Ezekiel Revisted.....Part 2

Page 2 of notes on my study of Ezekiel:

• God takes away and restores again, even ungodly nations. He rewards his instruments (Nebuchadnezzar) (Ez. 29) (vs. 21 reference to Christ.
• God is very detailed - he can do anything he says - we cannot understand his ways. (Ez 30)
• God is sovereign - he makes nations & kings to rise and fall. A mighty Cedar (Egypt) is taken down by a ruthless nation (Babylon). They thought they were invincible, not so. (Ez 31)
• War - What is it good for? Here I began to realize was is part of God's judgement. War is an awful thing, but if you look throughout history, what causes war? Outwardly man because of sin, but also God's sovereignty. - War is part of God's plan for man - he allows it for his purposes. I need to remember here "My ways are not your ways". (Ez 32)
• To obey God and preach him to all I meet. Here Ezekiel's job was done, at least in part. His mouth was opened because the prophecy cam to be - Jerusalem had fallen. (Ez 33)
• A reference to the Shepherd. God will become the shepherd of his people. (Ez 34) (vs 27b)
• God disciplines those he loves and destroys their enemies. Here because of Edom's intense hatred of the Israelites - God destroys them - they ceased to be. (Ez 35)
• God takes care of his children and remembers his covenants! Israel would be restored because of God's faithfulness. (Ez 36) (vs. 26)
• "Them bones, them bones, them dry bones!" - can you see this vision?! Can you imagine the sight? God can restore us, even more! God will also reunite Israel. They will not longer be divided. (Ez 37)
• Foreshadowing - the Bible is full of it. Events that take place in scripture are a foreshadowing of things to come. (Ez 38)
• The plans of men will not come to success. god brings about all things. We may think we are in control but he alone is sovereign and one day the whole world will realize that. (Ez 39)
• One last vision for Ezekiel - A man appears with a linen cord & measuring rod. The measurements for the Millennial temple. This temple has not been built yet. So very specific, just like the instructions for the tabernacle and Solomon's temple.

Page 2 of notes complete! Tomorrow or Monday I will finish my notes and oh what exciting things are to be!

Ezekiel Revisited.....

Many of you know that I studied the book of Ezekiel awhile back. I have been wanting to summarize my study over a few days on my blog, that it may spur a few of you on to study God's word. I began my study on November 3, 2008.

What I learned (I didn't start writing my summary chapter by chapter, but later thought it best to help you see where my thoughts came from):

• God's Majesty - His throne is like Sapphire; brilliant like a rainbow.
• When He calls us he expects obedience.
• He knows what he is calling us to and the outcome - he just wants our obedience (2:7)
• "Do not be Afraid"
• Sometimes God calls us to really hard things
• Devour God's word - it is as sweet as honey (3:3) & Psalms
• God doesn't mind our arguing and protesting - he knows even before we speak (4:14 & 15)
• God punishes rebellion because he is jealous for His name.
• God is patient and slow to anger, but his anger must be appeased. He cannot allow sin to continue unabated.
• He is constantly reminding his people of who He is.
• God's presence cannot be present if sin and rebellion continue - he will removed himself.
• Be sure it is God who is speaking to me.
• Every word I hear from someone who says "God told me" - shift through God's word
• I need to be careful that when I say something is of God that it truly is - I do not want to be a false prophet.
• God is eternally patient with his creation, BUT there will be judgement we can count on that.
• Even though we break covenant after covenant - God has kept and will keep every one.
• My sin is my sin. I cannot blame anyone else.
• If we harbor rebellion, God will not hear us. (Ez. 20)
• God is Sovereign - even over those who do not acknowledge Him.
• God desires that all know him - he says throughout this book "then they will know that I am the Lord." The whole earth (people) think they are in control but , "they will know". (Ez. 25)
• God even uses the ungodly for his purposes, example Nebuchadnezzar. (Ez 26)
• Oh how the mighty fall - Tyre a picture of the United States? (Ez 27)
• God remembers his covenants and takes care of his Children. "Then they will know". (Ez 28)
• God makes men rise and fall, their error is thinking they did it.

Page one of notes done. I have 3 more pages front and back! I would love to see if you see the same things in these passages. Go get a shovel and start digging!!!!