NextLevel Online: Ezekiel

Ezekiel 8-11

In this section Ezekiel is transported in a vision to the city of Jerusalem where he sees the idolatry that is occurring there. This gives us more detail as to the nature of God’s disapproval of the people, but it also helps us to grapple with the nature of idolatry and how it can creep into our own hearts.
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Ezekiel 8-11

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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

Classroom Instructions

Lesson
12:31Session 4 VideoSession 4 Video

In this section, Ezekiel is transported in a vision to the city of Jerusalem where he sees the idolatry that is occurring there. This gives us more detail as to the nature of God’s disapproval of the people, but it also helps us to grapple with the nature of idolatry and how it can creep into our own hearts.

The City Full of Idols

The figure of glowing metal and fire gives Ezekiel a tour of the temple in Jerusalem. From various vantage points, he can observe different kinds of idolatry.

There was an “idol of jealousy” and altars to unclean animals. There are people showing devotion to the Mesopotamian god Tammuz, who is associated with a shepherd and flourishing fruit. Other people are bowing down to the sun.

At the heart of all of this is that the devotion God’s people should have for him, the one true God, has been directed toward anything and everything that the people think may be able to secure a better life for them.

As a response to the people’s idolatry the glory of God departed from the temple.

Promise of Restoration

In light of the idolatry of the people of God, God reconfirms his intention to bring judgment on the city. But out of this ruin will come restoration.

Ezekiel 11:17

“Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’”

Ezekiel 11:19-20

“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

  • Essentially idolatry is trusting other things for something only God can provide. What are some things you might be tempted to trust in more than God?
  • If you were to imagine yourself as the people in Ezekiel’s vision bowing down to your idols, how does that make you feel?
  • As believers, we have the presence of God within us through the Holy Spirit. What does an undivided heart look like as we cherish God’s presence with us?

Ezekiel 8-11 Instructions

Lesson
12:31Session 4 VideoSession 4 Video

In this section, Ezekiel is transported in a vision to the city of Jerusalem where he sees the idolatry that is occurring there. This gives us more detail as to the nature of God’s disapproval of the people, but it also helps us to grapple with the nature of idolatry and how it can creep into our own hearts.

The City Full of Idols

The figure of glowing metal and fire gives Ezekiel a tour of the temple in Jerusalem. From various vantage points, he can observe different kinds of idolatry.

There was an “idol of jealousy” and altars to unclean animals. There are people showing devotion to the Mesopotamian god Tammuz, who is associated with a shepherd and flourishing fruit. Other people are bowing down to the sun.

At the heart of all of this is that the devotion God’s people should have for him, the one true God, has been directed toward anything and everything that the people think may be able to secure a better life for them.

As a response to the people’s idolatry the glory of God departed from the temple.

Promise of Restoration

In light of the idolatry of the people of God, God reconfirms his intention to bring judgment on the city. But out of this ruin will come restoration.

Ezekiel 11:17

“Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’”

Ezekiel 11:19-20

“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

  • Essentially idolatry is trusting other things for something only God can provide. What are some things you might be tempted to trust in more than God?
  • If you were to imagine yourself as the people in Ezekiel’s vision bowing down to your idols, how does that make you feel?
  • As believers, we have the presence of God within us through the Holy Spirit. What does an undivided heart look like as we cherish God’s presence with us?