Nov 8, 2009 Ezekiel 1-3:23, and a Jeremiah resource link

Word Listeners met on Nov 8th and 15th, I'll send in notes from the 15th
soon.

One additional thing I had gotten a while back was a link to some
teachings on Jeremiah. I've been meaning to share it, but haven't until
now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Cdqb31ty4&feature=channel

The posting for Nov. 8, 2009 Wordlisteners Ezekiel 1-3:23 is as follows:

We had 18 for Wordlisteners tonight, and we eagerly awaited for our
guest leader to lead us through Ezekiel. He gave us some background on
Ezekiel and we read and discussed Chs 1-3:21. I made notes and typed
them up, they are as follows:

Ezekiel 1
Ezekiel was of the priestly tradition. He was part of the early exile
of Jews from Judah to Babylon. In reading his book (which God has kept
for us) the following general themes can be seen.
Judgment
Syncretism- mixed worship practices pagan and Jewish
Restoration
Temple worship- the presence of God
Theodicy- how do we know God is with us. How do we experience Him.

In this chapter Ezekiel has a vision of God. Its awesome, maybe scary.
In thinking about how God appeared throughout the Bible, there is
usually great fear associated by those coming into the presence of God.
Our leader contrasted this with Elijah's still small voice. The vision
represents a mobile God, a God that was going with His people into
exile.

One comment was about the four faces on the vision and four facets of
God (we usually think of Him as a Trinity).

God is everywhere.

Ezekiel 2

A very short chapter about Ezekiel's call by God, Israel had been
selfish - worshiping other God's. God is still loyal to His chosen
people despite their disobedience. He is to go to them and speak God's
word- the work of a prophet- whether the people listen or not.

Ezekiel 3

God handed him a scroll of lamentations and doom and told him to eat it.
God's word literally being ingested. It shows the importance of reading
and study. In eating the Word it was sweet in his mouth. Seemingly
unpleasantness when associated with God is pleasant.

He is warned that the people of Israel are stubborn. God will make him
more stubborn in order to get His message out regardless of the
circumstances. God is far more long-suffering than we are as evidenced
by how long He kept Jerusalem from being destroyed. He is also more
stubborn.

He sends Ezekiel to the people of Israel, and he waits seven days before
God gives him a message. 7, the number of creation, the number of
mourning and for this people renewal. The number of completeness.

We stopped at verse 21.