Congregation Bible Study for the Week of January 18-24, 2027

Ezekiel

12. What does Ezekiel see before Jehovah appoints him as a prophet?

Comment 1: In 613 B.C.E., Ezekiel sees an impressive vision. He sees living creatures later identified as cherubs, a heavenly chariot, and a bright light representing Jehovah’s glory. Before receiving his assignment, he thus has the opportunity to appreciate the greatness of the One sending him. His mission does not come from human authority but from Jehovah.

Comment 2: The heavenly chariot showed Ezekiel how awe-inspiring and organized the celestial part of Jehovah’s organization is. That detail gives much weight to what happens next: Jehovah appoints him as a prophet and watchman. Although the people to whom he would speak could reject his message, Ezekiel had good reason to take seriously the authority of the One who had given him the commission.

Comment 3: After the vision, Jehovah explained that he had to warn the people whether they listened or not. Ezekiel’s responsibility was to communicate the message, not to guarantee a good response. This helps us appreciate his obedience and also maintain a balanced view when preaching: We must faithfully carry out our work, but we cannot decide for those who listen to us.

13. What prophecies does Ezekiel act out?

Comment 1: Ezekiel acts out the siege that Jerusalem would suffer. Jehovah commands him to use a brick with a representation of the city and to arrange around it features associated with a military siege. In this way, the exiles received a specific warning about what was going to happen. The city was not safe simply because it was Jerusalem; the disobedience of its inhabitants would have the consequences that Jehovah had announced.

Comment 2: He also acts out the famine that the inhabitants would suffer during the siege. The scarcity of food was part of the warning message, and the Bible account confirms that it later became terrible. By connecting the prophecy with its fulfillment, we see that Jehovah was not exaggerating. This encourages us not to minimize his warnings even when we do not yet see the consequences of ignoring them.

Comment 3: Another representation involved shaving his head and beard and following Jehovah’s instructions about what to do with the hair. This showed what would happen to the people of Jerusalem when the city was destroyed. Along with the message against idolatry, it made clear that the judgment had a cause: the people’s rebellion. It was not a misfortune without explanation or a capricious decision.

14, 15. What does Jehovah foretell about Jerusalem?

Comment 1: Jehovah foretells that Jerusalem will be punished for the detestable things practiced there. In the vision, the executioners execute those who do not bear the mark. The city would not be protected merely because of its past or because of its connection with Jehovah’s worship. Its inhabitants had to answer for their conduct, and nothing could prevent the announced sentence from being carried out.

Comment 2: An important detail is that, before the execution, those who sigh and groan over what is happening in the city are marked. Jehovah distinguishes between people; he does not consider all of them to have the same attitude. This invites us to examine how we react to what he disapproves of. It is not enough to avoid taking part; we also do not want to become accustomed to wickedness until we view it as something unimportant.

Comment 3: Although the destruction of Jerusalem was inevitable, Jehovah announced that some exiles would return. Thus, the message combines a firm warning with a real hope. Ezekiel also had to act out the exile and denounce the false prophets. The Jews needed to hear what Jehovah had decided, not pleasant messages that would make them believe they had no reason to be concerned.

16-18. What comparisons does Jehovah use?

Comment 1: Jehovah compares Jerusalem to a useless vine that is fit only for firewood and to a much-loved wife who becomes unfaithful. Both images help us understand why judgment would come. The city was not doing what Jehovah expected, and it had betrayed a relationship in which it had received much love. These were not simply minor mistakes or a lack of information.

Comment 2: In a riddle, Zedekiah is compared to a vine that will dry up. Later, Samaria and Jerusalem appear as two sisters who prostitute themselves, called Oholah and Oholibah. Samaria had already been destroyed, but Jerusalem had not learned from that example. This comparison reminds us of the importance of listening to warnings and learning from the mistakes of others, rather than thinking that we can act the same way without suffering consequences.

Comment 3: When the Babylonian attack begins, Jehovah compares Jerusalem to a rusty pot that must be put on the fire. The image highlights how serious the city’s corruption was. Even so, these chapters also explain that Jehovah judges each person according to his own actions. The judgment against the nation did not mean that he had stopped distinguishing between those practicing wickedness and those doing what was right.

19, 20. Against which nations does Jehovah condemn, and why?

Comment 1: Jehovah announces judgments against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia, and afterward against Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt. This part of the book presents messages against nations that rejoiced over Jerusalem’s fall. The fact that Jehovah disciplined his people did not mean that he approved of the contempt or mistreatment of their neighbors.

Comment 2: In the case of Tyre and Sidon, Jehovah foretold their destruction, and Ezekiel was instructed to sing a dirge over Tyre. These messages show that the neighboring nations also had to answer for their actions. They could not observe Jerusalem’s punishment as if they were beyond the reach of divine justice. Jehovah saw both the disobedience of his people and the conduct of those who despised them.

Comment 3: The prophecies against Egypt announced that Babylon would invade it. As we consider all these messages, we learn that Jehovah is not indifferent to what the nations do. We also find a personal lesson: We should not rejoice over the suffering of others. Even if someone is experiencing the consequences of his mistakes, that does not give us the right to mock him or treat him cruelly.

21, 22. What positive things does Ezekiel prophesy for the Israelites?

Comment 1: Jehovah promises to personally care for his sheep and place them under the direction of the shepherd he has chosen, the Messiah. This contrasts with Israel’s false shepherds, who had provoked his indignation. For the exiles, the hope was not limited to returning to a land. They could also count on Jehovah’s care and on direction that would reflect his concern for them.

Comment 2: Ezekiel announces that the Jews will return to their land. In addition, he sees a valley full of bones coming back to life, a vision that fits with this message of restoration. Although Jerusalem had been destroyed and the situation seemed desperate, Jehovah could give his people a future again. This teaches us not to measure the value of his promises solely by what present circumstances seem to allow.

Comment 3: The action of joining two sticks announced that the two-tribe kingdom and the ten-tribe kingdom would once again become one nation. Thus, Jehovah promised more than the return of scattered people: he promised unity. This hope helps us appreciate how important it is to serve him unitedly. The restoration was not limited to rebuilding places; it also included gathering his people together.

23, 24. What will Jehovah do when Gog attacks his people, and what vision does Ezekiel have?

Comment 1: When Gog attacks, Jehovah will defend his people and do away with Gog and his army. The prophecy does not portray God’s servants as abandoned in the face of their enemies. Jehovah knows about the attack that will take place and has announced how he will respond. This strengthens our confidence in his protection and helps us remember that the security of his people depends on him, not on human power.

Comment 2: In the year 593 B.C.E., Ezekiel receives a vision of an immense temple. An angel takes its measurements, Jehovah’s glory fills it, and a river flows out of it. Instructions are also given about the service and the distribution of the land. The central teaching is very encouraging: Jehovah assures the exiles that pure worship will be restored and highlights his righteous standards.

Comment 3: The box 26-D helps us appreciate the magnitude and precision of the vision. The gateways were 60 cubits high, and each side of the temple courtyard measured 500 cubits. In addition, words related to measuring appear more than 50 times. These details agree with the vision’s emphasis on Jehovah’s standards: restored worship was to respect what he established.

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