◄ Ezekiel 8:11 ►
Before them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 8:11? 2. How does Ezekiel 8:11 illustrate the consequences of idolatry in our lives today? 3. What can we learn from the elders' actions about hidden sins in Ezekiel 8:11? 4. How does Ezekiel 8:11 connect with the first commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. In what ways can we guard against spiritual compromise as seen in Ezekiel 8:11? 6. How should Ezekiel 8:11 influence our worship practices and devotion to God? 7. What does Ezekiel 8:11 reveal about idolatry among Israel's leaders? 8. How does Ezekiel 8:11 challenge our understanding of religious hypocrisy? 9. What historical context is essential for interpreting Ezekiel 8:11? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 8? 11. Could Ezekiel 9 be interpreted as a purely symbolic vision rather than a literal event, and if so, why include graphic details? 12. In Ezekiel 8:10, why would the temple contain images of 'creeping things' if this contradicts the temple's strict laws against idolatry? 13. Ezekiel 11:23 describes the departure of God's glory from the Temple--how can we verify whether this was a real event or a later literary construct? 14. How does the severe condemnation of these idolatries in Ezekiel 8 align or conflict with other biblical accounts of tolerating foreign gods? Discussion Questions 1. What does the presence of the seventy elders in this vision reveal about the spiritual state of Israel's leadership? 2. How does the mention of Jaazaniah son of Shaphan personalize the account of idolatry, and what can we learn from this about individual responsibility? 3. In what ways can modern-day believers guard against the subtle infiltration of idolatry in their own lives and communities? 4. How does the misuse of censers and incense in this passage contrast with their intended use in worship, and what does this teach us about the importance of proper worship? 5. Reflect on a time when you have witnessed or experienced the consequences of leadership failing to uphold God's standards. How can this passage inform your response to such situations? 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 8:11 NIV Ezekiel 8:11 NLT Ezekiel 8:11 ESV Ezekiel 8:11 NASB Ezekiel 8:11 KJV Ezekiel 8:11 Commentaries Bible Hub