The Punishment of Jerusalem—Ezekiel (III)

“The Punishment of Jerusalem—Ezekiel (III)”
Ezekiel 8-11

I. The Idolatries Being Practiced in the Temple (8:1-18)
The image of jealousy (vv. 5-6)
Animal worship (vv. 7-13)
Nature worship (vv. 14-15)
Sun worship (vv. 16-18)

II. The Seven Executioners: Punishment by Slaughter (9:1-11)
The execution of the city (vv. 1-2)
The remnant (vv. 3-4)
Punish without mercy (vv. 5-11)

III. The Chariot-Throne: Punishment by Fire (10:1-22)

IV. The Death of Pelatiah (11:1-13)

V. A New Heart for God’s People in Exile (11:14-25)
I will bring them back
They will remove all the vile images
I will remove their heart of stone
I will give them a new heart and put a new spirit in them

VI. God’s promise
I will be their God and they will be my people

VII. Application
There was idol worship going on, even in the temple of Jerusalem. How appalling would that have been? Can you imagine how angry God must have been? Share how this could have happened to God’s people.
The only way to bring restoration to the spiritual lives of the Israelites was for God to give them new hearts and put new spirits in them. I believe the same thing is required for us too. Share how this can take place in our own personal lives.
When God withdraws His mercy, the punishment can be severe. What can we learn from this?