Ezekiel 20

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Israel’s Rebellion, God’s Restoration

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God’s grace to Israel in the past is evident in their preservation.

  2. God’s grace to Israel in the future will be evident in their restoration.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t explain away the Bible as a parable.

QUESTIONS

  1. How did the Lord respond to the inquiries of the elders of Israel in verse 1?

  2. Verses 5-32 review the history of Israel when they had been unfaithful during ____ periods of her history. Describe these periods of unfaithfulness and the principle sin of the people in each period.

  3. In spite of the rebelliousness of Israel, God in His grace ___________________ them.

  4. In verses 33-44, the time of Israel’s history shifts from their past to the present time and into the future. These verses show us God’s dealings with Israel in the future _________________ period.

  5. Because of Israel’s continued rebellion throughout this present time, what action would God take as He disciplined them?

  6. The good news is that God would _______________ Israel as a believing nation after the __________________ period.

ANSWERS

  1. God rebuked the elders for making inquiries (v 3) and through Ezekiel gave them a message of judgment because they were not judging themselves for their past and present sins of idolatry.

  2. The history covered in these verses covers four periods of Israel’s unfaithfulness. They were: a. During the time in Egypt, when they were already involved in idolatry. b. During the time in the wilderness, when they profaned God’s sabbaths. c. During the time in the promised land, when they used the land as places of sacrifice. d. During the time of Ezekiel, when they continued to defile themselves with idols.

  3. In spite of Israel’s continued and repeated rebelliousness, God in His grace preserved His people.

  4. Verses 33-44 show us God’s dealings with Israel in the Tribulation Period, yet to take place in the future.

  5. Throughout the present time, God would scatter His people (v 34), then bring them under His rod of discipline (v 37), and judge them and purge out the rebels (v 38).

  6. The good news is that God will restore Israel as a believing nation after the Tribulation period when they will turn from their idolatry (v 39) and faithfully serve the Lord (v 40).

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Why was God so patient and merciful toward the sinfulness of His people Israel? Has He changed today, either in the way He deals with the Jewish people, or as He deals with the people in the body of Christ today? Consider situations today that may parallel the repeated sinfulness and rebelliousness of the nation Israel during the ages prior to Christ’s birth.

CHALLENGE

  1. Look for the teaching of truth in the parables of the Bible. Whether in the Old Testament, like the parable here in verses 45-49, or in the New Testament in the parables spoken by our Lord, do not overlook the truth which is taught in each one, truth often applicable to you at the moment!

KEY VERSES

  • “I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out.” Ezekiel 20:34

  • “Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for which I lifted My hand in an oath to give to your fathers.” Ezekiel 20:42



Ezekiel, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsEzekiel 20