Analyzing Labor Education in the Prophetic Books of Ezekiel: The Education of Labor in the Bible, #17

By Bible Sermons

This biblical teaching book shows how the prophet Ezekiel works in relation to work education. It offers a unique perspective on financial responsibility, business management and the balance between economic success and divine compassion. Students and business professionals will learn the indispensable lessons God has given us through the Old Testament to guide the chosen people toward divine justice and goodness by celebrating prophecy along the way. Discover the book Ezekiel and you will see again what it means to live a righteous life!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seminit Publications
• Release date: Aug 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223619130

Bible Sermons

This bible study series is perfect for Christians of any level, from children to youth to adults. It provides an engaging and interactive way to learn the Bible, with activities and discussion topics that will help deepen your understanding of scripture and strengthen your faith. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Christian, this series will help you grow in your knowledge of the Bible and strengthen your relationship with God. Led by brothers with exemplary testimonies and extensive knowledge of scripture, who congregate in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Book preview

Introduction to the book of Ezekiel

Living with God is not just a matter of personal worship and devotion. Living with God is also a matter of living righteously, whether in the workplace, at home, in the church, or in society. This does not contradict the teaching that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ (Romans 5 : 1 ), but it does point out that life with God begins with faith in Christ and is completed by living righteously in all aspects of life.

In the book of Ezekiel we find a compelling account of the suffering of the Jewish people as they live in uncertainty and oppression-even death-as prisoners in the conquering empire of Babylon. When they ask why God has allowed them to suffer in this way, Ezekiel gives God's answer: because of their unrighteous way of life (Ezek 18:1-17). Israel's unrighteous behavior encompassed all areas of life: marriage and sexuality, worship and idolatry, commerce and government.

Our focus is on work practices, and Ezekiel has much to say about the workplace. His words cover topics such as finance and debt, economic development, honesty, capital allocation, job evaluation, fair return on investment, economic opportunism, success and failure, whistleblowing, teamwork, executive compensation, and corporate governance. In addition, Ezekiel's powerful call to prophecy gives us an example of how God calls to a specific type of work.

Ezekiel's Call to Be a Prophet (Ezekiel 1-17)

Let us begin as the book begins, with God's call to Ezekiel to be a prophet. When we first meet Ezekiel, a descendant of Jacob's son Levi, he is a priest by profession (Ezek 1 : 2 ). As such, his daily work had previously consisted of slaughtering, butchering, and roasting the sacrificial animals brought to him by the people at the temple in Jerusalem. As a priest, he was also the moral and spiritual leader of the people, teaching God's law and adjudicating disputes (Lev. 10 : 11 ; Deut. 17 : 8 - 10 ; 33 : 10 ).

However, his priestly ministry was violently interrupted when he was taken into captivity to Babylon in the first deportation of Jews from Jerusalem in 605 B.C. In Babylon, the exiled Jewish community was burdened with two questions: "Has God been unjust to us? and What have we done to deserve this?" Psalm 137:1-4 captures well the despair of these exiled Jews:

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept, remembering Zion. On the willows in her midst we hung up our harps. For there those who carried us away in captivity asked us for songs, and those who tormented us asked us for joy, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the song