Today's lesson comes from Ezekiel 11: 14-21. Pelatiah was the son of Benaiah and one of the princes that Ezekiel uttered words of doom in Ezekiel 11: 5-12. When Pelatiah died, Ezekiel thought that it signified the wiping out of the remnant of the Jewish heritage. As chapter eleven opens, the Spirit of God brings Ezekiel to the eastern gate of the temple. He finds twenty-five men who "give wicked counsel" in the city. These were the leaders of the people. They advised the Jews to rebel against Babylon. Further, they said that the city was safe from destruction and God would keep the city from being destroyed. God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy against these wicked men. God declares that these men "have not walked in my statutes...but have done after the manners of the heathen." (v. 12) As Ezekiel finishes, one person drops dead. That death verified the certainty of the coming destruction. Ezekiel fears that God will destroy all Israel. God did not leave Ezekiel without an answer.
The first section is "The Remnant Identified." vv. 14,15 In these verses we learn that the inhabitants of Jerusalem that had not been taken captivity believed that they were religiously superior to those that had been removed. The remaining ones were contemptuous of the downtrodden. hey felt that God must despise those who had been deported, because they had been removed from the Promised Land. The Jews in Jerusalem made the mistake of "localizing" God. They believed that God was limited to Palestine and Jerusalem. The inhabitants of Jerusalem were egotistical, self-justifying, and censorious of others. However, God told Ezekiel that the "house of Israel" was actually to be found among those who had been taken away into captivity. Ezekiel's brothers in exile were the true remnant. While Ezekiel feared that the remnant would be destroyed in Jerusalem, God assured him that He had already spared the remnant who had been taken away.
The second section is "The Remnant Preserved." vv. 16-18 In these verses we see a beautiful portrayal of God's mercy and grace to a displaced people. God will preserve His people, gather them, and return them to the land. God's providential care is so evident. In the same way, God will be with us in all the circumstances of life. The people taken in captivity would be "as a little sanctuary." The people in Jerusalem believed those taken into captivity were forsaken by God. Those in Jerusalem had the temple but not God. Those in captivity had no temple but they had God.
After the remnant had been cured of idolatry, God would gather them, assemble them, and return them to the Promised Land. Upon returning, the exiles would "take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations." They would purge the land of idolatry which included statutes, high places, heathen altars, and images. Worship of the one true God would be established.
The third section is "The Remnant Transformed." vv. 19-21 God's power to transform the heart and life is seen in the lesson's last section. The result of change will be the ability to live in harmony with God's laws. There is a need for a heart change in every true believer. True religion is more than external conformity. It must come from a heart filled with love for God. God promises to give a "new heart" and a "new spirit." The transformation would be the result of God's free grace, not of works. The heart is the key to a person's spiritual condition and to his relationship with God. Having a heart whose affections that are set only on God will bring unity among the people of God.
Continued disobedience will result in men hardening their hearts against God. They become insensitive to the impressions of God's Spirit. God promises to give a "heart of flesh" which is a heart that is sensitive, capable of receiving spiritual leadership. This new heart will bring about inner transformation so men can now "walk in my statutes." The lesson closes with a solemn warning to those "whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things." God says He would "recompense their way upon their own heads." Sin will bring its own consequences and God will not restrain those consequences. At the end of Ezekiel's vision, the glory of the Lord departs from Jerusalem. Ezekiel is transported back to Babylon and the exiles. Ezekiel then tells his vision to the exiles and provides comforting words of God's promise of restoration.
The Golden Text is "I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them." (Amos 9:14) Verses eleven through fifteen of the ninth chapter describe the conditions of the millennium. Jesus will reign supreme. God's promises are sure. Though circumstances may appear to make fulfillment impossible, nothing is impossible with God.
My summary points:
1. Don't pass judgment on others due to their circumstances.
2. God is not restricted to a location.
3. Our outward life will manifest our inner heart condition.
Next week: "A Watchman." Ezekiel 33: 1-11.
Don't forget to read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
The second section is "The Remnant Preserved." vv. 16-18 In these verses we see a beautiful portrayal of God's mercy and grace to a displaced people. God will preserve His people, gather them, and return them to the land. God's providential care is so evident. In the same way, God will be with us in all the circumstances of life. The people taken in captivity would be "as a little sanctuary." The people in Jerusalem believed those taken into captivity were forsaken by God. Those in Jerusalem had the temple but not God. Those in captivity had no temple but they had God.
After the remnant had been cured of idolatry, God would gather them, assemble them, and return them to the Promised Land. Upon returning, the exiles would "take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations." They would purge the land of idolatry which included statutes, high places, heathen altars, and images. Worship of the one true God would be established.
The third section is "The Remnant Transformed." vv. 19-21 God's power to transform the heart and life is seen in the lesson's last section. The result of change will be the ability to live in harmony with God's laws. There is a need for a heart change in every true believer. True religion is more than external conformity. It must come from a heart filled with love for God. God promises to give a "new heart" and a "new spirit." The transformation would be the result of God's free grace, not of works. The heart is the key to a person's spiritual condition and to his relationship with God. Having a heart whose affections that are set only on God will bring unity among the people of God.
Continued disobedience will result in men hardening their hearts against God. They become insensitive to the impressions of God's Spirit. God promises to give a "heart of flesh" which is a heart that is sensitive, capable of receiving spiritual leadership. This new heart will bring about inner transformation so men can now "walk in my statutes." The lesson closes with a solemn warning to those "whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things." God says He would "recompense their way upon their own heads." Sin will bring its own consequences and God will not restrain those consequences. At the end of Ezekiel's vision, the glory of the Lord departs from Jerusalem. Ezekiel is transported back to Babylon and the exiles. Ezekiel then tells his vision to the exiles and provides comforting words of God's promise of restoration.
The Golden Text is "I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them." (Amos 9:14) Verses eleven through fifteen of the ninth chapter describe the conditions of the millennium. Jesus will reign supreme. God's promises are sure. Though circumstances may appear to make fulfillment impossible, nothing is impossible with God.
My summary points:
1. Don't pass judgment on others due to their circumstances.
2. God is not restricted to a location.
3. Our outward life will manifest our inner heart condition.
Next week: "A Watchman." Ezekiel 33: 1-11.
Don't forget to read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
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