Isaiah 65:1-2:
“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;
I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’
2 All day long I have held out my hands
to an obstinate people,
who walk in ways not good,
pursuing their own imaginations—
Ezekiel 20:4-7:
God reminds his people that he chose them and swore to the descendants of Jacob and revealed himself to them in Egypt. He said to them, “I am the Lord your God.” He swore to bring them out of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands. Do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 3: Isaiah 65:1-2 and Ezekiel 20:4-7
5a) God promised his people to be their God, to bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey, and to provide for them. He called them to not defile themselves with the idols of Egypt. To follow his ways and obey him fully, to keep his covenant, and keep Sabbaths holy. Then they will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Then they will be his people and he will be their God.
b) They turned to false gods at every turn. They did not obey his laws or his wishes. They disbelieved the prophets. They intermarried with pagans. In short, they did not put him first in their lives.
6a) God called out to them by name and held out his hands. He also said he would destroy them in Deuteronomy 30:15-18 and not live long in the Promised Land. The Assyrians would capture them says 2 Kings 17:6. Lord sent Babylonian Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders to destroy Judah in 2 Kings 24:2. Yet, God still tried to return his people to him. 2 Chronicles 36:15 says,”The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place.”
b) That God never gives up on His people. He punishes them but always gives them a road to redemption.
7a) Psalm 86:11 says, “Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
Ezekiel 11:19-20 says if we follow God and his laws, we will be His people. So, if you want to be God’s, do what he says!
b) Busyness of life. Others. Sin. Temptations to sin. Selfishness.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 3: Isaiah 65:1-2 and Ezekiel 20:4-7
I love how we see just how much God loves us in these verses. He never stops pursuing us, no matter how much we fall.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 3: Isaiah 65:1-2 and Ezekiel 20:4-7
Isaiah 65:1-2:
God held out his hands to Israel who rejected him or sought him insincerely, following their ways rather than the Lord’s. Yet, God is found by those who seek him sincerely.
Ezekiel 20:4-7:
God is speaking of an oath He made to his people while in exile in Egypt. He repeats his promise he made to Abraham and promises to bring them out of Egypt to the promised land. However, they must throw away the idols of Egypt.
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I am way behind, just finished Lesson 11. Loved what you said “I love how we see just how much God loves us in these verses. He never stops pursuing us, no matter how much we fall.” That has been my experience all of my life.