Lessons from Ezekiel Chapters 6 and 7

Help Save the People

Read Ezekiel chapters six and seven.

BASIC INFORMATION

• Ezekiel was a member of a priestly family that was attached to the Jerusalem temple
• He was one of the exiles taken to Babylon along with King Jehoiachin in 597 BC
• He was called as a prophet in the fifth year of exile and he prophesied for over twenty years.
• The first six years of prophecy was that of doom.
• Jerusalem was invaded by Babylon three times.  Once during Daniel's life, the second time here, and a third time later when Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BC
• Ezekiel warned the Israelite exiles that Jerusalem was doomed and to rid themselves of any false hopes of it being spared or for a miraculous turn of events leading to their return home.

CHAPTER SIX

Verses 1-7

Set your face toward the mountains of Israel.  This prophecy would be direct to Israel, where they had also erected idols to pagan Canaanite gods.

God would destroy all of the places of idol worship in addition to laying the dead bodies of those who worshiped those idol gods.

Lessons

It is interesting that God announces His attentions.  This is consistent throughout the Bible and especially pertaining to judgment.  I would think that would be reasonable so that those being judged would know why they are experiencing God's wrath, which hopefully would lead to repentance.

We also see that God attacks the very objects of sin, namely the idols.  We see here how serious being faithful to God really is.  God is truly a jealous God (See Exodus 20:5, 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:9).

It is important to realize that the sins of the Israelite people led up to the wrath of God.

Verses 9-10

There would be a remnant of the Israelites that would eventually know God and return to him.  They would know that it was He who caused the calamity and that God truly is a jealous God.

Lessons

The wrath of God on His people is not annihilation of those people.  The purpose of the wrath therefore, seems to be cleansing of the sin from among the people.  The sin had gotten to a place of action so to speak.

Verse 11

"Alas" is another way of saying Aha! Or Ah!  (See 21:5, 25:3)

Some believe that God was mocking them as a jealous neighbor would mock his neighbor during a calamity.  Others hold that God was expressing his pleasure in destroying the objects of idol worship.  It is again important to note that God does not tolerate faithlessness.

Verses 13-14

The people (remnant of Israel) would know that The Lord God is indeed the Lord when they see the destruction of the idols and the idol worshippers.

Points To Consider

• God does not tolerate unfaithfulness indefinitely
• God will warn you of his impending wrath and give you the opportunity to repent
• God will inform you of his impending wrath and teach you to repent and turn to him
• It is important that we remain loyal to God
• We can see the need for Christ when we consider the totality of our sins and the consequences of such if we do not turn to Christ and accept him as Lord as well as savior of our lives.
• Consider the plight of those who die for their sins and have to spend eternity in "hell."

CHAPTER SEVEN

Verses 1-4

God would repay the Israelites for their sins, which ultimately is turning away from God as Lord (See verse 4).  There would be no pity extended to them.  Actually, the mercy has run out for them and the next thing to correct the situation is judgment.

Lesson

How long will God wait before he judges a nation for its sins?  How far away is the USA from God's judgment for its increasing anti-God activities and lifestyles?  Surely God did not judge the entire Israelite nation for the actions of a few people.  The level of sin and idolatry was national and therefore God dealt with the nation of Israel.

Verses 10-12

The sin has manifested into the punishing rod of judgment.  Therefore, we can see that the judgment imposed on the people was a result of the people.  We cannot blame or accuse God for the calamity on the people.

Verses 18-20

Sackcloth and shaved heads were used as signs of mourning.  In Mesopotamia, shaving off half of the hair was a punishment designed to bring about public humiliation.

Verse 27

1. Sorrow and fear will grip the people from the king down to the common folk.
2. They will be rewarded according to what they have done.  Therefore, their punishment is due to their own sin.
3. They will then know the one true God, the Lord.

APPLICATION

• The events in the subject scripture may be summarized as follows.
• Sin begat total rejection of God and shifted allegiance to false gods
• God gave a time to repent
• The people did not repent, but rather continued in their sinful ways
• Their sins finally culminated in the judgment of God and the destruction of the nation except for a remnant that would survive.
• It appears that the purpose of this judgment was to cleanse the people of their sins.  They did not voluntarily do it so it was forced upon them, so to speak, by God.  The purpose could also be seen as merely the penalty for their sins.
• We see the importance of being aware of God as Lord

The Unsaved

It becomes imperative that we learn to share our faith because those who are unsaved are headed straight for similar doom as the people of Israel.  However, there will be no hope or remnant of people to live on and later acknowledge God as Lord.

Consider the following scripture.

Romans 1:18-23 (NKJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

The unsaved today actually suppress the truth that has been plainly revealed to them by God.  Therefore, it is imperative that we spread the Gospel so that those who would believe would come to Christ and be saved.  Though the attributes of God are seen in His creation, they do not necessarily point a person to Christ.  They would however cause a person to begin to seek the truth, which could lead them to Christ.  This is where we come in, that is those who know the truth and have the Gospel.

Consider the following.

1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Romans 10:140-15 (NKJV) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who ·preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

We are in many ways like the prophets of old.  We preach what thus says the Lord in regards to salvation.  We share the gospel with people in hopes that they would come to the truth.  We make them aware of their impending doom and that they need a savior since they can't save themselves.  We make them aware, the Holy Spirit actually, that they are not OK, but instead are in a grievous situation in regards to eternity.

So it becomes even more important for us, those who are saved (Christians), to preach the word to those who are not saved.  I also personally believe that we should preach the word of God to those who are saved in regards to their edification and to help protect them from the plethora of false doctrines that exist today.

The Philosophy of evangelism

Evangelism is the ministry of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost.  An evangelist in the early Christian church traveled long distances and preached the gospel to the lost.  They were also not associated with a particular local church.  The Disciples of Jesus Christ were also called evangelists (Acts 8:4).

It is important to realize that evangelism is not magic even though the Holy Spirit is involved.  I personally have never agreed with the philosophy of many churches where people go out door to door and ask people about salvation.  A common line is, "If you were to die today do you know whether you would go to heaven or hell?"  I have never subscribed to such tactics because I felt they were too impersonal, legalistic, and ineffective.  Why would anyone who does not believe in Jesus Christ be concerned with heaven or hell or even salvation for that matter?  Sure there are seekers out there and would be seekers, but I think that there is a much more effective way to evangelize then the legalistic formats of many churches.

Relationships

Why would you care what a stranger has to say?  Why would you believe a total stranger?  The fact is that most of us would be skeptical of what a stranger tells us.  After all, why should he or she care about what happens to me and subsequently offer me "good" advice?  I believe that the key to effective evangelism is relationships.  We are more likely to listen and take serious the person that we are familiar with and have come to trust at some level.  I am more likely to listen and give credence to the words of someone that talks with me on my job about religious matters or life then I am of a stranger who walks up to me and asks me about heaven or hell.  Imagine how you might feel when a Jehovah's Witness comes to your door.  They are strangers so why should you listen to them?  Do you see what I mean?

Therefore, the key to sharing the gospel with others is not in being a finely tuned minister or an educated seminary graduate in apologetics or the like.  The key is relationships.  Consider that salvation is about relationships.  It is about our relationship to God.  We are to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Too many Christians go out among the unsaved and beat them over the head with religion.  At least that is the way the people are likely to perceive their actions.  They ram them with their final destination not knowing what problems or issues are in that person's life right now.  Notice in Jesus' ministry how he ate and sat with the "sinners."  Of course he was ridiculed about it by the religious leaders, but the fact of the matter is that Jesus went to great lengths to meet the people where they were and to develop a relationship.  That is how he received many of his disciples (except for the original twelve who were specifically called by Jesus).

We should take Jesus' example seriously and instead of hitting people upside the head with the Bible and our religion or denominationalism, we should just build relationships with people and naturally share your faith.  It is not our job to save people.  Jesus never told us to go out and get so many salvations and yet so many ministers make it a requirement to have so many salvations in a week or month or the like.  Our job is to make disciples of all nations and the way we do that, in taking example from the Bible's record, is to build relationships with people.

Now of course there are going to be certain events that are strictly evangelical in nature.  That is, there might be a street preacher that preaches the gospel on the corner.  That is different and that is also an effective way to evangelize in that people would hear the gospel.  It is effective depending on how it is done.  If the minister is perceived as a fanatic or "crazed preacher" then people are not likely to take him seriously.  I believe that the best way to reach people is to build relationships with people.

I recall that when I was in Amway that they taught the exact same thing.  We couldn't just walk up to someone and ask them if he or she wanted a way to make some extra money.  You would be sure to be blown off with such an approach.  I would blow you off thinking that it was a scam at the very least.  However, we were taught to get to know the person and build a relationship and not be perceived as a stranger.  We were told to remember such things as their name, wife's name, children's names and other personal information provided.  Those made things seem personal.  Then we would spring Amway on him or her later as a natural progression or segue into the business.  The same applies to sharing our faith.

Do you believe that you have a good thing in Christ?  Do you believe that you have good news to share with others?  Then begin to share your faith naturally.  Build relationships with people and just take advantage of the opportunities that arise to share your faith.  You know the doom and destruction that they are headed for just as we read in Ezekiel 7 & 8.  You know how they can avoid total damnation for all eternity.  You know Christ so freely you have received, and then freely give.  Share your faith and possibly help someone escape hell.

Also, don't look to get people saved on the spot.  Just share your faith in a non intrusive and not threatening manner.  Any more than that would cause the person to back off and render any more effort on your part useless.  Learn when to back off if you feel that the person is getting nervous or threatened.  In all cases, just be natural.  Just share the good news of the gospel as you would share the good news of a sale you discovered at your favorite store and do your part to help save the lost.