The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1924-06-07

which was driven away."-Ezek. 34:l6.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Ezekiel Preaching
to the EXiles.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-The Lord Seeking His Scattered
People.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-EzekieIs Mission to the Exiles.
Ezekiel prophesied in the lane OF
captivity. The latter part of Jere-
miah's ministry was contemporaneous
with that of Ezekiel. The purpose OF
his ministry was:
l. To Keep Before the Minds of TN
SCaaptiyes That Tx. Were i1A.s2s1
Because OFF, Sins Of the Nation
Geek. 1929.
.. To Show That God Was Righteous
in His Visitation of judgment Upon
Them Geek. 7:8, 81.
3. To Sustain Their Faith by AS
surfing Them of Their National Restor-
alton, the Punishment of Their Enc
mics and the Final Exalted Place of
Israel Among the Nations When Mes
siah should Reign Geek. "a :2O-3D.
l.. Indictment of the False Shep-
herds wv. 1-19).
Israafs ruined condition resulted
from the failure of the rulers to prop
erly care for the people of Israel, Gods
sheep. Their sin was that:
|. They Exploited the People In
stead of %Shepherding Them wv. 49,.
The shepherds were appointed to feed
the flock but instead of that they fed
themselves. even %devouring the sheep
and clothing themselv ) with the wool
thereof.
>. They Failed to Minister to the
Sick, the Diseased and Wounded ".
~. 1t is not enough that the shep-
herds refrain from doing evil to the
sheep. They are expected to strengthen
the weak and bind up the wounds OF
those that have been injured.
8. They Did Not Search Out the
Lost Sheep wv. 5-9). Sheep left to
themselves wander away. The sheep
are no expected to look after them
selves but to be cared for by the shep-
herd. In their scattered condition they
became the prey of wild beasts. None
sought after them though they had
wandered through the mountains and
over the hills.
4. The Lord Held the Priests and
Rulers of Israel Responsible for This
Condition ". 10). The Lord always
holds those responsible who have been
set over his children.
II. Israel to Be Restored wv. 11-22).
Though the rulers have so wretched-
" failed, the almighty God will come to
the rescue of His people.
l. He VIII Search and Seek Them
Out ivy. IL, 12). Though Israel be
scattered throughout the nations, the
! divine shepherd will deliver them from
every place where they have been scat.
/ tered.
2. Will Bring Them Into Their Own
Land ". 49,. This was partly full
filled in the return of the remnant I'M
der Ezra and Nehemiah, but the real
fulfllment awaits the future.
3. VIII Feed Them wv. IS, 14). He
will not only satisfy them with food
He will cause them to lie down In per
feet contentment and security wv
IA. 15).
4. Shall No More Be a Prey ". 22)
Though Gods chosen people have beer
scattered through the mountains ant
over the hills Of the nations and havt
been a prey to the repacious greed o.
the many nations, God will n da!
deliver his sheep and will Judge thu
false shepherds.
III. The Coming Good Shepher'
wv. 23-31).
The instrument through which thi
great deliverance Is to be wrought !
the Messiah Himself.
l.. He VIII Make a Covenant o
Peace ". 25). This condition Of peac'
will be brought about by the presenc
of the Lord among them. The worl'
and Israel will only know actual peac
when the Prince Of Peace shall com
and rule over the whole earth.
2. Evil Beasts Removed ". 25). TIL
redemption which awaits Israel an
the world will not only affect God
children and their rulers but will brin