22 January 2002

Ezekiel 8

The Occurrence of the Visions of Ezekiel
"As I sat in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me…" Eze. 8:1

1. As revelation

2. As instruction

3. To be current and relevant in ministry.

The Vision of the Glory of God
Symbol of "fire" Eze. 8:2
"There was a likeness, like the appearance of fire…" Eze. 8:2

"And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain" Eze. 8:4 (Cf. Eze. 1:28)

The Vision of the Hidden Idolatrous worship at the Temple in Jerusalem
1. The setting up of an idol "image of jealousy" in the Temple precincts Eze. 8:5

2. The idolatrous practices of the "Elders of the house of Israel" Eze. 8:9-12

3. The idolatrous practices of the womenfolk Eze. 8:13-14

4. The worship of the sun in the inner court of the priests Eze. 8:15-6

The Sins of Israel Enumerated
1. The abominable practice of idolatry Eze. 8:17

2. Violence
"They have filled the land with violence" Eze. 8:17

3. The Mocking of God
"They put their branch to their nose" Eze. 8:17

The Fierce Judgment of God Explained
"Son of Man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Eze. 8:6

"They have returned to provoke Me to anger" Eze. 8:17

"Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity;
and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them" Eze. 8:18