II.    Siege of the Holy City and the Punishment (Ch 4-7)

A.     The siege (4)

1.       The symbolism of the tablet (4:1-3)

2.       The symbolism of lying on the left side (4:4-8)

3.       The symbolism of eating bread (4:9-17)

B.     The punishment (5)

1.       The parable of shaving hair (5:1-4)

2.       Sin and punishment (4:9-17)

C.     The judgment (6)

1.       Adulterous hearts and adulterous deeds (6:1-10)

2.       Wicked practices and bad consequences (6:11-14)

D.     The end has come (7)

1.       God’s wrath (7:1-13)

2.       Man’s hardship (7:14-19)

3.       The defilement of the holy place (7:20-27)

Discussion questions:

1.      To the chosen people, what is the meaning of the words: “and they will know that I am the Lord” (5:13; 6:7, 13; 7:4, 27)?

2.      Pondering upon the meaning of suffering through admonition received (Isaiah 1:25, Ezekiel 7:1-5).

3.      Do you agree that the God of the Old Testament time was too cruel and harsh?

4.      If we are aware of potential problems and adversities, would that change our attitude and actions (7:17-19)?

5.      The holy place has the abidance of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. So then why would it still be defiled (7:24)?