forsaking the gathering of the church body?