Come Follow Me 44

Come Follow Me Lesson 44

Introduction:
Ezekiel was invited to eat the word of God. So was Lehi. This is also in Mohammed’s record. Nephi invites us to feast upon the word of God. What does this symbolism mean to you?

Ezekiel 2:9–3:3, 10 How do you spread out the word of God before you, so that you can feast?
Ezekiel was a prophet in exile.

Ezekiel 1:28 Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord in vision.

Prophets have the task to warn the people that they should not be rebellious and that they need to repent. Ezekiel let the people know that although things were bad, there was a way back.

Ezekiel 37:4 Though we might be spiritually dead (dry bones), we are invited to hear the word of the Lord. President Nelson also has called upon us to hear and recognize the voice of the Lord.

Ezekiel 36:26 God can replace our stony hearts with feeling hearts of flesh. Those who are haughty and proud can become humble and meek.

Ezekiel 37:14 As we receive the  Spirit of God, we become alive again. New creatures.

Ezekiel 48:35 The New Jerusalem that we will build shall be called “The Lord is There.”

Personal Study: Thou Shalt Speak My Words

What opportunities has the Lord given you to minister?
Ezekiel 3:4 How have you shared His word with others?

Do you recognize the Lord’s words of encouragement and instruction to His prophets and to you?
How can God’s words to Ezekiel help you in your own ministry?

The Voice of Warning

Family Study: Ezekiel 33:1–5

Practice being a watchman. Give honest reports. Keep a journal. Warn, encourage, prepare. Follow the prophet.

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ezek/1?lang=eng

Ezekiel sees in vision four living creatures, four wheels, and the glory of God on His throne.

Vs 28 Though I do not understand most of the symbolism in this chapter, I like how everything is moved by the Spirit of the Lord and is in perfect harmony. It this verse Ezekiel expresses feeling adn seeing the glory of the Lord. He also heard His voice.

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ezek/2?lang=eng

Ezekiel is called to take the word of the Lord to Israel—He sees a book in which lamentations and mourning are written.

Vs 1-4 The Lord called Ezekiel to be His prophet.

Vs 8-10 Whether or not people accept the words of the gospel, we are to share it, and invite others to come unto Christ. Ezekiel was given the words to "eat". They were to become part of him. He was to accept them and teach them.

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ezek/3?lang=eng

Ezekiel is made a watchman unto the house of Israel—The blood of Israel is required at his hand unless he raises the warning voice.
Our prophets are watchmen. They must be true to the Lord and raise the warning voice to the people.

Vs 1-4 Learn the word of the Lord. Devour it. Feast upon it. Share it. Let others taste of its goodness. Gather Israel.

Vs 11 This is repeated many times, "Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear." It really isn't up to us to decide who we think is ready to hear the glad tidings. We are to share them.

Vs 17-19 Our job is to invite. The Spirit's job is to convert. We must not be weary in sharing the gospel. Our own salvation and the salvation of others depends upon it.

Vs 22-24 Where has the Lord called you to go so that He can speak with you and you can hear?

Vs 27 Israel has always been given the choice, to follow or to forsake the Lord. What will you do? What will you do for others who have lost their way?

Personal Study: The Lord Wants to Forgive

Ezekiel 33:10 We really are not fully alive when we are in transgression and sin; but, Jesus stands ready to forgive us, when we turn to Him and ask for His help.

Ezekiel 33:12–13 Can we trust in our own righteousness to save us?

Do you agree that the Lord treats us all fairly? See Ezekiel 33:12–19; Matthew 21:28–31; Luke 18:9–14; Ezekiel 33:15–16

What does it mean to repent?

What does it mean to be forgiven? Ezekiel 36:26–27; Alma 7:14–16


https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ezek/33?lang=eng

Watchmen who raise the warning voice save their own souls—Repentant sinners are saved—The righteous who turn to sin are damned—The people of Judah in Jerusalem are destroyed because of their sins.

Vs 3-9 If we are called upon to preach the gospel, then we have a responsibility to do so, and they Lord will hold us accountable for whether we serve others in love or abandon our post.

Vs 11 Jesus wants us to repent so that He can bless us!

Vs 13-15 A few days of righteousness will not suffice, if we forsake our covenants and turn to evil. If we have been evil, but repent and turn to God in righteousness, with full purpose of heart, He will forgive us and restore our blesses.

God does not have favorites. Those who are righteous receive the favor of the Lord.

vs 16 If we repent and stay true to the Lord, none of our sins will ever be mentioned to us or remembered by the Lord. He will have washed them all away.

Vs 17-20 The Lord's way is always equal. He does not play favorites. If we do right, we are favored, because we have chosen to be His.

Sin makes us unequal. Righteousness brings us to love our neighbor as ourselve and to diligently strive to lift him up.

 

The Lord has said that we need to love one another as He has loved us; to love our brother as ourself. Basic human needs need to be met in order for people to be able to progress and also become equal in spiritual things as well as physical.

 

Greed, pride, and vengence are evils that strip us of equality.

 

Vs 24 The Lord replies to these people that they don't deserve the land of Abraham at this time. It's the same in the New Testament when He says that he can make from these stones children to Abraham.

Abraham was one...Yes, he was one with God. The people say they are many, but they are weak. The land of their inheritance is taken from them, because they trust in their own strength and wisdom and have forsaken the covenant. We need to be one with the Lord.

 

Vs 30-33 Do not be someone who hears the words of the prophets, but doesn't do them. We all need to repent and follow the prophets.

Personal Study: The Lord invites me to feed His sheep.

How does a shepherd lead? Who are the sheep the Lord wants you to feed? (my ancestors)
How will you follow the example of the Lord, our True Shepherd? Ezekiel 34:11–31

John 21:15–17 If we love the Lord, we should feed His sheep.

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ezek/34?lang=eng

The Lord reproves those shepherds who do not feed the flock—In the last days, the Lord will gather the lost sheep of Israel—The Messiah will be their Shepherd—The Lord will make His gospel covenant with them.

Vs 2 You are spending a lot of time eating the word. Learn to impart what you have.

Vs 4 Consider if you are actually living Christ's true religion and undefiled.

Vs 5-6 So many are lost and scattered today, because they have no shepherd to follow.

What are you doing to help recover the lost sheep? both living and dead?

Vs 11-16 Jesus call after every one of us and finds us and is ever ready to reach out and lift and save us. His love is everlasting and His mercy endureth forever.

Vs 17-19 Love your neighbor as yourself and seek to make them equal in both earthly and heavenly things. This is a true shepherd.

Vs 23-24 Our Father will set up His Son Jesus Christ on the throne to serve us forever.

Vs 25-31 In the day that the covenant is established with Israel, the Lord will shower us with blessings, we will have all that we need, we will be delivered from all enemies and worries, and we will know that He is our God.

Family Study

What does it mean to have a stony heart? Ezekiel 36:26–27
How does the Lord give us a new heart and a new spirit?
Mosiah 3:19 What must we do?
5:2 How does the Holy Ghost help us to change?

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ezek/36?lang=eng

In the last days, all the house of Israel will be gathered to their own lands—The Lord will give them a new heart and a new spirit—They will have His gospel law.

Vs 6-7 How have we born the shame of evildoers. One day they will of necessity bear their own shame.

Vs 8-11 God will be with us and bless us more than ever before. We will know He is the Lord.

Vs 23-24 Israel was scattered among the heathen. They profaned the name of the Lord.

vs 25-28 The Lord will again gather Israel and establish them and make His covenant with them, and bless them.

He will make them clean and give them a new Spirit.

Following verses: He will do it for His name’s sake. We are not saved and blessed because of our personal righteousness, but because of His love, His grace, His power and His mercy. We can’t boast of the New City ourselves. It will be the Lord’s.

Personal Study: The Lord is gathering His people and giving them new life.

Ezekiel 36:24–30 How is Israel being gathered on both sides of the veil?

Ezekiel 37:1–14 What do dead bones being restored to life represent?

Ezekiel 37:15–28 What role do scriptures play in the gathering?

2 Nephi 3:11–13; 2 Nephi 29:14 How do this verses increase your understanding?

Watch video: “The Book of Mormon Gathers Scattered Israel”

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ezek/37?lang=eng

Ezekiel is shown the valley of dry bones—Israel will inherit the land in the Resurrection—The stick of Judah (the Bible) and the stick of Joseph (the Book of Mormon) will become one in the Lord’s hand—The children of Israel will be gathered and cleansed—David (the Messiah) will reign over them—They will receive the everlasting gospel covenant.

Vs 3-14 This is both figurative and literal. We can be renewed from death to life through repentance and the gift of forgiveness. We will also be resurrected and our bodies will live forever. Both of these are gifts we receive through the atonement of Jesus Christ. This life is not the end. All of God’s words will be fulfilled.

Vs 15-28 The Bible and the Book of Mormon have become one in the hands of believers. They will continue to witness that Jesus is the Christ and heir to the throne of David.

 

Israel and Judah shall no more be divided. We will all be God's people and He will be our God, who will rule for

evermore.

 

Family Study: Ezekiel 47:1–12.

 

These verses describe Ezekiel’s vision of water flowing from the temple and healing the Dead Sea

What could the water flowing from the temple symbolize?

Watch video: “And the River Will Grow”

Ezekiel 47:8–9, 11 How does the temple provide healing for you?

Elder Renlund speaks of the power that flows through us and from the temples to heal us and our families. Watch this again with Bob.

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ezek/47?lang=eng

Waters issue from the house of the Lord and heal the Dead Sea—The Lord shows the borders of the land.

Vs 1-9 Can you see how important it is for us to be endowed with power from on high? Then we need to go forth with the same commision given to Peter, James, and John, to feed the Lord's sheep and to invite them to come unto Him. They can be healed and receive the same endowment and become part of the flood of goodness taht will heal the land.

Vs 10 and on Be fishers of men.