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Ezekiel Chapter Twenty-Two

(Outline continues from yesterday)

2. The Lord tries His servants through the fire of testing which removes their dross (Ezek. 22:17-22; Isa. 1:25-26; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:24; 1st Pet. 1:6-7).
3. The Lord exposes Jerusalem’s conspiracy of priests, prophets, princes & people, and laments a lack of even one man to stand in the gap (Ezek. 22:23-31).
4. Even one man can make a difference (Jas. 5:16b-18; Gen. 18:23-32; Jn. 9:31)!

Ezekiel Chapter Twenty-Three

1. Chapter 23 is a parable of two wicked sisters—Oholah & Oholibah (Ezek. 23:4a).
2. The sisters were symbolic of Samaria & Jerusalem (Ezek. 23:4b).
3. The parable teaches the unfaithfulness of Israel towards their covenant husband (Ezek. 23:5ff.; 16:8,20; Jer. 3:6-11).
4. The premarital harlotry of these two sisters prompted their adultery (Ezek. 23:2-3,5-8).
5. Although the example of Oholah should have prompted Oholibah’s repentance, her evil was even worse (Ezek. 23:11-21).
6. God’s judgment comes upon Oholibah: she will be abused by her own lovers (Ezek. 23:22-35). This judgment includes the “song of the cup” (vv.32-34).
7. Ezekiel is asked to judge the two sisters, and three additional summaries of their harlotry are then described (Ezek. 23:36-44).
   1. Their harlotry came at the expense of the children they sacrificed (vv.37-39).
   2. Their harlotry extended to more and more lovers, of less and less distinguished stature (vv.40-42).
   3. Their harlotry continues even long after her body is destroyed by her harlotries (vv.43,44).
8. Graphic evil at times needs graphic messages (Jn. 16:25; Prov. 26:4-5; Eccl. 3:7).
9. Sin patterns from our past must be recognized, and guarded against in present time (Prov. 26:11; 2nd Pet. 2:21-22).

Ezekiel Chapter Twenty-Four

1. On the first day of the siege of Jerusalem, the Lord directs Ezekiel to mark the day and deliver another parable (Ezek. 24:1-3a). The 10^th day of the 10^th month equates to January 15, 588BC.
   1. The day is also mentioned in 2nd Kings 25:1 .
   2. Jeremiah also records this exact day (Jer. 39:1).
2. Ezekiel’s parable consists of a recipe—cooking instructions for the exiles (Ezek. 24:3b-5).  This parable is a reminder of Jerusalem’s evil message (Ezek. 11:3ff.).
3. The meal is ruined because the pot itself is rusty (Ezek. 24:6).

(Chapter Twenty-Four continues tomorrow)

Second Kings Chapter Twenty-Five

1. Chapter 25 describes the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.  This chapter is parallel to Jeremiah 52.
2. The siege lasted from January 15th, 588BC until July 16th, 586BC.

(Chapter Twenty-Five continues on Day 242)

Jeremiah Chapter Fifty-Two

1. Chapter 52 details the fall of Jerusalem.  It parallels ch. 39, 2nd Kgs. 25 & 2nd Chr. 36.
2. Chapter 52 is likely an addition to Jeremiah (by Baruch) after Jeremiah’s death.

(Chapter Fifty-Two continues on Day 242)