The Uniform Lesson for March 1
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

The theme for this spring quarter is “Christ and Creation.” This first month we will consider the creative nature of Christ as revealed in the Old Testament with the topic, “The Promise of New Life.” Our studies will consider five well-known passages from the book of Ezekiel.

The prophet Ezekiel had been carried captive to Babylon along with King Jehoiachin about 597 B.C. He had a wife (Ezekiel 24:15-18) and a home (8:1). He lived among the captives by the river Chebar. His task was to prophesy to the exiles of Judah who had been brought there. Even in exile, however, God did not forsake his people.

The first section of the book tells the exiles that they will not have a speedy return to Jerusalem; in fact, the city will soon be destroyed. Then Ezekiel pointed out the sins of the Hebrew nation that had prompted this punishment. Chapters 8-11 include one of several mysterious visions Ezekiel had. It is sometimes called the “temple vision.” Our printed text is from this section.

Fallacy/Ezekiel 11:14, 15

Verses 14, 15. The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, your brothers—your brothers who are your blood relatives and the whole house of Israel—are those of whom the people of Jerusalem have said, ‘They are far away from the Lord; this land was given to us as our possession.’” Some 90 times in this book God addresses Ezekiel with the title “son of man.” The brothers are Ezekiel’s fellow exiles from Judah who now are captives in Babylon. The whole house of Israel refers to the descendants of those transported there from northern Israel in 722 B.C. Some of the remnant living in Jerusalem believed that if one were taken out of Israel, it indicated that person had been cast off by Jehovah (see 1 Samuel 26:19). Iain M. Duguid explains, “On the grounds that ‘possession is nine-tenths of the law,’ they regard the de facto situation as an expression of God’s favor on them and displeasure with those in exile. They think of themselves as the true remnant while those in exile are under God’s judgment.” Ezekiel quickly corrects them.

Fact/Ezekiel 11:16

Verse 16. “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’” Because the Jewish people have been removed from the Holy Land, this does not mean God has abandoned them. He is their sanctuary even in the Dispersion. God’s presence was not limited to Jerusalem. Wherever his people were found, he could be present among them. Later Christ himself would become a substitute for the temple (John 2:19-21). For those still living in Jerusalem, the city itself will provide no protection because of the violent crimes committed by their leaders (see Ezekiel 11:7). God will judge them for their sins (see 11:10, 11; 2 Kings 25:21).

Future/Ezekiel 11:17-21

Verse 17. “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.” God’s chosen people will one day be returned to the land of promise. While these words were partially fulfilled as the Jews returned to their homeland, the ultimate realization of this promise will come in the heavenly Jerusalem. There the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb will serve as a temple for the redeemed (Revelation 21:22). This will be the ultimate sanctuary.

Verse 18. “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols.” The fulfillment of this promise began with the return to Israel by some of the exiles under Zerubbabel. Years later when John the Baptist prepared the nation for the coming of Christ, it is obvious that the people’s repentance was incomplete.

Verse 19. “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” The change in behavior Ezekiel prophesied could come only as the people made a single-minded commitment to the Lord (see Jeremiah 32:39). God’s people would receive a new spirit. Such moral transformation leads to complete obedience to the Lord’s will (see Ezekiel 36:26). Such a heart will not be hard and resistant like a stone, but tender like flesh, softened by God’s grace.

Verse 20. “Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” When a person has a new heart (one where God rules), it makes possible a covenant relationship between that individual and the Lord. Fellowship is restored between man and his maker.

Verse 21. “But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.” Judgment is promised just as surely as renewal. Those who refuse to forsake sin must one day pay its price. One day the exiles will be restored to the promised land, humbled and purified. |L

OTHER COLUMNS:
November 15, 2009 - A faithful people
November 8, 2009 - A suffering people
November 1, 2009 - A chosen people
October 25, 2009 - A holy people
October 18, 2009 - Opting out
October 11, 2009 - Begging to get in
October 4, 2009 - Recognizing Jesus
September 27, 2009 - Looking for Jesus
September 20, 2009 - Nehemiah: motivator for the people
September 13, 2009 - Ezra: priest for the people
September 6, 2009 - Gideon: deliverer for the people
August 30, 2009 - Joshua: leader for the people
August 23, 2009 - Deciding to follow
August 16, 2009 - Obeying the commands
August 9, 2009 - Dishonoring God
August 2, 2009 - Doubting and rebellion
July 26, 2009 - Grumbling and complaining
July 19, 2009 - Providing a fresh start
July 12, 2009 - Commissioning for service
July 5, 2009 - Remembering and celebrating
June 28, 2009 - Accepting God’s rules
June 21, 2009 - Finding protection
June 14, 2009 - Recognizing authority
June 7, 2009 - Accepting responsibility
May 31, 2009 - Hearing God’s call
May 24, 2009 - New armor for battle
May 17, 2009 - New life in the home
May 10, 2009 - New message from God
May 3, 2009 - New works in grace
April 26, 2009 - New family in Christ
April 19, 2009 - Help those in need
April 12, 2009 - You are witnesses
April 5, 2009 - He is risen!
March 29, 2009 - Jesus is crucified
March 22, 2009 - A new source of life
March 15, 2009 - A new breath
March 8, 2009 - A new respect
March 1, 2009 - A new shepherd
February 15, 2009 - Isaiah answers God’s call
February 8, 2009 - Esther risks her life
February 1, 2009 - Nathan confronts David
January 25, 2009 - A Shunammite woman hosts Elisha
January 18, 2009 - Samson’s mother prepares
January 11, 2009 - Joshua leads Israel
January 4, 2009 - Rahab helps God’s people
December 28, 2008 - Midwives serve God
December 21, 2008 - John the Baptist proclaims God’s message
December 14, 2008 - Shepherds glorify God
December 7, 2008 - Elizabeth honors the Messiah
November 30, 2008 - Hope for the suffering
November 23, 2008 - Grace in the community
November 16, 2008 - Leadership in the community
November 9, 2008 - Joy in the community
November 2, 2008 - Conflict in the community
October 26, 2008 - Unity in the community
October 19, 2008 - Evangelistic community
October 12, 2008 - Transformed community
October 5, 2008 - Growing community
September 28, 2008 - Empowered community
September 21, 2008 - Community of service
September 14, 2008 - Community of values
September 7, 2008 - Community of humility
August 31, 2008 - Community of repentance
August 24, 2008 - Prayerful community
August 17, 2008 - Godly servants
August 10, 2008 - Wise speakers
August 3, 2008 - Impartial disciples
July 27, 2008 - Doers of the Word
July 20, 2008 - Promised Messiah
July 13, 2008 - Exemplary servant
July 6, 2008 - Powerful healer
June 29, 2008 - Master Teacher
June 22, 2008 - Eternal Christ
June 15, 2008 - Trustworthy leader
June 8, 2008 - Perfect Redeemer
June 1, 2008 - Our only intercessor
May 25, 2008 - God’s Son
May 18, 2008 - Renewing the covenant
May 11, 2008 - Finishing the task
May 4, 2008 - Following a visionary leader
April 27, 2008 - Setting priorities
April 20, 2008 - Praying for the people
April 13, 2008 - Refusing to compromise
April 6, 2008 - Taking a stand
March 30, 2008 - Holding to convictions
March 23, 2008 - Josiah renews the covenant
March 16, 2008 - God fulfills his promises
March 9, 2008 - God calls Solomon to build the temple
March 2, 2008 - God makes a covenant with David
February 24, 2008 - The ark comes to Jerusalem
February 17, 2008 - Called to be a disciple
February 10, 2008 - Called to be humble
February 3, 2008 - Called to repent
January 27, 2008 - Called to labor
January 20, 2008 - Inspired to trust
January 13, 2008 - Inspired to pray
January 6, 2008 - Inspired to love
December 30, 2007 - Inspired to inquire
December 27, 2007 - Called to witness
December 16, 2007 - Called to rejoice
December 9, 2007 - Called to proclaim
December 2, 2007 - Called to be a vessel
November 25, 2007 - Called to believe
November 18, 2007 - Jacob blesses his family
November 11, 2007 - God preserves his people
November 4, 2007 - Joseph is exalted
October 28, 2007 - Joseph is mistreated
October 21, 2007 - Esau and Jacob reconciled
October 14, 2007 - Jacob and Rachel
October 7, 2007 - Jacob’s dream at Bethel
September 30, 2007 - Esau and Jacob as rivals
September 23, 2007 - Isaac and Rebekah
September 16, 2007 - Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael
September 9, 2007 - Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac
September 2, 2007 - In the image of God
August 26, 2007 - The beginning
August 19, 2007 - Committed to doing right
August 12, 2007 - Committed to returning to God
August 5, 2007 - Committed to taking responsibility
July 29, 2007 - Committed to hope even in pain
July 22, 2007 - Committed to trusting God
July 15, 2007 - Committed to accountability
July 8, 2007 - Committed to hope
July 1, 2007 - Committed to righteousness
June 24, 2007 - Committed to God’s requirements
June 17, 2007 - Committed to seeking God
June 10, 2007 - Committed to true worship
June 3, 2007 - Recommitted to God’s ways
May 27, 2007 - Committed to justice
May 20, 2007 - Anticipating Christ’s return
May 13, 2007 - Living in God’s Presence
May 6, 2007 - Finding a home in Heaven
April 29, 2007 - Taking our place at the table
April 22, 2007 - Christ is our protection
April 15, 2007 - Christ is able to redeem
April 8, 2007 - Christ is worthy of praise
April 1, 2007 - Christ is risen
March 25, 2007 - Christ the king
March 18, 2007 - The way to love
March 11, 2007 - The source of love
March 4, 2007 - The test of love
February 25, 2007 - The light of love
February 18, 2007 - I am the true vine
February 11, 2007 - I am the way, the truth, and the life
February 4, 2007 - I am the resurrection and the life
January 28, 2007 - I am the good shepherd
January 21, 2007 - I am the light of the world
January 14, 2007 - Jesus is the bread of life and living water
January 7, 2007 - Jesus is authority and judge
December 31, 2006 - I am from above
December 24, 2006 - Humiliation and exaltation
December 17, 2006 - The Word became flesh
December 10, 2006 - Light that conquers
December 3, 2006 - What God says about Jesus
November 26, 2006 - Who is Jesus Christ?
November 19, 2006 - God offers return and restoration
November 12, 2006 - The people go into exile
November 5, 2006 - Josiah brings reform
October 29, 2006 - Elijah triumphs with God
October 22, 2006 - God grants wisdom to Solomon
October 15, 2006 - God makes a covenant with David
October 8, 2006 - God answers Samuel’s prayer
October 1, 2006 - God leads through Deborah
September 24, 2006 - God sends judges
September 17, 2006 - Covenant renewed
September 10, 2006 - God’s covenant with Israel
September 3, 2006 - God’s covenant with Abraham
August 27, 2006 - God’s covenant with Noah
August 20, 2006 - Giving sufficient grace
August 13, 2006 - Giving is a witness
July 31, 2006 - Giving generously
July 30, 2006 - Giving forgiveness
July 23, 2006 - Called to Love
July 16, 2006 - Called to the common good
July 9, 2006 - Called to win the race
July 2, 2006 - Called to help the weak
June 25, 2006 - Called to relationships
June 18, 2006 - Living out wisdom
June 11, 2006 - Serving Together
June 4, 2006 - Serving with spiritual wisdom
May 28, 2006 - Serving in unity
May 21, 2006 - Living out wisdom
May 14, 2006 - Follow the path of integrity
May 7, 2006 - Accept God's invitation
April 30, 2006 - Seek wisdom
April 23, 2006 - Living in God's time
April 16, 2006 - Finding life's meaning
April 9, 2006 - God gives life
April 2, 2006 - Searching for hope
March 26, 2006 - Responding to tragedy
March 19, 2006 - Sing praise to the Creator
March 12, 2006 - God created and knows us
March 5, 2006 - God created wonderful things
February 26, 2006 - God made us special
February 19, 2006 - Live and teach the truth
February 12, 2006 - Follow a good mentor
February 5, 2006 - Develop Christian character
January 29, 2006 - Teach for godliness
January 22, 2006 - Practice justice and mercy
January 15, 2006 - Teach for godliness
January 8, 2006 - Call godly leaders
January 1, 2006 - Pray for everyone
December 25, 2005 - Rely on God's strength
December 18, 2005 - Good news for the world
December 11, 2005 - Hope for the suffering
December 4, 2005 - Strength for the weary
November 27, 2005 - Justice for all
November 20, 2005 - Paul says goodbye
November 13, 2005 - Priscilla and Aquila serve together
November 6, 2005 - Lydia demonstrates faithfulness
October 30, 2005 - Paul meets the Lord
October 23, 2005 - Peter escapes prison
October 16, 2005 - God welcomes Gentiles
October 9, 2005 - Philip teaches an Ethiopian
October 2, 2005 - Philip preaches in Samaria
September 29, 2005 - Stephen is faithful to the end
September 29, 2005 - Peter and John heal a lame man
September 18, 2005 - The church is bold
September 4, 2005 - The believers share