Congregation Bible Study (30 min.): Rr ch. 14 paras. 8-14 and Box 13A.
8, 9. When Jehovah gave firm correction to men in positions of responsibility, what lesson could the people have learned?
With this correction, Jehovah made it clear that supervisors, men of authority, had to answer to Jehovah for the way in which they carried out their responsibilities. Advice, correction, and discipline were for them too. What's more, they had to be the first to obey Jehovah's laws!
ADDITIONAL COMMENT
Jehovah made it clear that supervisors, men of authority, had to answer to Jehovah for the way in which they carried out their responsibilities. Advice, correction, and discipline were for them too. indeed, they had to be the first to obey Jehovah's laws!
I treat each group with justice and mercy, each according to actions (Ezek. 44: 10,12-16). The leaders of Israel also received firm correction.
10, 11. What indicates that some Jews had learned the lessons conveyed by Ezekiel's vision?
Some faithful men, such as Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, and Nehemiah, taught the people that pure worship should take precedence, they insisted that the standards for pure worship be respected. Ezra and Nehemiah firmly told the Jews to leave their foreign wives, because they were spiritually weakening them. And after the exile, the nation finally came to hate idolatry.
ADDITIONAL COMMENT
Some faithful men such as the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the priest and copyist Ezra, or the governor Nehemiah did everything they could to teach the people principles such as those contained in the vision of the temple of Ezekiel (Ezra-5: 1,2). They were taught that pure worship must take precedence, it must take precedence over material issues and personal interests (Haggai. 1: 3,4). They also insisted that the standards for pure worship be upheld. For example, Ezra and Nehemiah firmly told the Jews to leave their foreign wives, because they were spiritually weakening them.
Many priests, chiefs, and princes humbly accepted the discipline.
ILLUSTRATION
Nehemiah encouraging those who work with him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah instilled in the people pure worship as he worked with them. (See paragraph 11)
12. How did Jehovah bless the exiles when they returned?
They enjoyed a good relationship with him, health and peace like they had not had in a long time. According to Nehemiah 12:43 the women and children were also very happy. There was so much joy in Jerusalem that it could be heard from afar.
ADDITIONAL COMMENT
They enjoyed a good relationship with Jehovah health and peace like they had not had in a long time. Why? Because eventually the people began to obey Jehovah's righteous standards for pure worship.
13, 14. a) How do we know that Ezekiel's temple vision has a fulfillment in our day?
We know this because it is linked to the vision of Isaiah. They have many similarities, for example both are in a high place, lofty, and something remarkable is that, Isaiah specifies that his prophecy would be fulfilled during "The final part of the days", that is, the last days. Which began in 1919 when pure worship was elevated and restored, so it continues to this day.
ADDITIONAL COMMENT
We know this from the way that Isaiah's prophecy complements Ezekiel's vision, in fact, Isaiah's has a fulfillment in the latter part of the days. So these prophecies have to do with the time we know as "The Last Days," especially since 1919, when pure worship was elevated and restored, as if placed on a very high mountain.
b) In what two ways does vision help us? (See also Box 13A, “Different Temples, Different Meanings”).
It helps us in two ways: 1) it teaches us practical lessons on how to obey Jehovah's standards for pure worship, and 2) it prophetically assures us of restoration of pure worship and Jehovah's blessings.
OPTIONAL ANSWER
1) It teaches us practical lessons on how to obey Jehovah's standards for pure worship, and 2) It prophetically assures us of restoration of pure worship and Jehovah's blessings.
INFORMATIVE BOX 13A: Different Temples, Different Meanings
Animals for sacrifices made in the temple of vision.
The temple of Ezekiel's vision
It was described by Ezekiel for the Jewish exiles in Babylon
It has an altar in which many sacrifices are offered
Highlight Jehovah's Righteous Standards for Worship
It focuses our attention on the spiritual restoration that began in 1919
The great spiritual temple
It was explained by Paul and addressed to the Hebrew Christians
It has an altar on which a single sacrifice is offered “once and for all” (Heb. 10:10)
Explains a spiritual reality that the tabernacle and literal temples long represented - the system that Jehovah has established for pure worship based on the sacrifice of Christ
It focuses our attention on the work that Christ did in his role as Great High Priest from AD 29 to 33.
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