00:00:01 Jehovah loved and cared for the Israelites
00:00:06 as his “treasured possession.”
00:00:09 But how did they respond to God’s love?
00:00:13 By worshipping false gods
00:00:16 in the very temple that bore his name!
00:00:21 They broke Jehovah’s heart
00:00:24 and brought reproach upon his name.
00:00:28 Why did Israel sink so low?
00:00:32 What can we learn from Ezekiel’s prophecy
00:00:35 about Jerusalem’s destruction?
00:00:38 Those questions are answered
00:00:41 in section 2 of the book
00:00:43 Pure Worship of Jehovah —Restored At Last!
00:00:48 This section is based
00:00:50 on Ezekiel 5:11 and is entitled
00:00:53 “It Was My Sanctuary That You Defiled.”
00:00:58 The first chapter of this section focuses
00:01:01 on apostate Judah’s spiritual and moral decline.
00:01:06 Ezekiel knew the Mosaic Law well.
00:01:10 He knew what was involved in giving Jehovah pure worship,
00:01:15 but he saw things happening at the temple in Jerusalem
00:01:19 that would shock any faithful worshipper of Jehovah.
00:01:25 Turn, please, to Ezekiel 8:9,
00:01:30 and read along with me:
00:01:32 “He said to me: ‘Go in and see
00:01:35 the evil, detestable things that they are doing here.’”
00:01:41 This passage sets the scene for chapter 5,
00:01:46 “See the Evil, Detestable Things That They Are Doing.”
00:01:52 As you study this chapter,
00:01:54 look for the answers to the following questions:
00:01:58 What does Jehovah rightly expect of his worshippers,
00:02:02 and how can you live up to his expectation?
00:02:07 In what ways did the Israelites
00:02:09 become spiritually unclean,
00:02:12 but how can you keep spiritually clean?
00:02:15 And why are you determined
00:02:19 to stay morally clean?
00:02:22 As you consider this material, ask yourself,
00:02:26 ‘What temptations must I resist
00:02:30 if I’m to remain spiritually clean?’
00:02:35 Please be assured
00:02:37 that Jehovah will give you the strength you need
00:02:41 to reject any temptation
00:02:43 or to overcome any unclean habit.
00:02:47 Only if we remain clean
00:02:51 can we give Jehovah what he deserves
00:02:55 —our pure worship.
