Lesson Scripture: Ezekiel 11:14-21

Bible Truth: A hard heart or a soft heart is your choice.

Timeline: Ezekiel was a priest and prophet during the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon, he ministered between 592 BC and the 27th year of the exile (around 570 BC).  You can find visual representation of where this period falls in the timeline below under the “Divided Kingdom”.

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Need to know notes: We will be in the book of Ezekiel for the next four weeks. It will be important to know as much as possible about this prophet and Isreal in that time to better understand our lessons.

Isreal leading up to Ezekiel
In reading the Old Testament we see that much of it is about  the relationship between God and Isreal. God rescues Israel from Egyptian slavery and eventually brings them to the land that we now know as Israel. They were supposed to come in, clear the land of the wicked people that lived there, and serve God in the promised land. The problem?  They did not fully obey God.  Some of the people and many of the Idols were left in the land. Thus the on again -  off again relationship with God and the struggle with worshipping only Him or idol gods.

The people beg God to give them a king, He finally gives them Saul who starts out well but ends poorly. The monarchy peaks under King David and King Solomon’s rule. King Solomon’s son Rehoboam’s poor leadership splits the country between Judah in the South ruled by descendants of David, and Israel in the north ruled by Jeroboam and his descendants.

There is a long list of kings that do not serve God and a few who do. Israel, under Jeroboam, worships the idol gods of the land from day one, and they commit all sorts of atrocities. They set up places of Worship for Ashera, and Ba’al, institute temple prostitution, have fertility orgies under oak trees, sacrifice their first born, and reject God’s moral and economic laws. In Deuteronomy 28-29 God tells the people of the amazing blessings they will receive if they stay close to him, worship him only and follow his law, He also lays out the curses that they will receive if they reject him and his ways. By Ezekiel’s time the northern kingdom, Israel, has already reaped the curses for their deep sin and disobedience. The Assyrians came in 722 BC and carried the nation off in captivity.

Judah was spared because of the influence of righteous men like Isaiah. King Hezekiah brought spiritual renewal to Judah, but his son Manasseh and grandson Amon were such wicked kings that it took only two generations for the Jewish people to forget that God had even given them the law. When Josiah, the son of Amon becomes king, he rebuilds Gods temple and they discover the books of the law that has been buried for two generations. He weeps and repents over what he reads and how different it is from the way Judah has been living. Josiah tries to lead the people back to God, but they refuse. He sent a delegation to Huldah the prophetess to find out what judgments awaited the land. The prophetess replied that the condemnation of God would indeed fall on Judah for its sin, but she sent word to Josiah that because his heart was right toward God, the punishment would not come during his lifetime.

Although it was the Assyrians that destroyed Israel, it is the Babylonians that invade Judah. In fact three times. In the wars between Babylon, Assyria, and Egypt, Judah kept picking the wrong side. The first time Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon took a group of young nobles back to Babylon with him. This group included Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When Israel rebelled again Babylon they took a larger group into exile, this group included Ezekiel (which is where we are in our lesson). Finally, in 588 BC, God has had enough of Judah’s rebellion, and so has Babylon, and they invade, destroy all the outposts, lay siege to Jerusalem and finally destroy it, killing many inhabitants and sending most of the rest into exile. It is out of this destruction and exile that the Jewish people finally turn their hearts to God and learn to serve him and him alone.

Ezekiels Vision

Chapter 8

The lesson text starts in Chapter 11 but we find ourselves in the midst of a vision that starts out in Chapter 8.  Let’s start there. A year and two months had now passed since God called Ezekiel to be a prophet. By this time the people recognized him as a prophet, and leaders among the exiles came to discuss their affairs with him (Ezek 8:1; cf. 1:1–2). While the leaders were sitting talking with him, Ezekiel was suddenly caught up by the Spirit of God and taken, as it were, to Jerusalem (Ezek 8:2–3).

In this vision Ezekiel was taken to the temple where, as he was about to enter the inner court, he saw an idol that stirred God to jealousy

From there Ezekiel went by a secret door into a hidden room (Ezek 8:7–9). There he saw a gathering of Jerusalem’s leaders, who were secretly worshipping pictures of animals painted on the walls. Foolishly, they thought God could not see them (Ezek 8:10–13). In another part of the temple Ezekiel saw women carrying out ritual mourning as part of their worship of the foreign god, Tammuz (Ezek 8:14–15). Finally, Ezekiel came into the inner court of the temple, where he saw a group of priests who had turned their backs on the temple and were worshipping the sun. ‘Putting the branch to the nose’ was part of the ritual and a particularly offensive insult to God (Ezek 8:16–18).

 Chapter 9

God’s punishment of Jerusalem was illustrated by a vision in which God sent his executioners to carry out his work of judgment on the sinful people. First, however, he sent a special servant to put a mark on those who opposed the city’s wickedness, so that they might be preserved through the coming bloodshed (Ezek 9:1–4).

The northern kingdom had been destroyed long ago, and now many from the southern kingdom were killed or taken captive. Ezekiel feared that with the slaughter in Jerusalem the last remains of the ancient nation would be wiped out (Ezek 9:8). God assured the prophet that his judgment was just. The people acted as if God did not matter; now they were to suffer the consequences. But safety was guaranteed for those believers who stood firm for God amid the nationwide ungodliness (Ezek 9:9–11).

 The glory of God had risen from the throne and come to rest on the threshold of the temple. From there God had directed his agents in the execution of the citizens of Jerusalem (see Ezek 9:3). 

Chapter 10

From this same position on the temple threshold, God now gave further commands to the man who had previously sealed the faithful for preservation. God told him to go and take some coals from the vacant chariot-throne and scatter them over the city of Jerusalem, to symbolize the coming fiery destruction of Jerusalem. He then saw God return to his chariot-throne and begin to leave the temple. He moved only as far as the temple gate, then stopped (Ezek 10:18–19). At the east gate of the temple, where God’s chariot-throne had temporarily stopped (see 10:19) 

Chapter 11

Ezekiel saw in vision a group of twenty-five of the city’s political leaders. The wrong advice of these men was one reason why Jerusalem was heading for certain ruin (11:1–2). Jeremiah had been telling the people that to fight against Babylon was fatal, for God had sent the Babylonians to punish Jerusalem. The city should therefore surrender (Jer 21:8–10). These leaders, on the other hand, were stirring up the people to resist Babylon. They recommended that building programs in the city be stopped so that more men would be available to fight. They were confident that they were safe in Jerusalem. The city walls would protect the inhabitants from the Babylonians, just as a cooking pot protects the flesh inside it from the fire (Ezek 11:3–4).

God’s word to Jerusalem’s leaders is that he knows what they are thinking, but the city will fall in spite of their confidence (Ezek 11:5–6). The innocent people, whom these corrupt leaders have killed, are now the fortunate ones, for they will be spared the bloodshed that is to come upon Jerusalem. They are the only pieces of flesh to be safe from the fire. As for the leaders, they will be taken out of the cooking pot, dragged out of their imagined security in Jerusalem, and executed at the border of Israel as the victorious Babylonian armies return home (Ezek 11:7–12). (For the fulfilment of this prophecy see 2 Kings 25:18–21.) Ezekiel saw one of Jerusalem’s leaders drop dead as he was speaking. The prophet was again filled with fear as he saw the determination of God to punish his rebellious people (13)

Ezekiel 11:14-21 (Our lesson starts here)

(vs 13) Ezekiel, at the command of the Lord, prophesied against those elders and the city, Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, dropped dead as he prophesied. Ezekiel, understanding the significance of that event, responded by pleading to God for mercy (Ah, Sovereign Lord! Will You completely destroy the remnant of Israel?

(vs 14-15) (Note: Ezekiel, like the ones left in Jeruselem, thought the remnant were those left in Jeruselem, since they were still in the city where the temple was.) God’s response to Ezekiel was, your own countrymen and blood relatives have said that the exiles have been punished by being sent far from the Lord (far from temple where God abides) so their land is now our land.  

(vs 16) Tell the exiles, that even though I have scattered you into the heathen nations, I will be a sanctuary (temple) to you in whatever country you go.

(vs 17) Then tell them that I have a plan to gather you again back from where you have been exiled and I will give you (the exiles) the land of Isreal.

(vs 18) When the exiles returned to their land, they would be cured of idolatry and would remove all the pagan worship.

(vs 19-20) Jeremiah 31:33 says ”This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. ”I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. A covenant not written on stones but engraved on the human mind and heart; and Christian believers today share in that covenant (2 Corinthians 3; Hebrews 9:1-10:39).  And they will be careful to keep my laws.  

Summery

God had given Israel the land, but He had also threatened to remove them from it for disobedience (cf. Deut. 28:36, 64-68). God would spare a remnant (Ezek. 6:8; 12:16), as Ezekiel asked, but it would not include the smug, self-righteous leaders of Jerusalem God had emphasized the coming judgment of the people who remained in Jerusalem (Though God had sent His people far away among the nations, He had not abandoned them. They had lost access to the ”sanctuary,“ the temple in Jerusalem; but God Himself would be a sanctuary for them in those foreign countries. God was accessible to faithful Jews wherever they were. Israel’s physical return will be accompanied by a spiritual renewal. When they come back to the land, they will . . . remove all . . . vile images and detestable idols. The land will be purged of idolatry, and the people will be purged too. For God said, I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them. Ezekiel learned that the presence of Yahweh makes the building a “sanctuary,” but the “sanctuary,” or building, does not insure His presence

Research and commentary by Trustee Richard Barnes

ref. Illumina Bible, Bible Knowledge Commentary. Reading Ezekiel – Dr. John Dobbs

Lesson Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Bible Truth: We must have a commitment to serve God.

Timeline: Isaiah’s public ministry occurred primarily from 740–700 BC during which time the Northern Kingdom (Israel) falls to Assyria, representation of his period can be found in the “Divided Kingdom” section of our Timeline.

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Prelude

Isaiah lived in the eighth century BC during the reigns of the Judean kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He was also the author of the Bible book of Isaiah. Isaiah was the son of Amoz (Isaiah 1:1). Growing up in Jerusalem, Isaiah received the best education the capital of Judah could supply. He was deeply knowledgeable about people, and he became the political and religious conscience of the nation. He was married, and had children. Isaiah’s wife is referred to as a prophetess (Isaiah 8:3) and they had at least two sons, Shear-jashub (Isaiah 7:3) and Maher-shalal-hash-baz (Isaiah 8:3). Isaiah wore a prophet’s clothing: sandals and a garment of goat’s hair or sackcloth. At one point during his ministry, the Lord commanded Isaiah to go naked and bare-foot for a period of three years (wearing only a loincloth, Isaiah 20:2-6). Isaiah worked to reform social and political evils. He berated soothsayers (fortune-tellers) and denounced wealthy, influential people who ignored the responsibilities that come with wealth. He exhorted the common people to obedience, and rebuked kings for their sin.  Isaiah also foretold the coming of the Messiah, the “peaceful prince,” and the ruler of God’s kingdom-Jesus Christ (Isaiah 11:1-11; see also Isaiah 9:6-7). He depicted this Messiah as a suffering, obedient servant (Isaiah 53:3-12).  Hebrew prophecy reached its peak with Isaiah, who was greatly respected in both Old Testament and New Testament times. According to Rabbinical literature, Isaiah was executed by the wicked king Manasseh (who succeeded Hezekiah) by sawing him in half in the trunk of a carob tree.

Researched by Trustee Richard Barnes, source Ilumina Bible and Encyclopedia – Tyndale House Publishing, Jewish Encylopedia – jewishencyclopedia.com

Commentation by Trustee Richard Barnes__________________________

Here am I, send me.  Isaiah’s answer, in the classic words of Charles Harrison Mason, “Yes Lord”

Commentator Trustee Richard Barnes Jr.

Lesson Scripture: Esther 4:1-3, 9-17 

Bible Truth: Esther displays courage.

Timeline: Events in this book are set in the era of the Persian Empire, sometime between  483 and 471 B.C. Chronologically Esther comes between the return of a first group of Jews to Judah from Babylon (538 B.C.) and the return of a second group led back by Ezra (458 B.C.).  In our timeline belowe we will find Esther in the Exile, Return and Independence era.

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Today’s lesson focuses on having the courage to do what is right.  As Christian people it is imperative that we draw on the power of faith and not fear to perform the duties of righteousness, justice and love ( for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power… 2 Timothy 1:7.).  I was a young boy when I joined this grand ole Church of God in Christ. Coming from a strict Baptist church, it was almost a sin to walk during the service especially while the preacher was preaching.  I remember that my mother and I were in the vestibule which is in the rear of the church (closed off from the sanctuary).  My mother asked me to give a message to one of the church mothers who sat in the first two rows in front of the church.  Remember we had come from a strict Baptist church were walking is harshly tolerated.  I looked at my mother in shock and shook my head no.  She looked back at me, and I knew I had to do it.  I was terrified, but I mustered my strength and walked down the side isle (past what seemed like a hundred pews) to give a message the church mother.  It seemed like everyone was looking at me and my new pastor (Elder Abraham Swanson) was known for calling people out for talking, sleeping, or walking during his sermon.  He must have waved his golden scepter to me, granting his pardon because he chose not to embarrass me.  My heart pounding and my face sweating, I finally reached the mother of the church and gave her the message in her hand.  I don’t know what was in the message but it was important enough that my mother would send her son to do a task that we were taught is a no-no.  My story pales in comparison to Esther but share the same point.  I learned in Sunday School that God requires children to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3), and I learned from my mother obedience is better than a whippin (Proverbs 13:24, 19:8, 22:15, 23:13, 29:15,17).  My mother was a God fearing woman and she loved her children, she would never have us to do anything out of the ordinary unless it was of great importance.  I could have have protested my mother and reminded her of what we were taught and received a whippin, but I instead chose to obey her and deliver the important message.  Can you recall defying all that was within you to do what was right?  Read the entire book of Esther it will be a blessing to your life.  

prelude by Trustee Richard Barnes

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Esther was a very courageous young lady but she didn’t start out that way.  She was an orphan who was reared by her much older cousin, Mordecai.  Mordecai loved her as if she was his own daughter.  God allowed Mordecai to be at gate of the palace thereby getting all the inside scoop on what was going on.  He knew that King Ahasuerus was in search of a Queen after his former wife, Vashti, had openly defied him.  But God knew that his people would soon need a deliverer after the Kings advisor, Haman, tricked him into signing a law to kill the Jews, and he was grooming Esther for the task.  Ahasuerus appointed his chamberlain, Hegai, to gather young ladies and to select the next Queen.  God allowed Hegai to have favor on Esther which eventually led up to her being chosen as Queen.  When the time was right, she was able to save her people.  Just like Esther, God gives us favor with man.  We are placed in positions to be of help to our church and our community.  It’s to edify God’s kingdom and to ultimately point others to Christ.  Romans 8:28 says that “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”  We must remember that we are called for the purpose of God.  Like Esther, we must take a stand and know that God will not let us down.  Sometimes things may not look like they’re going right, but remember that God is not only IN control but has everything UNDER control and he’s working it out for our good.

Evangelist Annetta Barnes

Commentators for this lesson: Trustee Richard Barnes, Missionary Annetta Barnes, Missionary Venita Turner and Missionary LaTascha Hankerson.

BIBLE BASIS: Lesson Scripture: II Samuel 11:26, 27; 12:1-7a, 13-15

MEMORY VERSES: The thing that David had done displeased the LORD. And the LORD sent Nathan unto David.

LESSON AIM: That you will recognize that God is aware of all sin and will uncover it.

Timeline. Are lesson takes place in the Judges and Kings Period, around 1000 B.C.

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Lust of the eye – Trustee R Barnes 

With every lesson we study in Sunday School, there is an important message we must learn and apply to our daily lives.  Sometimes (not often), I struggle to relate the lesson to my personal life, that is not the case with this lesson.  If you havn’t already, read chapters 11 – 12 to get the full impact of this lesson.  A comedian by the name of Chris Rock performed a stand up show and coined the phrase “I’m not saying what he did was right, but I understand”.  Being that I am a man,  I understand how David’s eyes may have briefly fastened  to the sight of a beautiful woman in the buff.  It’s when he purposely fixates on her to fulfill the lust of his flesh that it becomes trouble Matt. 5:27-28.  One problem with fantasizing is not knowing when to quit. The greater the fantasy, the greater the desire to make it a reallity and David was determined to make his fantasy come true.  David sends messengers to inquirer about Bathsheba.  (I wonder what he thought when he found out she was married. Obviously nothing because he sent for her anyway) .  David sent for her, she came, and they slept together.  (Why did Bathseba meet with the king in the first place? Was she aware of his intentions?  Certainly at some point she must have realized this was not a call to service, but a booty call).  We must be carefull when entertaining even the very thought of sin, for the soul that sinneth, surely shall die Ezekiel 8:20.  We must hate sin regardless of its pleasurable effects to the flesh.

  (James 1:14-15,  Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. NIV)

Trustee Richard Barnes

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Missionary Annetta Barnes

Funny how history repeats itself.  In Gen 2:16b-17, God told Adam that he could freely eat of any tree in the garden EXCEPT of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or he would die.  David had several wives that he could have but the one wife (Uriah’s wife) that was forbidden to him, he went after.   First David lusted after something that he already had.  Had he not lusted, we may not even be studying this lesson.  Lust in itself is a sin.  But lust led to adultery and adultery led to murder.  It wasn’t that David didn’t know that committing adultery was wrong, otherwise he wouldn’t have tried to cover it up, but he still needed to be confronted.  After all, he may have continued an “I-got-away-with-it” mentality.  Although leaders aren’t exempted from yielding to temptation, we should not practice trying to cover up one sin with another because God is omnippresent, he sees all, even if no one else does.  As I was studied this lesson I couldn’t help but notice the wisdom of Nathan.  He not only obeyed God in confronting David, but he exemplified godly character in doing so in the spirit of Love.  If we are given the task to confront one in a leadership position, we are to remember the spirit in which we do it in.  Nathan’s confrontation led to David’s repentance.  “If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (I John 1:9).  We should not willfully practice sin but if we do find ourselves in a “fallen” position then we have an advocate with the father.  (I John 2:1) 

Evang. Annetta Barnes

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Wow!  This is a great lesson and goes right along with the OT Survey lessons on Leadership.  At this time David was king over Judah and Israel. During the beginning of his reign he walked up right before the Lord inquiring of him in every aspect of his life.  But doesn’t that sound like us when we first became christians saved from our sins?  We were on fire for the Lord and stayed in his presence, but when we became complacent is when sin creeped in.  I believed that’s what happened with David.  He had everything at his disposal and lacked nothing yet he wanted Bath-sheba another man’s wife.  God had revealed to Nathan what David had done.  David knew the laws of God but still committed three of the Ten Commandments: Thou shall not kill, Thou shall not commit adultery & Thou shall not cover thy neighbor’s house..(Exodus 20:13,14 & 17).  Nathan used wisdom in confronting David by using the parable.  He knew David’s character that he didn’t play when it came to unjustly treatment.  David was a fair man, but if you crossed him it was nothing for him to have you killed.  After Nathan explained the parable David became enraged and wanted to seek justice for the poor man and have the rich man killed.  Then Nathan said “David thou art the man”.  I can imagine David’s heart dropped to know his sin had been unveiled.  But at that moment David sincerely and whole heartly repented and turned his heart back to God.  Psalms 51 tells it all.  Due to the close relationship David had with Saul he knew that God could take his spirit away from him.  I like David’s cry unto the Lord Psalms 51:11&12(Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me; Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit).  Even though David repented of his sin he and his family had to face the consequences of David’s actions.  When we sin we not only hurt ourselves, but the ones we love.  God promised David he would not die at that time, but his family would reap the consequences of his actions.  That’s a generational curse.  I’m quite sure some of us know a little something about that.  Leaders lets learn from David’s mistakes, but most importantly when faced with sin/temptation don’t yield.  Hold yourself to a higher standard.  Remeber God is watching, listening and is right there with you. 

Evang. Venita Turner