Ezekiel 16: Group Study Handout

Overview

Yahweh tells Jerusalem to know her abominations. Jerusalem's origins are from Canaan, with an Amorite father and a Hittite mother (vv. 3-5). In her birth, no one showed her compassion. Yahweh saw her in her blood and said, ‘Though you are in your blood, live!’ He cared for her and made her beautiful (vv. 6-14). But Jerusalem trusted in her beauty and engaged in spiritual adultery. She took gifts from Yahweh and gave them to idols and sacrificed her children (vv. 15-34). Yahweh declares judgment against her for her actions (vv. 35-43). He compares her to Samaria and Sodom, saying she is more corrupt (vv. 44-54). However, despite her sins, Yahweh will remember His covenant and promises restoration (vv. 55-63).

Key verse

“Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish to you an everlasting covenant.”

Ezekiel 16:60 (WEB)

Outline

1. Ezekiel 16:1–5 Jerusalem's Abominable Origins
2. Ezekiel 16:6–14 God's Covenant and Care
3. Ezekiel 16:15–34 Jerusalem's Spiritual Adultery
4. Ezekiel 16:35–43 Judgment Against Jerusalem
5. Ezekiel 16:44–54 Comparison with Samaria and Sodom
6. Ezekiel 16:55–63 Promise of Restoration

Discussion questions

1. What does God say about Jerusalem’s origins in v3?
2. In v15, how does Jerusalem respond to her beauty according to the text?
3. In vv. 20-21, what does the act of sacrificing children suggest about Jerusalem’s actions?
4. Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness in v32, how does the metaphor of a wife help convey her actions?
5. When in your life have you prioritized something that led to negative consequences, as described in v15?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Ezekiel 16: Ezekiel 23, Hosea 2, Jeremiah 2.

Before next time: read Ezekiel 17.