Ezekiel Chapters 25 - 32 - Input?

[CradleJourney]

May I begin by asking your patience and forgiveness of any errors or gaffs, as this is my first post in these forums?

I am participating in a bible study through my parish and we are currently on the book of Ezekiel. Not exactly light reading! But I was doing okay until we got to these chapters.

I don’t know if it’s me, or a possible lack in our study guide which basically just gives some historical background on the who’s and where’s but not much else for this section.

Basically, I am really not getting anything from these chapters. I understand that they illustrate the control God has over the nations. I can see how a fellow exile with Ezekiel (and even those who came somewhat after) would find these words relevant and even reassuring - to know God is in control, that though Israel has been punished, their enemies will be punished as well.

But for me, today, is there wisdom, guidance, insight here? That’s what I’m struggling with. So far, it has given me a bit more insight into problems facing the Middle East from a cultural/religious point of view. But beyond that, not much?

I regard scripture as “infinitely knowable” and from personal experience have found it to truly be a Living Word that almost always has direct applications to my life, so I am wondering if I am missing something here. I wanted to ask if anyone had any thoughts/opinions/insights that they might be willing to share?

Again, my thanks for your time and patience

 

[Aloysium]

here are some of my thoughts:

• very interesting; it sounds a lot like what is going on in the world today; i believe there are many ppl who see the danger, but no one listened then, and they don’t listen now
• in other words, i see it as relevant to Ezekiel as it is to us now

in terms of scripture

• there’s a follow-up in Isaiah 23+

also in the New Testament:

• Luke 10:13 'Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 And still, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the Judgement than for you.

and

• Matt 15:21 Jesus left that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And suddenly out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, ‘Lord, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.’ 23 But he said not a word in answer to her. And his disciples went and pleaded with him, saying, ‘Give her what she wants, because she keeps shouting after us.’ 24 He said in reply, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ 25 But the woman had come up and was bowing low before him. ‘Lord,’ she said, ‘help me.’ 26 He replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to little dogs.’ 27 She retorted, ‘Ah yes, Lord; but even little dogs eat the scraps that fall from their masters’ table.’ 28 Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your desire be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.

Tyre and Sidon destroyed but still not completely condemned and ultimately redeemed in Jesus

don’t know if it helped you, but it brought somethings together for me

 

[CradleJourney]

Thank you for the New Testament References. I’m not very good yet at connecting things outside the book of the bible I happen to be in

It does give me some other perspectives to work on. Appreciate it!

 

[Ignatius]

Thank you for the New Testament References. I’m not very good yet at connecting things outside the book of the bible I happen to be in

It does give me some other perspectives to work on. Appreciate it!

It takes a little practice, but it is essential. If you take the passages out of the context of the whole book or out of the context of the all of Scripture, you will inevitablly head off into error.

The text, without the context, is nothing but a pretext!

 

[COPLAND_3]

I highly recommend checking out the commentary on the Aquinas Study Bible here sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/ezekiel

 

[CradleJourney]

I highly recommend checking out the commentary on the Aquinas Study Bible here sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/ezekiel

Thank you - I definately will! I love our weekly bible study group - but sometimes I just need more.

Apparently the presenter in the video commentary that we watched today may have had issues with this section as well since he completely skipped over these chapters, (except for a brief mention of the connection to Eden and the Fall in Ch 28:13), and went back to Ch 23 to focus on the two sisters symbolism instead. Our next section is Ch. 33 to 39 - which look like they may be a little bit easier for me.

I do so love studying the scriptures because of the connection they bring me to Our Lord - and I also rejoice in knowing I will never run out of things to learn about them!

 

[Nita]

These chapters show God’s judgement on gentile nations – nations that had not received the Mosaic law from God. Therefore, something I think those chapters demonstrate is the existence of the natural law that God has placed in all men (or at least minimum levels of acceptable human behavior). It is a law to which everyone is held accountable and will be subject to God’s judgement when they transgress it.

As far as applicability today, some people think ignorance of God’s truths protects them from any judgement. I think these chapters show such thinking is incorrect.

Just my :twocents:

 

[CradleJourney]

These chapters show God’s judgement on gentile nations – nations that had not received the Mosaic law from God. Therefore, something I think those chapters demonstrate is the existence of the natural law that God has placed in all men (or at least minimum levels of acceptable human behavior). It is a law to which everyone is held accountable and will be subject to God’s judgement when they transgress it.

As far as applicability today, some people think ignorance of God’s truths protects them from any judgement. I think these chapters show such thinking is incorrect.

Just my :twocents:

Definately worth a little more than two cents in my book I appreciate you sharing the insight.