Search The Scriptures—Study 3 — Ezekiel 3:22 – 5:17

Study 3 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 3:22 – 5:17

Jerusalem, under King Zedekiah, had recovered a measure of strength after its capture by Nebuchadrezzar in 597 BC, and false prophets were prophesying a period of divine favour (see Je. 28: 1-4). These reports reached the exiles in Babylon, and the burden of Ezekiel’s message at this time was that, on the contrary, Jerusalem was about to experience God’s judgements.

The closing verses of chapter 3 are best regarded as an introduction to the prophecies of chapters 4-24, which all relate to the approaching judgement on Jerusalem. During this time, the prophet was commanded to live in seclusion, as if bound and dumb, except when God gave him some message to deliver (3:25-27).

1.     In chapters 4:1- 5:4 the prophet is directed to show by four symbolic actions the impending siege of Jerusalem, with its privations and sufferings, and also the plight of those who would be carried into exile after the city’s fall. What were these actions? Which of them refer to the siege, and which to the sufferings of those who would be carried into captivity? With 4:13, cf. Ho. 9:3, 4; and note the explanation of 5:1 – 4 in 5:12.

2.     What is said in 5:5-17 of (a) the reasons, (b) the nature, and (c) the purposes of the terrible judgment that was about to fall upon Jerusalem?  Some Christians are less Christian in their lives than many who reject or ignore Christ.  In the light of these verses what may we infer to be God’s attitude to this sad fact?

Notes

1.     4:10, 11. Food restricted to eight ounces, and water to two pints or less. Cf. 4:16.

2.     4:15. Animal dung was, and still is, a recognized form of fuel in the East.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Ezekiel 2:1 – 3:21

Study 2 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 2:1 – 3:21

1.     To whom was Ezekiel sent, and how are they descried? What was to be the theme of his message to them? See 2:3-7; 3:4-11.

2.     What two meanings are symbolized by the eating of the scroll, one having reference to the prophet himself (2:8), and the other to his ministry (3:4)? Consider the application of these things to all who would be God’s messengers.

3.     What consolations are there in these verses for one called to witness for the Lord among those who are obstinately opposed to the Gospel? Why is such opposition no excuse for ceasing to witness (2:5b)? What are the four possible cases which are cited in 3:17-21? What relevance do these have for the work of Christian ministers today?

Notes

1.     2: 1, 3. ‘Son of man’: a phrase occurring over ninety times in Ezekiel It is used to draw attention to the prophet’s insignificance and mere humanity.

4.      2:6. ‘Briers and thorns… scorpions’: symbols of the trials he would suffer.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Ezekiel 1

Study 1 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 1

The vision of this chapter was of supreme importance in Ezekiel’s life. Not only was it the occasion of his call to be a prophet, but it was also the medium through which a new conception of God was revealed to him which was to mould his prophetic ministry.

1.     As the vision of God’s chariot-throne is outlined, follow the prophet’s description of it, part by part: first the living creatures (verses 5-14), then the wheels (verses 15-21), with the throne on top, and finally the One who sat there.  How is God described, and what is meant to teach about the nature of God?

2.     What do you find symbolized by the other features of the vision: the living creatures, the wheels, the throne, etc.?

Notes

1.     Verse 1. ‘In the thirtieth year…’probably of Ezekiel’s age, i.e., the year when he would have begun to function as a priest had he remained in Jerusalem.

2.     Verse 3. ‘The hand of the Lord was upon him there’: a phrase used else where in the book to signify a prophetic trance or ecstasy. See 3:22; 8:1; 33:22; 37:1.

3.     Verse 5. ‘Four living creatures’: heavenly beings, yet representing the highest form of life on earth (among birds, domestic animals, wild animals and the whole creation respectively), and indicating perhaps that all created things are under God’s control.

4.     Verses 19-21. Observe that there was no mechanical framework to the chariot.  All was spiritual, and responsive to the Spirit.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — Introduction to Ezekiel

Study 0  From the Book of Ezekiel is: The Introduction of the book of Ezekiel 

Ezekiel was one of many taken captive by Nebuchadrezzar in the first captivity, commonly referred to as the captivity of King Jehoiachin (e.g., 1:2), because this king himself was among those carried away.  This occurred in 597 BC, eleven years before the actual destruction of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel was a priest as well as a prophet. He began prophesying in 592 BC and continued till at least 570 BC. See 1:2 and 29:17. His ministry was divided into two distinct periods by the destruction of Jerusalem (586 bc). Before this event it was his painful task to disillusion his fellow-exiles, to proclaim that all hopes of the early deliverance of the city and speedy return of the exiles were vain. Jerusalem must fall.  After this event, the character of his ministry completely changed. He sought to rebuke despair and to afford comfort and hope by promises of future deliverance and restoration.

To witness with the object firs of overthrowing men’s natural hopes, and then of overcoming men’s inevitable despair, is a work that can be undertaken and carried through only under the constraint and by the inspiration of a divine commission. Such a commission was Ezekiel’s compelling urge.  He was a man whose whole life was dominated by his sense of vocation and responsibility as a prophet—as God’s messenger to his fellows. Similar necessity is laid upon us to be God’s witness, and the essential truth of Ezekiel’s message should be the unchanging truth of our own. Because God is righteous, sin must be punished; old things must pass away.  But, because God is gracious, and has provided a salvation for sinners there is a gospel of hope for the hopeless; in Christ all things can become new.

Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — Philippians 4

Study 7 From the Book of Philippians is: Philippians 4

With this study, we end the book of Philippians. Tomorrow we will start the book of Ezekiel

1.     Note in detail how the believer’s relationship to the Lord should make a difference (a) to his own condition, (b) to his attitude to circumstances, and (c) to his relationship to people. Note the importance of the mind and its right use; and note what God can do for our minds. Cf. Is. 26:3. Examine your own life to discover ways in which you may trust Christ to make you ‘different’.

2.     What teaching is implicit in this passage about (a) the bond effected by Christian giving; (b) the need for regularity in it; (c) the way God looks at it; and (d) the need for regularity in it; and (d) the way in which He repays it? Cf. Lk. 6:38

Notes

1.     Verse 5.  ‘The Lord is at hand’: this may mean either that the Lord is close by, at their side (cf. Ps. 119:151), or that His coming is imminent.

2.     Verse 18. ‘A fragrant offering’ (RSV), or ‘an odour of a sweet smell’ (AV, RV): a phrase used in the Old Testament of acceptable offerings. Cf. Gn. 8:21; Lv. 1:9, 13; Eph. 5:2.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — Philippians 3:12-21

Study 6 From the Book of Philippians is: Philippians 3:12-21

1.     Verses 12-17.  Once a person knows he is ‘saved’ or ‘justified’, what attitude should he adopt to life?  Even after he has ‘grown up’ as a Christian and become ‘mature’, what concern should still dominate his thoughts? What is he never justified in doing? How in consequence ought I to be acting?

2.     Verses 18-21.  What kind of outlook, interest and expectation should a Christian have, and why? By contrast, what kind of appetite and interests dominates some?  What difference should the cross of Christ make to my daily life? Cf. Gal. 5:24; 6:14.

Notes

1.     Verse 12, 15. ‘Perfect’ or ‘mature’: the Greek word means ‘having reached its end’. It was used of persons who were full-grown or mature.

2.     Verse 20. The thought here is that Christians here on earth are a colony of heavenly citizen, just as the Philippians’ were proud to think of themselves as a colony of Romans citizens.  Cf. Acts 16: 12, 21

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Philippians 3:1-11

Study   From the Book of Philippians is: Philippians 3:1-11

Paul now turns to another subject—possibly, as some think, resuming his writing after a break.  His subject now is the essential character of the Christian life from its beginning in justification by faith to its glorious consummation at the coming of the Lord; and he illustrates the theme from his own life.

1.     What three characteristics of the true people of God are given in verse 3? How far are they true of me?

2.     Examine carefully the reasons for ‘confidence in the flesh’ which Paul enumerates in verses 4-6. Are there not many church-goers today who are relying for salvation on just such grounds as these? What, in contrast to all this, is the position of the true Christian? What choice does Paul show needs to be made in order to become one?

3.     Faith in Christ as the sole ground for acceptance with God led, in Paul’s case, to intense desire to know Christ; nothing else seemed to him of any value (verses 8, 9). Along what two lines in particular did he want a deeper knowledge (verse 10), and to what end (verse 11)?

Notes

1.     Verse 2. Note the empathic ‘look out’, repeated three times. A word meaning ‘incision’ or ‘mutilation’ is here used instead of ‘circumcision’, because the circumcision on which they insisted was harmful rather than helpful to spiritual well-being. Cf.  Gal. 5:2-4; 6:12-15.

2.     Verses 3, 4. ‘Confidence in the flesh’: i.e., reliance upon outward privilege and personal merit. ‘We are the true circumcision’: i.e, the true people of God. Cf. Rom. 2:17, 23, 28,29.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — Philippians 2:19-30

Study 4 From the Book of Philippians is: Philippians 2:19-30

1.     What is said here or can be inferred about the character and career of Epaphroditus? Note carefully how the two workers here mentioned personally exemplified the virtues considered under the previous study, i.e., they had the mind of Christ. Compare verses 20, 21 with 4, 5; and verses 29, 30 with 5:8. Examine your own life in relation to these standards. 

2.     What phrase occurs three times in this passage and several other times in the letter? What clue does 4:2 give as to one reason for this repeated emphasis? Are our hopes for the future and our relationships under the same sway as Paul’s?

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Search The Scriptures—Study 3 — Philippians 1:27-2:18

Study 3 From the Book of Philippians is: Philippians 1:27-2:18

1.     Make a list of the things (a) to be coveted, and (b) to be avoided in one’s life as a member of a company of Christians.  Then pray, and by God’s grace determine, that these things shall be (a) realized and (b) avoided in your own Christian fellowship. Note especially the direct connection between these things and witness to those who are not Christians.

2.     What two qualities of personal character and conduct are here shown to be supremely exemplified in the incarnation and the redemptive work of the Son of God? What ground have we for hoping to be able to have and to express the same qualities?  How ought we to act in consequence?

3.     Why does disunity amongst Christians discredit the gospel? What does Paul here teach about (a) the motive for unity, and (b)the power by which it may be achieved?

Note. 2:6-11. It is generally thought that these verses are here quoted by Paul from an early Christian creedal hymn. It is worth committing this section to memory and exploring it in depth.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Philippians 1:12-26

Study 2 From the Book of Philippians is: Philippians 1:12-26

1.     The things that had happened to Paul must have seemed calamitous to those who loved him.  Why did he himself view the situation differently? What lesson about suffering may a Christian draw from Paul’s attitude?

2.     What was Paul’s attitude as a Christian (a) to life, and (b) to death?  What were his reasons for choosing one rather than the other?  What were his overriding concerns?  Have you faced every possibility that lies before you in the same way?

3.     What temptation in Christian service is it clear from this passage that Paul steadfastly resisted?  How had others succumbed? What kind of slant might their preaching have had in relation to Paul? In what shape does the same temptation come to us? What should be our chief reason for Joy? Cf. Jn. 3:25-30.

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