Study 12 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel
18 and 19
The teaching of national
retribution in chapter 16 and other passages seems to have raised doubts as to
the justice of God’s dealings with individuals (18:2, 29). This is the subject
of chapter 18. Chapter 19 is a lament.
1.
Two
fundamental principles are stated in 18:4 in answer to the people’s complaint
in 18:2. How would you express these in your own words? What verses in the New
Testament can you think of which emphasize the same ideas?
2.
In
the remainder of chapter 18 two questions are answered: (a) Is each man
responsible to God for his own acts, and for these alone (see verses
5-20)? (b) If a man turn from his past
way of life, will that past affect God’s judgment upon him (see verses 21-29)?
How does this teaching reveal not only God’s justice, but also His mercy? Why
does it lead on immediately to the call to repentance of verses 30-32?
3.
Chapter
19 is a lament over three of the kings of Judah. Try to identify these by comparing verses 3
and 4 with 2 Ki. 23:31-34; verses 5-9 with 2 Ki. 24:8-15; and verses 10-14 with
2 Ki. 25:4-11. What did they all have in common?
Notes
1.
18:6,
11, 15. ‘Eat upon the mountains’: i.e., join in idolatrous forms of worship.
Cf. 6:1-4.
2.
19:14.
The fire which brought destruction sprang from the ruler himself, i.e.,
Zedekiah. See 17:19-21.
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