The Master's Touch small group Bible studies
Turning the Tables, Ezekiel 35-36
Recommended Procedure. Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading
Idea for the Bible teacher or discussion leader: Before you begin the Bible study, set it up so that the tables are upturned and the room is a mess.
Discussion: Describe a time when God turned the tables in your life, not for bad but for good. Was it when a bully beat you up as a child but you were able to see revenge? Perhaps you had another kind of bad experience (like being fired or losing your house) where something very bad turned out good, and those who scorned you then were silenced or you were avenged. In today's lesson Israel is avenged when the tables are turned on their enemies.
Review.
The prophecies of Ezekiel 33-48 provide hope for Israel. The year was 585 B.C.. Months after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., the exiles received word that their beloved city had fallen to the Babylonians. This was the lowest point in Jewish history so they needed hope. In our last chapter God provided hope for the nation of Israel by saying he was replacing the bad shepherds of Israel, meaning the leaders or kings, and accepting the responsibility himself. It is he that would be the good shepherd. He would feed the flock, heal the flock and search for the scattered sheep and bring them back to safe pasture (the protected land of Israel). Some of this would come after King Cyrus of Persia ordered a decree allowing Israelites back into their land, but ultimate fulfillment and peace will come just before the millennial reign of Christ at his return to the land.
In this chapter God continues to provide hope for Israel. What hope does he give her? Read Ezekiel 35.
Who or where is Mount Seir? We can get a clue from verse 15, but for background to this chapter it is good to consult these verses, Genesis 32:3; 36:9; Deuteronomy 2:1-8
What is the ancient hostility mentioned in verse 5? See 2Chronicles 20:1-29
Because of the ancient hostility what did they do? Ezekiel 25:8-14; Psalm 137:7; Obadiah 1:10-18
Take a quick look back through chapter 35. What would happen to the people of Mount Seir and why? (Also see Jeremiah 49:7-22). How might this apply to us?
Read Ezekiel 36:1-7 What did the mountainous nation of Israel suffer from the enemy nations around her? How would they suffer?
Though the land of Israel was destroyed, what hope does God give to Israel in Ezekiel 36:8-15?
Why did God take Israel out of the land and scatter her to the nations? What happened when Israel was dispersed into different countries - did her behavior improve? Ezekiel 36:16-21
What was God going to do since scattering the Israelites did not stop them from profaning his name? Ezekiel 36:22-32
What would be the new testimony given about God after he restores Israel to her land? Ezekiel 36:33-38
Lessons to Live by: (ask for members' input first)
Today's Bible memory verse: Proverbs 3:34 "He [God] mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble." (NIV)
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A1: Her enemies will not remain to pillage the land of Israel, which was left desolate after Babylon destroyed her.
A2: Mount Seir is in Edom, where Esau and his descendants lived (see map). It was given to them of the LORD as he gave the land of Canaan to the Israelites as a possession.
A3: The Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites gathered together in Edom and came to make war on Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. However, God defended her and her enemies destroyed themselves.
A4: In 588 B.C. when King Zedekiah of Judah revolted against Babylon, in revenge Edom sided with Babylon and aided Babylon in her assaults on Judah. On the day of Israel's calamity in 586 B.C., Edom and other nations stood aloof, rejoiced and sought to profit from her calamity.
A5: God would destroy Edom so that her land and people would become desolate because she rejoiced and sought to profit at Jerusalem's fall and desolation. This destruction would come by Babylon, the very nation Edom allied herself with to help destroy Judah.
How do we act when our enemies fall? Do we rejoice and seek to profit from them? God is angry with that.
A6: Israel suffered the ridicule and scorn of her enemies on the day of her calamity (the conquering of Babylon), and they sought to possess her land and pilage what remained.
A7: God was concerned for them and would soon show them favor once more. They will return to the land, and it will once again be fruitful and inhabited by her people. Their children will be safe, and they will no longer be ridiculed or scorned by other nations.
A8: Israel was taken out of the land and scattered amongst the nations because she profaned God's holy name by her wickedness and idolatry. Unfortunately, her behavior did not change; she learned nothing for she profaned God's name in the countries where her people were dispersed.
A9: God will bring the people back into their land and change their stubborn hard hearts so that they will be receptive and cleansed from their sins. He will even put his Spirit within them so that they can keep his laws and decrees, and God's holy name will once again be revered. The land will once again be fruitful and they would no longer be scorned. It will not be for their sake, however, that he would do this, but for his own name. God wants Israel to see their current behavior and loathe themselves for it. This was partially fulfilled when Israel returned to her land during the reign of Persian King Cyrus. It will ultimately be fulfilled during the millennium when all chosen Israelites from the Tribulation will be saved, i.e., spiritually regenerated (Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:25-27; Revelation 14:1-4)
Those who have received God's mercy and grace should also know that it is not because they somehow deserve it that they are saved. God is glorified to take sinful wicked people, and cleanse their souls for his own name's sake. Proverbs 3:34 "He [God] mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble." (NIV)
A10: The land that was so desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the cities which had lain in ruins are rebuilt. Then the nations will know that it is only the LORD who can replant his people in his land, rebuild what was destroyed, and greatly multiply his people.
Is your life like the desolate Israel because of your sins? God can cleanse you from your sins, forgive you, give you spiritual life and peace. Repent and pray to him. He will listen. You can experience his love and favor (more...)
- God is able to turn the tables on those who scorn us or try to take advantage of our misfortunes.
- How do we act when our enemies fall? Do we rejoice and seek to profit from them? God is angry with that.
- Those who have received God's mercy and grace should also know that it is not because they somehow deserve it that they are saved. God is glorified to take sinful wicked people, and cleanse their souls for his own name's sake.
- Is your life like the desolate Israel because of your sins? God can cleanse you from your sins, forgive you, give you spiritual life and peace (more...).
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