Unit 3: Courageous Prophets of Change
Ezekiel: Street Preacher to the Exiles Bible Background • EZEKIEL 18 Printed Text • EZEKIEL 18:1-9, 30-32 | Devotional Reading • PSALM 147
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will EXAMINE behavior in which we blame others as the cause, COMMIT to be responsible for our own behavior, and ENGAGE in responsible behavior that finds favor with God.
IN FOCUS
Alex and Andrew grew up watching their father, Mason, come home drunk. Sometimes Mason would scream at their mom or them or sometimes just go to bed to sleep it off. They saw him miss work because of hangovers and then have nothing to do in the evening but drink some more.
When Andrew moved out of the house, he prided himself on how he could drink responsibly. He would go out for drinks with the guys after work and enjoy himself at a weekend party. It was hard living on his own, though, and soon his treat of a nightcap turned to more and more drinking. Andrew was worried about what he saw his own life becoming, but what could he do? He had never had a positive role model to show him how to deal with life’s hardships. His dad had been an alcoholic and now he was borderline too. What had anyone really expected to happen?
Alex watched as his brother descended into the same path their father did. Even though Alex was the spitting image of his dad, they were very different in temperament. Knowing that he would likely have a problem with alcohol if he tried it, he decided to completely abstain. There were plenty of fun things to do with his friends that didn’t involve drinks.
How have you followed in your parents’ footsteps? When have you decided specifically to not follow their example?
FOCAL VERSES
KJV Ezekiel 18:1 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?
3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
5 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
6 And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
9 Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.