III. The Secularization of the Holy Temple and the Captivity of the Chosen People (Ch 8-12)

A.     The four detestable things in the temple (8)

1.       Examine in a spiritual sense because what’s inside does not match what’s shown outwardly (8:7-10)

2.       The leaders’ conducts in secret (8:11-12)

3.       God’s wrath and His departure from the Holy Place (8:6, 17)

B.     The punishment on the Holy City (9)

1.       Those who received the punishment (3-5)

2.       Those who were slaughtered – slaughtering began with the elders (9:6-8)

C.     The glory departs from the temple (10)

1.       God’s glory filled the temple (8:1-2; 10:3)

2.       The glory departed from the cherub (10:4)

3.       The glory departed from over the threshold (10:10-19)

4.       The glory went up from the midst of the city (11:23)

D.     The exile symbolized (11)

1.       The exile – God’s righteousness (11:1-12)

2.       The return – God’s mercy and love (11:!3-21)

E.     The exile symbolized (12)

1.       The migration of the prophet (1-16)

2.       Eat and drink in anxiety and despair (17-20)

3.       The judgment is near (21-28)

Discussion questions:

1.      What is the contemporary meaning of the idol’s presence in the temple?

2.      What’s the meaning of the corrupted temple that Ezekiel saw in the spirit?

3.      From the history of the church, study about the departure of God’s glory from the temple.

4.      Using chapter 9, discuss the importance of godly sorrow (2 Cor 7:10)