2/07/10 Guide

Don’t You Forget About Me

Ezekiel 33

Week of 2/07/10

Getting Started

What’s better: Winter or Summer Olympics? Why?

Digging Deeper

In verses 1-7, we read that God appoints both a “sword” against his people and a “watchmen” to warn of this sword. What does this tell us about how God works in the world? Has God recently used an “instrument” to act in your life?

God has chosen to use instruments through which to work. He provides for kids through their parents; he provides for parents through employers; he protects families and business through government; he works through our faith; performs miracles through physical phenomena. This means that God is far more active in our lives than we might have imagined. It might be good to explore how God works in and through us and others in an everyday basis.

In verses 8-9, God warns Ezekiel that if he doesn’t proactively seek to dissuade a man from his wicked ways, “I will hold you accountable for his blood.” Compare this with Acts 18:6; 20:26-27. What does this mean (vs.9)? Does this apply to us? Why is God so insistent on the matter?

See John Calvin’s remarks on this passage: HERE

Imagine you’re a hearer of Ezekiel’s message. It’s clear that God is not pleased with your life, but what in verses 8-16 might give you hope that you can change?

Ezekiel is called to bring a difficult message to God’s people. When bringing a challenging message it’s been said, “it’s not merely what you say, but how you say it.” How is this confirmed in verses 8, 11, 12, 14? See how this is played out in Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:24-26. What are some less than persuasive ways we can present the love of God in the gospel?

Ezekiel isn’t merely to pronounce judgment on his people, but is to use the impending judgment to persuade them to turn to God. It is in this persuasion that Ezekiel must use tact and caution in addressing Israel’s faults redemptively. Consider in 2 Timothy 2:24-26 that God tends to grant repentance to lost people when his messengers share the gospel in gentleness and kindness.

Verse 10 records a sentiment common for many in Israel: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down…how can we live?” What false conclusions were they drawing from their sinfulness?

They were concluding that they had reached the point of no return.

Read verse 11. What is God telling the people about His heart toward them? Why does He share this? What is God’s plea in verse 11, how is He asking them to respond?

As much as God’s message has been heavy on judgment, God wanted them to hear His desire to avoid judgment.

Read verses 12-16. God warns both the godly and ungodly not to infer wrongly from their past actions. What conclusions were they to avoid? Why is there a tendency to infer these wrong conclusions?

Verse 16 says that if someone turns from evil, none of their sins will be remembered. In what way does God not remember our sins?

Putting It Into Practice

Who are you reaching out? Who is your One?

Share about progress, and/or your most recent contact with this person?

How can the group pray for you as you share God’s love with this person?