Ezekiel BS No.

22 9 November 2006
With acknowledgements to Chris Wright The Message of Ezekiel, IVP, 2001.
Read Ezekiel chapters 36:16-38
Theme: The gospel according to Ezekiel: from abandonment to abundance
Looking at it from Yahweh’s point of view.
Questions
1. Ezekiel 36:16-38. From profanity to purity. See verse 16. What new ‘word’ is
introduced and followed through in this passage? How did the gospel according to
Ezekiel become good news for Yahweh?

2. Ezekiel 36:16-19. What glimmer of hope is there in these verses?

3. Ezekiel 36:20-21. Profaning God’s name.

Define the meaning of profanity today and contrast it with its meaning in the Old
Testament. See Exodus 19:4-6.

4. Ezekiel 36:22-23. Defending God’s holiness.

Give an example from the book of Acts of God revealing his holiness before the
nations. Give a modern example of God revealing his holiness before the nations.

5. Ezekiel 36:24-30. Restoring God’s people – a work of sovereign grace. Here the
use of ‘I will’ is emphatic in the Hebrew. Describe your reactions to this account of
the unmerited initiative of God.

a. Ezekiel 36:24. Gathering the deported.

Why will God gather those he scattered? Deuteronomy 30:1-5.

b. Ezekiel 36:25, 29a. Cleansing the defiled.

Psalm 51:2 & 7; 1 John 1:9; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Hebrews 10:22.

c. Ezekiel 36:26-27. Transforming the disobedient.

What was the meaning of heart (leb)and spirit (ruah) in the Hebrew view? A heart
transplant? God will transform Israel’s mindset and fundamental orientation of will,
desire and purpose. Human freedom and divine sovereignty remain a mystery.

d. Ezekiel 36:28-30. Restoring the disgraced.

Read Leviticus 26:3-12. See Genesis 6:9; 17:1 and God’s ‘strolling’ with Adam and
Eve in the Garden of Eden. How do God’s promises to Israel reflect his purposes for
humanity as a whole.

6. Ezekiel 36:31-32. Shamed by God’s blessing.

What is the proper place of shame in the life of a believer? Read Psalm 25:1-3,7,11.
Quote from Wright pp.301-302.

7. Ezekiel 36:33-38. Rebuilding God’s reputation.

Select the 2 most important verses in this passage. Note the use of ‘Eden’ imagery.
What kind of restoration occurred when the exiles returned from exile under Persian
protection after the decree of Cyrus in 538 BC?