Explore the Bible Sample Lesson
Ezekiel Lesson #8
Good Questions Have Small Groups Talking
www.joshhunt.com
Ezekiel 43.1 - 12
OPEN
Let’s each share your name and one thing you are
grateful for.
DIG
1.
Context / review. I’d guess there wouldn’t
be one church goer in a hundred who could, off the top of their head, tell
the general context for the book of Ezekiel. I am hoping we are the 1 in
100 by now. Anyone want to take a shot?
One of the saddest moments in Israel’s history
occurred when the ark of the temple was taken into Philistine hands and
Israel was left bereft of God’s help. When Eli heard of the consequent
death of his two sons, he fell backwards and broke his neck. His
daughter-in-law, in the shock of all the events, gave premature birth,
dying in the process. Before she died she gasped out that the child should
be called Ichabod, meaning ‘The glory has departed’ (1 Sam. 4).
Israel’s current condition in exile was a similar
low point. The collapse of Jerusalem and the destruction of Solomon’s
temple underlined the fact that God had departed from his holy city.
Ezekiel had been taken to Jerusalem in a vision in chapter 10 to see God
depart! That was in 592 B.C. Almost twenty years have passed since that
awful day. Nothing could be worse than that. If the new temple in
Ezekiel’s vision is to be of any significance other than for architects,
the essential nature of its glory has to be underlined. This involves the
return of God to dwell in his temple again. This is what these verses now
describe. — Derek Thomas, God Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply Explained, Welwyn Commentary Series
(Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 1993), 275.
2.
Overview. Describe what we see in this
vision.
Ezekiel is brought to the cast gate of the temple
complex (43:1); this gate led directly to the temple area. It was from
this gate that God’s glory had departed in 10:18–19. What we have in
chapter 43 is the reverse of chapter 10: God is going to come back through
the same gate by which he left. What Ezekiel sees, he tells us, is a
reminder of the glory of God that he first encountered in the opening
chapters: a vision of glory in chapter 1 and a vision of God coming to
destroy the city in chapter 9 (43:3). Ezekiel for the third time in this
book has come face to face with the living God. — Derek Thomas,
God Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply
Explained, Welwyn Commentary Series (Darlington, England: Evangelical
Press, 1993), 275.
3.
What do you imagine Ezekiel is feeling in
verse 5?
One of the saddest moments in Israel’s history
occurred when the ark of the temple was taken into Philistine hands and
Israel was left bereft of God’s help. When Eli heard of the consequent
death of his two sons, he fell backwards and broke his neck. His
daughter-in-law, in the shock of all the events, gave premature birth,
dying in the process. Before she died she gasped out that the child should
be called Ichabod, meaning ‘The glory has departed’ (1 Sam. 4).
Israel’s current condition in exile was a similar
low point. The collapse of Jerusalem and the destruction of Solomon’s
temple underlined the fact that God had departed from his holy city.
Ezekiel had been taken to Jerusalem in a vision in chapter 10 to see God
depart! That was in 592 B.C. Almost twenty years have passed since that
awful day. Nothing could be worse than that. If the new temple in
Ezekiel’s vision is to be of any significance other than for architects,
the essential nature of its glory has to be underlined. This involves the
return of God to dwell in his temple again. This is what these verses now
describe.
Ezekiel is brought to the cast gate of the temple
complex (43:1); this gate led directly to the temple area. It was from
this gate that God’s glory had departed in 10:18–19. What we have in
chapter 43 is the reverse of chapter 10: God is going to come back through
the same gate by which he left. What Ezekiel sees, he tells us, is a
reminder of the glory of God that he first encountered in the opening
chapters: a vision of glory in chapter 1 and a vision of God coming to
destroy the city in chapter 9 (43:3). Ezekiel for the third time in this
book has come face to face with the living God. — Derek Thomas,
God Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply
Explained, Welwyn Commentary Series (Darlington, England: Evangelical
Press, 1993), 275.
4.
Verse 3. How did Ezekiel respond to the
vision?
Finally and preeminently, the seeing of God will be
restored to humanity. John writes, “They will see his face” (22:4). Moses
desired to see God’s face, but he was denied (Ex. 33:23). Solomon wondered
if God could really dwell with men (2 Chron. 6:18). Ezekiel and many
others fell facedown when God’s presence approached. And Paul said, “Now
we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to
face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully
known” (1 Cor. 13:12). Here in this passage, the presence of God is
finally, fully, and visibly with men. We have reached the climax of this
book and, indeed, of the whole Bible! “They will see his face.” The
effects of the Fall will be fully reversed. God will complete his merciful
work by bringing the children of Adam back into fellowship with himself.
I don’t know about you, but my favorite thing about
Christianity is not necessarily living by faith: sometimes, I get tired of
believing without seeing; I long to live by sight. And do you know what
you and I are given in this verse? The hope and the promise that one day
we (if we have repented and trusted in Christ) will do just that: we will
see his face. — Mark Dever and John F. MacArthur Jr.,
The Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway, 2005).
5.
Does posture matter in payer?
Tozer’s walk with God was a priority with him and
he allowed nothing to interfere. It was the basis of his attraction to the
Christian mystics. Their absorption in the daily practice of the presence
of God was a stimulus for him and he delighted in their spiritual
fellowship. He could forgive anyone almost anything if he discovered they
had pure intent toward God.
Dr. Tozer’s prayer life was quite remarkable. His
regular habit was to sprawl on his study floor, facedown, and worship God.
Often, according to his own testimony, he would lie in silent, wordless
worship of God, usually oblivious to his surroundings. Such prayer and
worship marked the foundation of his study and preparation for public
ministry.
The desire to worship God and to inspire others to
a deeper awareness of God are clearly evident in The Pursuit of God. For
the person thirsting for the things of God without distracting
embellishments, this book will become a faithful companion. There are some
books that can be enjoyed with one reading, others are enhanced by many
readings. The Pursuit of God is one of the latter. — Rev. James L. Snyder
/ March 1993 A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (Camp Hill, PA: WingSpread,
2006), 1–2.
6.
Why had the glory departed? Why is the
glory coming back?
If sin had driven the Lord from the temple, then it
will be the holiness of his people that will keep him there. It is a word
about holiness that Ezekiel now hears as God speaks to him (43:6–9).
Solomon’s temple had been defiled by ‘their prostitution and the lifeless
idols of their kings at their high places’ (43:7). This seems to be a
reference to the practice of burying kings near the temple—fourteen such
burials are mentioned (cf. 2 Kings 14:20; 21:18, 26; 23:30; 2 Chron.
21:20). Solomon’s temple did not have an outer wall as depicted in
Ezekiel’s temple, and thus did not have an outer courtyard in the strict
sense. Solomon surrounded the temple with many of his own private
buildings, including the palace (1 Kings 7:1–12). The wealthy and powerful
have too often manipulated religion to suit their own ends. That had been
the reason why God had destroyed Solomon’s temple (43:8). Ezekiel’s
listeners, as we noted at the beginning of this chapter, are to examine
the detailed nature of Ezekiel’s temple plans, repent of what they allowed
to happen to Solomon’s temple, and turn to the Lord in repentance and
faith (43:1–12). — Derek Thomas, God
Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply Explained, Welwyn Commentary Series
(Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 1993), 275–276.
7.
Glory is a word we use in church a lot, but
not too much outside of church. What does it mean?
God is invisible, and the Bible says no man has
seen God at any time. The word glory describes God’s invisible attributes
made visible to us. The air is thick with His presence. He is everywhere,
but our eyes can’t see Him. So He must make Himself visible, and that
process is revealed to us as God’s glory. The word glory comes from a root
word meaning “weighty” or “heavy.” When God is called glorious, it’s a
reference to Him being the weightiest, heaviest, deepest being in the
universe.
And God’s glory is intrinsic. Whether you recognize
it or not, He is glorious simply because that’s who He is. There are two
created things that do not recognize God’s glory: Satan and his angels,
and mankind. People tend to believe that life is all about them. But God
tells us that He created us for His glory, not for our own.
Most of us are anthrocentric, or man centered,
rather than theocentric, or God centered. We tend to ask, “What’s in it
for me?” But that’s God’s question, not ours. God’s glory is His own
passion. He is seeking the highest glory for Himself, and rightly so
because He is the greatest in every way.
God’s glory is the chief end of all things.
You will truly have a heart for God when you are
seeking His glory in all that you do and say. How can you seek to glorify
God today? — Tony Evans, A Moment
for Your Soul: Devotions to Lift You Up (Eugene, OR: Harvest House,
2012).
8.
We sometimes speak of giving God glory.
What does it mean to give God glory?
A second aspect to God’s glory is ascribed glory.
That is what the Bible refers to when it speaks of giving God glory. Psalm
29:1–2 says, “Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory
and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the
Lord in the beauty of holiness” (KJV).
Obviously, we cannot give God glory in the sense of
adding to His glory, any more than we can give Him strength. Yet Psalm
29:2 says, “Give unto the Lord glory and strength.” The psalmist is urging
us to recognize God’s glory and acknowledge it.
Although we cannot add to God’s glory, we can
confirm it and praise Him for it, and we can add to the world’s perception
of it. Titus 2:9–10 says,
Urge bondslaves to be subject to their masters in
everything, to be well–pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but
showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God in every
respect. [emphasis added]
Of course, that does not mean that we can adorn
God. But we can adorn the doctrine of God, by enhancing the teaching of
God in the world through godly behavior. A person can live any life he
wants, and it won’t affect God’s nature or alter God’s intrinsic glory.
What it will affect is the testimony about God in the world.
Ascribing glory to God, then, means acknowledging
and magnifying His glory. For example, in Philippians 1:20, Paul wrote
that his desire was that “as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified
in my body.” He did not mean that Christ needed to be improved on. He
meant that men’s view of Christ could be enhanced through him. — John
MacArthur Jr., The Ultimate
Priority: John MacArthur, Jr. on Worship, electronic ed. (Chicago:
Moody Press, 1998), 129.
9.
What are some practical ways we can give
God glory?
There’s something different about Bubba Watson.
And he doesn’t care if you know it.
The winner of the 2012 Masters golf championship
realizes he’s not like most famous athletes.
In fact, he welcomes it.
“People always ask ‘Why is Bubba different?’” said
Watson during a phone interview from Scottsdale, Ariz. “They’re just
trying to figure it out.”
Watson’s identity is not wrapped up in his
freakishly long drives from his lanky 6-foot-3, 180-pound left-handed
swing — he leads the Tour with a 315-yard average.
Rather, take one look at his Twitter profile and
you may figure out what’s different about Watson.
@bubbawatson: Christian. Husband. Daddy. Pro
Golfer.
And pay close attention to the order.
Watson is an outspoken Christian golfer and he uses
his Twitter account — along with his platform as one of the PGA Tour’s
magnetic personalities — to share about his faith in Christ.
“For me, it’s just showing the Light,” the
33-year-old said. “There’s people who want to put down Christians. I try
to tell them Jesus loves you. It’s just a way to be strong in my faith.”
http://billygraham.org/story/bubba-watson-showing-the-light/
10.
Psalm 19.1. How does creation give God
glory?
Creation itself magnifies God. Psalm 19:1 says,
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God.” In other words, God’s glory
is visible at least in part through creation. Romans 1:20 says, “For since
the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and
divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has
been made.” That is exactly what we are to do in ascribing God glory—make
His attributes clearly seen to men. — John MacArthur Jr.,
The Ultimate Priority: John
MacArthur, Jr. on Worship, electronic ed. (Chicago: Moody Press,
1998), 129–130.
11.
Why should we glorify God?
Why should we glorify God? First, because He made
us. Psalm 100 says, “It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” We
tend to forget that, thinking that our accomplishments make us worthy of
praise. But Romans 11:36 says, “For from Him and through Him and to Him
are all things. To Him be the glory forever, Amen.” As Creator, He alone
is worthy to be glorified.
The apostle John describes an incident in heaven
when the twenty–four elders cast their crowns before the throne of God and
said, “Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor
and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they
existed, and were created” (Revelation 4:11). God gave us our being, our
life, and everything that is. How could we give glory to any other, or
take it for ourselves? We are what we are because God made us.
Second, we ought to glorify God because God made
everything to give Him glory. The whole purpose of creation is to glorify
God. Proverbs 16:4 says, “The Lord hath made all things for himself”
(KJV). Everything in creation is designed to radiate His attributes—His
power, His love, His mercy, His wisdom, His grace. That is not egotism on
God’s part. He is worthy of our praise. As God, He has every right to
demand worship and adoration from His creatures.
Inevitably, He will be glorified by everyone.
Ultimately all men give God glory, willingly or unwillingly, in life or in
death. The glory God gets from the righteous is what especially pleases
Him. They give Him glory willingly. In fact, giving Him glory is the
special calling of God’s people. In Isaiah 43:21, God says, “The people
whom I formed for Myself, will declare My praise.” First Peter 2:9 says of
the church, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of
Him who has called you.” — John MacArthur Jr.,
The Ultimate Priority: John
MacArthur, Jr. on Worship, electronic ed. (Chicago: Moody Press,
1998), 130–131.
12.
What bad things happen when we don’t
glorify God—when we take glory for ourselves?
THE SCORE WAS 62–61—OUR FAVOR.
With only seconds to play, we had the ball.
“Slow it down,” yelled the coach from the sideline.
But suddenly, Tom, who had the ball, shot—and
missed.
The opposing team rebounded the ball, quickly moved
it down the court, and scored the winning basket.
We lost.
“Why?” I asked the coach afterward. “Why in the
world did Tom shoot?”
“Oh,” he replied, “the answer is simple. His
girlfriend was in the stands, and he wanted to show off in front of her.
He was trying to be a glory hog.”
But, of course, instead of bringing joy and glory
to himself and his college, he brought sorrow and shame.
In fact, the term show-off implies boasting,
self-glory, pride, or that which is insincere and unworthy. Real glory
implies just the opposite.
Now, if something or someone could be worthily and
sincerely shown or seen without showing off, that would be pure,
unadulterated glory. For that’s what glory is—it is commendation or praise
of someone or something because of seeing the sterling characteristics of
that person or thing. — Charles Caldwell Ryrie,
Transformed by His Glory
(Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1990), 17.
13.
Do unbelievers glorify God?
Unbelieving men may not want to give God glory, but
they will. Pharaoh was determined not to glorify God, but (Exodus 14:17)
God said, “I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his
chariots and his horsemen.” And He was. God’s message to Pharaoh was,
“Indeed, for this cause I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you
My power, and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth” (Exodus
9:16). That is exactly what happened. Although Pharaoh would not glorify
God with his life, God was glorified in his destruction.
That is itself another incentive for giving God
glory. We should want to give Him glory because He judges those who don’t.
According to Romans 1, lost men are condemned because they refuse and
corrupt God’s glory: “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him
not as God … and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image
made like unto corruptible man” (vv. 21–23, KJV). The theme of Romans 1
with regard to God’s dealings with those who refuse His glory is found in
the words God gave them up (see vv. 24, 26, 28). God simply abandoned them
to their depravity. He is glorified and revealed as a holy, righteous God
in judging them. — John MacArthur Jr.,
The Ultimate Priority: John
MacArthur, Jr. on Worship, electronic ed. (Chicago: Moody Press,
1998), 131–132.
14.
John 15.7 – 8. What does this passage teach
us about glorifying God?
OUR LORD SAID: “IF YOU ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS
abide in you, you shall ask what you wish, and it shall be done unto you.
In this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you
prove to be My disciples” (John 15:7–8).
By a fruitful life, the Christian glorifies God.
The Nature of Fruit
What is fruit? Or better phrased, what are fruits
which the believer can produce?
More than once the question has been answered this
way: Fruit is any work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
Now, I think that is a true answer, but it is certainly not very specific
and does not help me to know whether I am being fruitful or not. Actually
the New Testament does give us particulars about fruit.
As we survey the passages which deal with fruit, we
notice that they fall into two general categories: (1) Some passages link
fruit with developing a Christian character. Notice especially Galatians
5:22–23 and 2 Peter 1:5–8. (2) Others concern good works which we do that
produce fruit for God’s glory. Paul prayed, as recorded in Colossians
1:10, that believers might be fruitful in every good work. Other passages
which concern good works we will examine later. — Charles Caldwell Ryrie,
Transformed by His Glory
(Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1990), 107.
15.
How do we bear much fruit and thus glorify
God?
Let us realize that we can only fulfill our calling
to bear much fruit by praying much. In Christ are all the treasures any
person needs; in Him all God’s children are blessed with all spiritual
blessings; He is full of grace and truth. But it needs prayer, much
prayer, strong believing prayer, to bring these blessings down….
Let us claim it as one of the revelations of our
wonderful life in Christ: He tells us that if we ask in His name, in
virtue of our union with Him, whatsoever it be, it will be given to us.
Souls are perishing because there is so little prayer. God’s children are
feeble because there is so little prayer. The faith of this promise would
make us strong to pray; let us not rest till it has entered into our very
heart and drawn us in the power of Christ to continue and labor and strive
in prayer until the blessing comes in power. —ANDREW MURRAY / Thomas
Nelson, A Daybook of Prayer: Meditations, Scriptures and Prayers to Draw
Near to the Heart of God (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2006).
16.
John Piper says we glorify God by enjoying
Him. What do you think he means by that? Do you agree?
You might turn the world on its head by changing
one word in your creed. The old tradition says:
The chief end of man is to glorify
God
and
enjoy Him forever.
And? Like ham and eggs? Sometimes you glorify God
and sometimes you enjoy Him? Sometimes He gets glory, sometimes you get
joy? And is a very ambiguous word! Just how do these two things relate to
each other?
Evidently, the old theologians didn’t think they
were talking about two things. They said “chief end,” not “chief ends.”
Glorifying God and enjoying Him were one end in their minds, not two. How
can that be?
That’s what this book is about.
Not that I care too much about the intention of
seventeenth-century theologians. But I care tremendously about the
intention of God in Scripture. What does God have to say about the chief
end of man? How does God teach us to give Him glory? Does He command us to
enjoy Him? If so, how does this quest for joy in God relate to everything
else? Yes, everything! “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
The overriding concern of this book is that in all
of life God be glorified the way He Himself has appointed. To that end
this book aims to persuade you that
The chief end of man is to glorify
God
by
enjoying Him forever.
John Piper, Desiring God (Sisters, OR: Multnomah
Publishers, 2003), 17–18.
17.
1 Corinthians 10.31. How do we glorify God
in everything?
Whatever? Whatever.
Let your message reflect his glory. “Let your light
shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father
in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV).
Let your salvation reflect God’s glory. “Having
believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of
those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians
1:13–14 NIV).
Let your body reflect God’s glory. “You are not
your own. . . . Glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NASB).
Your struggles. “These sufferings of ours are for
your benefit. And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there
are to thank him for his great kindness, and the more the Lord is
glorified” (2 Corinthians 4:15 TLB; see also John 11:4).
Your success honors God. “Honor the LORD with your
wealth” (Proberbs 3:9 NIV). “Riches and honor come from you” (1 Chronicles
29:12 NCV). “God . . . is giving you power to make wealth” (Deuteronomy
8:18 NASB).
Your message, your salvation, your body, your
struggles, your success—all proclaim God’s glory. — IT’S NOT ABOUT ME /
Max Lucado, Live Loved: Experiencing
God’s Presence in Everyday Life (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011).
18.
1 Corinthians 6.20. How do we glorify God
in our bodies?
Does God care about fitness? Not as much as He
cares about your soul. He cares about eternity more than He cares about
time. Physical training is not as important as spiritual training. Running
is not as important as reading the Word. Working out is not as important
as praying.
But it is important. The Bible says so: “For
physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all
things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1
Timothy 4:8 (NIV)
The Bible says that Jesus didn’t just grow
spiritually. He grew, “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and
men.” Luke 2:52 (NIV). He grew wise. He grew physically. He grew
spiritually. He grew socially, or relationally. He grew in a balanced way.
Do you want to be like Jesus? Grow in wisdom. Grow spiritually. Grow
socially and relationally. And, grow in terms of fitness.
John prayed that his friend would enjoy good health
(3 John 1.2) He is clearly not talking about spiritual health because in
the next line he says, “even as your soul is getting along well.”
Physical health is of medium importance. It is not
as important as your soul, but it still matters.
Churches tend to concern themselves exclusively
with spiritual health. We create Christians who think godliness has to do
with how often you read your Bible and nothing to do with how often you
run.
The Bible says, “Do you not know that your body is
a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from
God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God
with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV). What does it mean to honor
God with your body? It means to be sexually pure. It means to not gossip
with your tongue. It means to not get drunk with wine. It means to not
smoke. And, it means to stay fit. — Josh Hunt,
Normal Is Fat; Be Weird, 2014.
19.
What do you want to recall from today’s
conversation?
20.
How can we support one another in prayer
this week?
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