Journal Through the Bible: Week 81 Tuesday

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Ezekiel chapter 11

The vision begun in chapter 9 continues. Not only did the glory of the LORD leave the temple but it also left the city of Jerusalem. When the vision ended and the Spirit returned Ezekiel to Chaldea, he told the elders of Judah with him in his house about the vision.

Does God issue any commands?

• When God took Ezekiel to the east gate and showed him the 25 men that devised mischief and wicked counsel He told him to prophesy against them saying that the city was not a cauldron and the people were the flesh boiling in the pot. God would bring them out of there and they would fall by the sword of strangers. (When Ezekiel prophesied one of the men fell down dead!)

Does God make any promises?

• God promised that when the things that Ezekiel prophesied came to pass the  men would know that Jehovah is God.
• When Ezekiel prayed and asked God if He would destroy all of them God answered with the promise of a remnant. God promised that He would be their refuge even within the countries where they would be scattered. Then He would bring them back to the land.

Doe this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Verse 20 says that God's people will follow His statutes, they will be His people and He will be their God. This is the promise of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us! He will be the ruler, we will be His people and He will be our God.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Many of the Jews are scattered around the world. In the future, perhaps during the time of the tribulation, the Jews will be gathered to their homeland. Those who are spiritually Jews will be gathered to the homeland that God has appointed also. God always has a remnant and He always brings His remnant Home! When this happens, the people of God will have one heart because the new spirit (the Holy Spirit) is within them. God's Word will be law, they shall be His people and He will be their God. (See verses 19 and 20.) Those whose hearts follow their own detestable ways will be recompensed accordingly. (See verse 21.)