◄ Ezekiel 8:17 ►
"Son of man," He said to me, "do you see this? Is it not enough for the house of Judah to commit the abominations they are practicing here, that they must also fill the land with violence and continually provoke Me to anger? Look, they are even putting the branch to their nose! Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 8:17? 2. How does Ezekiel 8:17 reveal God's response to Israel's abominations? 3. What are the "detestable things" mentioned, and how do they offend God? 4. How can we identify and avoid similar abominations in our lives today? 5. Connect Ezekiel 8:17 with other scriptures on God's holiness and justice. 6. How should Ezekiel 8:17 influence our worship and obedience to God? 7. What does Ezekiel 8:17 reveal about the nature of sin and idolatry in Israel? 8. How does Ezekiel 8:17 challenge our understanding of God's patience and justice? 9. Why does God express anger in Ezekiel 8:17, and what does it teach about divine judgment? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 8? 11. In Ezekiel 8:14, is there historical or archaeological proof that women publicly wept for Tammuz in the Jerusalem temple at this time? 12. How can Ezekiel 17:6's description of the vine thriving and then withering be verified historically or archaeologically, if at all? 13. Why does the prophecy in Ezekiel 17:22-23 about planting a tender twig on a 'high and lofty mountain' seem scientifically implausible, given real plant growth conditions? 14. In Ezekiel 5:11-12, how can we reconcile the promised devastating punishment (famine, sword, and scattering) with accounts from other biblical or secular sources? Discussion Questions 1. What specific abominations were the people of Judah committing, and how do these relate to modern-day idolatry? 2. How does the phrase "putting the branch to their nose" reflect the people's attitude towards God, and what are similar attitudes we might hold today? 3. In what ways does idolatry lead to violence and moral decay in society, both in biblical times and today? 4. How can we ensure that our cultural practices align with God's commands, and what steps can we take to avoid being influenced by ungodly norms? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God due to sin. How did repentance and seeking God's forgiveness restore your relationship with Him? Ezekiel 8 Bible Study Questions 1. What does Ezekiel 8 teach about God's omniscience? 2. Discuss the significance of the location of the idol of jealousy in the temple. 3. How does the secretive nature of the elders' worship in Ezekiel 8:7-12 relate to hypocrisy in today's society? 4. Why did the people think their actions were hidden from God? 5. How might the women weeping for Tammuz be compared to present-day distractions that can lead us away from God? 6. Discuss the role of the temple in Israelite society and the significance of its corruption. 7. What is the significance of the men turning their backs towards the sanctuary and facing east to worship the sun? 8. How does God's response to the idolatry in Ezekiel 8 inform our understanding of His character? 9. How does this chapter serve as a warning against idolatry in any form? 10. What are some modern forms of idolatry that people may fall into today? 11. How can believers today safeguard themselves against spiritual apostasy? 12. How does God's righteous anger in this chapter resonate with His love and mercy? 13. How do you think Ezekiel felt during these visions, and why? 14. In what ways can the presence of hidden idols in our lives provoke God to jealousy? 15. How can we discern and remove "hidden doors" of idolatry in our lives? 16. How does the false sense of security of the Israelites reflect on today's society? 17. What can we learn from God's judgement as depicted in Ezekiel 8? 18. How does Ezekiel's vision relate to personal and collective responsibility in our faith? 19. How can the church today address and prevent the idolatrous practices represented in this chapter? 20. How can this study of Ezekiel 8 guide your personal relationship with God and influence your day-to-day decisions? Links Ezekiel 8:17 NIV Ezekiel 8:17 NLT Ezekiel 8:17 ESV Ezekiel 8:17 NASB Ezekiel 8:17 KJV Ezekiel 8:17 Commentaries Bible Hub