26 February 2002

Text: Ezekiel 11:14-25

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WHOM GOD JUDGED
1. They despised those who were exiled

2. Those who remained behind in Jerusalem saw themselves as the ones whom God had blessed with the possession of the land

3. They even used God's Name in their mistaken viewpoint
"Get away from the Lord…" Eze. 11:15

4. They will be judged according to their sins
"But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads…" Eze. 11:21

CONCERNING THE EXILED
1. Ezekiel was to accept God's Judgment of the residents in Jerusalem

2. The exiled were to be Ezekiel's kinsmen
"Son of man, your brethren, your relatives, your countrymen, and all the house of Israel in its entirety are those whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said,
'Get far away from the Lord…' Eze. 11:15

3. The scattering of Israel was the work of God
"I have cast them far off among the Gentiles… I have scattered them among the countries…" Eze. 11:16

4. God's special promises
a) He will be "a little sanctuary to them" Eze. 11:16

b) He will gather the scattered and bring them back to Israel one day Eze. 11:17

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL PROMISED/PROPHESIED
1. The restored will never again worship idols. They will cast them away as things which are "detestable" Eze. 11:18

2. God will do a new spiritual work in their hearts
a) "Then I will give them one heart…" Eze. 11:19
b) "And I will put a new spirit within them…" Eze. 11:19
c) "And take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh"
Eze. 11:19
d) "They shall be My people, and I will be their God" Eze. 11:20

THE GLORY OF THE LORD
"The glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city…" Eze. 11:23