EZEKIEL CHAPTER FOURTEEN

PROPHET - DATE JONAH( BC)? JOEL(800BC)? HOSEA( BC)? MICAH( BC)? AMOS(784BC)? ISAIAH( BC)? NAHUM (700BC)? ZEPHANIAH(630BC)? JEREMIAH( BC)? DANIEL ( BC)? HABAKKUK(598BC)? EZEKIEL ( BC)? OBADIAH( BC)? EZRA ( BC)? HAGGAI ( BC)? ZECHARIAH ( BC)? ESTHER ( BC)? NEHEMIAH ( BC)? MALACHI ( BC)? KING / EVENT - DATE TIGLATH-PILESER ( BC)? HEZEKIAH (JUDAH) ( BC)? SHALMANESER ( BC)? ISRAEL TAKEN CAPTIVE (722BC)? SENNACHERIB ( BC)? NEBUCHADNEZZAR ( BC)? ZEDEKIAH (JUDAH) ( BC)? JUDAH TAKEN CAPTIVE (586BC)? BELSHAZZAR ( BC)? CYRUS ( BC)? BABYLON DESTROYED (536BC)? DARIUS ( BC)?

OUTLINE EZEKIEL CHAPTER FOURTEEN IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHEDV JUDGMENT ON UNFAITHFULNESS V

READ:EZEKIEL 14:1-3 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 1Now some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. 2And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:1-3 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 1Now some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. 2And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them? WHO CAME TO EZEKIEL?WHY? HAD THEY COME TO EZEKIEL BEFORE? WHAT DID THE LORD SAY CONCERNING THEM? WHAT HAVE THEY SET IN THEIR HEARTS? WHAT CAUSES THEM TO STUMBLE? SHOULD THE LORD LISTEN TO THEM?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:1-3 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 1Now some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. WHO CAME TO EZEKIEL?WHY? HAD THEY COME TO EZEKIEL BEFORE? WHO WAS SITTING WITH EZEKIEL AT HIS HOME? READ:EZEKIEL 8:1 1And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me there. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:3 3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them? WHAT DID THE LORD SAY CONCERNING THEM? WHAT HAVE THEY SET IN THEIR HEARTS? WHAT DID THE PSALMIST SAY ABOUT THIS? READ:PSALMS 66: If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. 19 But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:3 3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them? WHAT HAVE THEY SET IN THEIR HEARTS? WHAT CAUSED THEM TO STUMBLE? READ:EZEKIEL 6:4 4 Then your altars shall be desolate, your incense altars shall be broken, and I will cast down your slain men before your idols. NKJV READ:EZEKIEL 7:19 19'They will throw their silver into the streets, And their gold will be like refuse; Their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them In the day of the wrath of the LORD; They will not satisfy their souls, Nor fill their stomachs, Because it became their stumbling block of iniquity. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:3 3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them? WHAT HAVE THEY SET IN THEIR HEARTS? WHAT CAUSES THEM TO STUMBLE? SHOULD THE LORD LISTEN TO THEM? WHAT DID THE WISEMAN SAY ABOUT THIS? READ:PROVERBS 15:29 29 The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. NKJV READ:PROVERBS 28:9 9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:3 3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them? WHAT HAVE THEY SET IN THEIR HEARTS? WHAT CAUSES THEM TO STUMBLE? SHOULD THE LORD LISTEN TO THEM? WHAT DID THE LORD SAY?WHY? READ:ISAIAH 1:15 15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. NKJV

READ:EZEKIEL 14:4-5 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 4"Therefore speak to them, and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols, 5that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols."'

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:4-5 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 4"Therefore speak to them, and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols, 5that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols."' WHAT DID THE LORD SAY TO THEM? WHAT SHOULD THEY EXPECT FROM THE PROPHET? HOW WILL THE LORD RESPOND?WHY?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:4 WHAT DID KING AHAB ASK MICAIAH? HOW DID AHAB RESPOND? READ:1 KINGS 22: Then he came to the king; and the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall we refrain?“ And he answered him, "Go and prosper, for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king!" 16 So the king said to him, "How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?"

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:4 WHAT DID MICAIAH SAY TO KING AHAB? HOW DID AHAB RESPOND? READ:1 KINGS 22: Then he said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.'" 18 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?" NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:4 WHAT DID THE WISEMAN SAY ABOUT THIS? READ:PROVERBS 26:4-7 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes. 6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:5 5that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols."' HOW DID THE LORD RESPOND?WHY? READ:ROMANS 1: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:5 5that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols."' HOW DID THE LORD RESPOND?WHY? READ:2 THESSALONIANS 2: ….because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:5 5that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols."' HOW DID THE LORD RESPOND?WHY? JESHURUN - JERUSALEM READ:DEUTERONOMY 32:15 15 "But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; You grew fat, you grew thick, You are obese! Then he forsook God who made him, And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation. NKJV READ:HOSEA 5:7 7 They have dealt treacherously with the LORD, For they have begotten pagan children. Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:5 5that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols."' HOW DID THE LORD RESPOND?WHY? READ:ZECHARIAH 11:8 8 I dismissed the three shepherds in one month. My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me. (Pharisees and scribes and lawyers)? READ:JEREMIAH 2:11 11 Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit. NKJV

READ:EZEKIEL 14:6 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 6"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:6 6"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations. WHAT DOES THE LORD WANT ISRAEL TO DO? WHAT DID NEHEMIAH SAY? READ:NEHEMIAH 1:8-9 8Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; 9but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.' NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:6 6"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations. WHAT DOES THE LORD WANT ISRAEL TO DO? WHAT DID THE LORD SAY? READ:ISAIAH 30: Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it,“ Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. 22 You will also defile the covering of your images of silver, And the ornament of your molded images of gold. You will throw them away as an unclean thing; You will say to them, "Get away!" NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:6 6"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations. WHAT DOES THE LORD WANT ISRAEL TO DO? WHAT DID THE LORD SAY? READ:JEREMIAH 3: Then the LORD said to me, "Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. 12Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: 'Return, backsliding Israel,' says the LORD; 'I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,' says the LORD; 'I will not remain angry forever. 13 Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against the LORD your God, And have scattered your charms To alien deities under every green tree, And you have not obeyed My voice,' says the LORD.

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:6 6"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations. WHAT DOES THE LORD WANT ISRAEL TO DO? WHAT DID THE LORD SAY? READ:JEREMIAH 35:15 15I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, 'Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them; then you will dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.' But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me. NKJV

READ:EZEKIEL 14:7-8 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 7For anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who separates himself from Me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, then comes to a prophet to inquire of him concerning Me, I the LORD will answer him by Myself. 8I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:7-8 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 7For anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who separates himself from Me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, then comes to a prophet to inquire of him concerning Me, I the LORD will answer him by Myself. 8I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. IS THE LORD TALKING TO BOTH JEW & GENTILE? WHO WILL THEY HAVE TO ANSWER TO? WHAT WILL THE LORD DO TO THEM?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:7 7For anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who separates himself from Me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, then comes to a prophet to inquire of him concerning Me, I the LORD will answer him by Myself. IS THE LORD TALKING TO BOTH JEW & GENTILE? READ:EXODUS 12: And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. 49 One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you." NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:7 7For anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who separates himself from Me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, then comes to a prophet to inquire of him concerning Me, I the LORD will answer him by Myself. IS THE LORD TALKING TO BOTH JEW & GENTILE? READ:EXODUS 20:8-10 8"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:7 IS THE LORD TALKING TO BOTH JEW & GENTILE? READ:LEVITICUS 17:8-9 8 "Also you shall say to them: 'Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice, 9 and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to offer it to the LORD, that man shall be cut off from among his people. NKJV READ:LEVITICUS 17:10 10'And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:7 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 7For anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who separates himself from Me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, then comes to a prophet to inquire of him concerning Me, I the LORD will answer him by Myself. IS THE LORD TALKING TO BOTH JEW & GENTILE? READ:LEVITICUS 20:2 2"Again, you shall say to the children of Israel: 'Whoever of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who gives any of his descendants to Molech, he shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:8 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 8I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. IS THE LORD TALKING TO BOTH JEW & GENTILE? WHAT WILL THE LORD DO TO THEM? WHAT HAPPENED TO KORAH, DATHAN & ABIRAM? WHY? READ:NUMBERS 26:10 10 the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men; and they became a sign. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:8 8I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. WHAT WILL THE LORD DO TO THEM? WHAT HAPPENED TO KORAH, DATHAN & ABIRAM? WHAT DID THE LORD TELL ELEAZAR TO DO?WHY? READ:NUMBERS 16: "Tell Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, to pick up the censers out of the blaze, for they are holy, and scatter the fire some distance away. 38The censers of these men who sinned against their own souls, let them be made into hammered plates as a covering for the altar. Because they presented them before the LORD, therefore they are holy; and they shall be a sign to the children of Israel." NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:8 8I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. WHAT WILL THE LORD DO TO THEM? DID THE LORD WARN THEM ABOUT THIS? READ:DEUTERONOMY 28: "The LORD will bring you and the king whom you set over you to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods — wood and stone. 37 And you shall become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all nations where the LORD will drive you. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:8 WHAT WILL THE LORD DO TO THEM? WHY? READ:EZEKIEL 5: 'So it shall be a reproach, a taunt, a lesson, and an astonishment to the nations that are all around you, when I execute judgments among you in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I, the LORD, have spoken. 16When I send against them the terrible arrows of famine which shall be for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, I will increase the famine upon you and cut off your supply of bread. 17 So I will send against you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.'" NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:8 WHAT WILL THE LORD DO TO THEM? WHY? READ:JEREMIAH 42: "The LORD has said concerning you, O remnant of Judah, 'Do not go to Egypt!' Know certainly that I have admonished you this day. 20For you were hypocrites in your hearts when you sent me to the LORD your God, saying, 'Pray for us to the LORD our God, and according to all that the LORD your God says, so declare to us and we will do it.' 21And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, or anything which He has sent you by me. 22 Now therefore, know certainly that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to dwell." NKJV

READ:EZEKIEL 14:9-11 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 9"And if the prophet is induced to speak anything, I the LORD have induced that prophet, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. 10And they shall bear their iniquity; the punishment of the prophet shall be the same as the punishment of the one who inquired, 11that the house of Israel may no longer stray from Me, nor be profaned anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be My people and I may be their God," says the Lord GOD.'"

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:9-11 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 9"And if the prophet is induced to speak anything, I the LORD have induced that prophet, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. 10And they shall bear their iniquity; the punishment of the prophet shall be the same as the punishment of the one who inquired, 11that the house of Israel may no longer stray from Me, nor be profaned anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be My people and I may be their God," says the Lord GOD.'" WHAT DID GOD SAY ABOUT THE FALSE PROPHETS? WHO SHALL BEAR THEIR INIQUITY? WHY DESTROY THE FALSE PROPHETS?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:9 IDOLATRY WILL BE PUNISHED 9"And if the prophet is induced to speak anything, I the LORD have induced that prophet, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. WHAT DID GOD SAY ABOUT THE FALSE PROPHETS? READ:DEUTERONOMY 13:3 3You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:9 9"And if the prophet is induced to speak anything, I the LORD have induced that prophet, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. WHAT DID MICAIAH SAY ABOUT THEM? READ:1 KINGS 22:23 23Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you." NKJV (2 CHRONICLES 18:22)

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:9 WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE FALSE PROPHETS? READ:JEREMIAH 14:15 15Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, whom I did not send, and who say, 'Sword and famine shall not be in this land' — 'By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed! NKJV READ:ZECHARIAH 13:3 3 It shall come to pass that if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who begot him will say to him, 'You shall not live, because you have spoken lies in the name of the LORD.' And his father and mother who begot him shall thrust him through when he prophesies. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:10 10And they shall bear their iniquity; the punishment of the prophet shall be the same as the punishment of the one who inquired, WHO SHALL BEAR THEIR INIQUITY?WHY? WHAT HAPPENED TO KING SAUL?WHY? READ:1 SAMUEL 16:14 14But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:10 10And they shall bear their iniquity; the punishment of the prophet shall be the same as the punishment of the one who inquired, WHO SHALL BEAR THEIR INIQUITY?WHY? WHO DID KING SAUL SEEK?WHY? READ:1 SAMUEL 28:6-7 6 When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor." NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:10 10And they shall bear their iniquity; the punishment of the prophet shall be the same as the punishment of the one who inquired, WHO SHALL BEAR THEIR INIQUITY?WHY? READ:2 THESSALONIANS 2: Because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. READ:JAMES 1:13 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:11 11that the house of Israel may no longer stray from Me, nor be profaned anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be My people and I may be their God," says the Lord GOD.'" WHY DID THE LORD DESTROY THE FALSE PROPHETS? READ:ISAIAH 51:16 16 I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, 'You are My people.'" NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:11 11that the house of Israel may no longer stray from Me, nor be profaned anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be My people and I may be their God," says the Lord GOD.'" WHY DID THE LORD DESTROY THE FALSE PROPHETS? READ:EZEKIEL 11: I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.NKJV

READ:EZEKIEL 14:12-14 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 12The word of the LORD came again to me, saying: 13"Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. 14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD.

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:12-14 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 12The word of the LORD came again to me, saying: 13"Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. 14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD. WHAT IS THE LORD DETERMINED TO DO?WHY?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:13 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 13"Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. WHAT IS THE LORD DETERMINED TO DO?WHY? READ:JEREMIAH 15:1 1Then the LORD said to me, "Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favorable toward this people. Cast them out of My sight, and let them go forth. NKJV WHAT DID MOSES, AARON AND SAMUEL DO?

WHAT DID MOSES DO?WHY? READ:EXODUS 32: Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: "LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, 'He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. 13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.'" 14 So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people. NKJV (NUMBERS 14:13-21)

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:13 WHAT IS THE LORD DETERMINED TO DO?WHY? WHAT DID MOSES, AARON AND SAMUEL DO? READ:PSALMS 99:6 6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called upon His name; They called upon the LORD, and He answered them. WHAT DID ISRAEL ASK SAMUEL TO DO? READ:1 SAMUEL7:8 8So the children of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines." NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:13 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 13"Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. WHAT IS THE LORD DETERMINED TO DO?WHY? READ:LEVITICUS 26:26 26 When I have cut off your supply of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall bring back your bread by weight, and you shall eat and not be satisfied. NKJV READ:ISAIAH 3:1 1Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, Takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah The stock and the store, The whole supply of bread and the whole supply of water; NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:13 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS WHAT IS THE LORD DETERMINED TO DO?WHY? READ:EZEKIEL 4: Moreover He said to me, "Son of man, surely I will cut off the supply of bread in Jerusalem; they shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and shall drink water by measure and with dread, 17 that they may lack bread and water, and be dismayed with one another, and waste away because of their iniquity. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:13 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS WHAT IS THE LORD DETERMINED TO DO?WHY? READ:EZEKIEL 5: When I send against them the terrible arrows of famine which shall be for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, I will increase the famine upon you and cut off your supply of bread. 17 So I will send against you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.'" NKJV READ:EZEKIEL 6:14 14 So I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land desolate, yes, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblah, in all their dwelling places. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.'"'" NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:14 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD. HOW WERE NOAH AND DANIEL AND JOB DELIVERED? READ:PROVERBS 11:4-5 4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. 5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:14 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD. HOW WERE NOAH AND JOB DELIVERED? READ:GENESIS 6:8-9 8 Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. READ:JOB 1:1 1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:14 14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD. WHAT HAPPENED TO DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS? READ:DANIEL 1:1 1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. NKJV READ:DANIEL 1:6-7 6Among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 …. he gave to Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:14 14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD. HOW WERE DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS DELIVERED? READ:DANIEL 2: Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:14 14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD. HOW WERE DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS DELIVERED? WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF THEIR FAITHFULNESS? READ: DANIEL 2: Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:14 WHAT ABOUT THE UN-FAITHFUL? WHAT DID THE LORD SAY TO JEREMIAH?WHY? READ:JEREMIAH 7:16 16 "Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you. NKJV READ:JEREMIAH 11:14 14 “Do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble. NKJV READ:JEREMIAH 14:11 11 The LORD said to me, "Do not pray for this people, for their good.“NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:14 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD. WHAT DID THE LORD SAY TO EZEKIEL? READ:EZEKIEL 3:19 19 If you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. IS THERE A MESSAGE FOR US TODAY? READ:JAMES 5:16 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.NKJV

READ:EZEKIEL 14:15-16 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 15"If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of the beasts, 16even though these three men were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be delivered, and the land would be desolate.

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:15-16 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 15"If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of the beasts, 16even though these three men were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be delivered, and the land would be desolate. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL & JUDAH? WHAT WERE NOAH, DANIEL & JOB UNABLE TO DO?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:15 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 15"If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of the beasts, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL & JUDAH? DID THE LORD WARN THEM ABOUT THIS? READ:LEVITICUS 26:22 22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and make you few in number; and your highways shall be desolate. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:15 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 15"If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of the beasts, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL & JUDAH? READ:EZEKIEL 5:17 17 So I will send against you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.'" NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:16 16even though these three men were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be delivered, and the land would be desolate. WHAT WERE NOAH, DANIEL & JOB UNABLE TO DO? IS THERE A MESSAGE FOR US TODAY?

READ:EZEKIEL 14:17-18 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 17"Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, 'Sword, go through the land,' and I cut off man and beast from it, 18even though these three men were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only they themselves would be delivered.

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:17-18 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 17"Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, 'Sword, go through the land,' and I cut off man and beast from it, 18even though these three men were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only they themselves would be delivered. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL & JUDAH? WHAT WERE NOAH, DANIEL & JOB UNABLE TO DO?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:17 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 17"Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, 'Sword, go through the land,' and I cut off man and beast from it, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL & JUDAH? DID THE LORD WARN THEM ABOUT THIS? READ:LEVITICUS 26:25 25 I will bring a sword against you that will execute the vengeance of the covenant; when you are gathered together within your cities I will send pestilence among you; and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:17 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 17"Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, 'Sword, go through the land,' and I cut off man and beast from it, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL & JUDAH? READ:JEREMIAH 25:27 27 "Therefore you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Drink, be drunk, and vomit! Fall and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you."' NKJV READ:JEREMIAH 42:16 16 Then it shall be that the sword which you feared shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt; the famine of which you were afraid shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there you shall die. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:17 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 17"Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, 'Sword, go through the land,' and I cut off man and beast from it, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL & JUDAH? READ:ZEPHANIAH 1:3 3'I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, The fish of the sea, And the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. I will cut off man from the face of the land,“ Says the LORD. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:18 18even though these three men were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only they themselves would be delivered. WHAT WERE NOAH, DANIEL & JOB UNABLE TO DO? WHY DID THE LORD REMEMBER ABRAHAM & LOT? READ:GENESIS 19:29 29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt. NKJV IS THERE A MESSAGE FOR US TODAY?

READ:EZEKIEL 14:19-20 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 19"Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, 20even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness."

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:19-20 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 19"Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, 20even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness." WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL & JUDAH? WHAT WERE NOAH, DANIEL & JOB UNABLE TO DO? HOW WERE THEY ABLE TO DELIVER THEMSELVES?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:19 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 19"Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL & JUDAH? READ:ISAIAH 34:2-3 2 The indignation of the LORD is against all nations, And His fury against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to the slaughter. 3 Their slain shall be thrown out; Their stench shall rise from their corpses, And the mountains shall be melted with their blood.NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:19 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 19"Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL & JUDAH? READ:JEREMIAH 14:12 12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence." NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:19 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 19"Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL & JUDAH? READ:EZEKIEL 7:8 8 Now upon you I will soon pour out My fury, And spend My anger upon you; I will judge you according to your ways, And I will repay you for all your abominations.

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14: even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness." WHAT WERE NOAH, DANIEL & JOB UNABLE TO DO? HOW WERE THEY ABLE TO DELIVER THEMSELVES? EZEKIEL 14:14 14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD. IS THERE A MESSAGE FOR US TODAY?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14: even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness." WHAT WERE NOAH, DANIEL & JOB UNABLE TO DO? HOW WERE THEY ABLE TO DELIVER THEMSELVES? IS THERE A MESSAGE FOR US TODAY? WHAT DID PETER SAY? READ:ACTS 2:40 40 With many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. KJV

READ:EZEKIEL 14:21 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 21For thus says the Lord GOD: "How much more it shall be when I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem — the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence — to cut off man and beast from it?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:21 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 21For thus says the Lord GOD: "How much more it shall be when I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem — the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence — to cut off man and beast from it? WHAT FOUR JUDGMENTS DID GOD BRING ON THEM? READ:EZEKIEL 5:17 17I will send against you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.'" NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:21 WHAT FOUR JUDGMENTS DID GOD BRING ON THEM? READ:JEREMIAH 14:12 12 …. I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence." NKJV READ:JEREMIAH 15:3 3"And I will appoint over them four forms of destruction," says the LORD: "the sword to slay, the dogs to drag, the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. NKJV READ:JEREMIAH 27:8 8And it shall be, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and which will not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish,' says the LORD, 'with the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand. NKJV

READ:AMOS 4:6-10 6"Also I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities. And lack of bread in all your places; Yet you have not returned to Me,“ Says the LORD. 7 "I also withheld rain from you, When there were still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, And where it did not rain the part withered. 8 So two or three cities wandered to another city to drink water, But they were not satisfied; Yet you have not returned to Me,“ Says the LORD. 9 "I blasted you with blight and mildew. When your gardens increased, Your vineyards, Your fig trees, And your olive trees, The locust devoured them; Yet you have not returned to Me,“ Says the LORD. 10 "I sent among you a plague after the manner of Egypt; Your young men I killed with a sword, Along with your captive horses; I made the stench of your camps come up into your nostrils; Yet you have not returned to Me,“ Says the LORD. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:21 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 21For thus says the Lord GOD: "How much more it shall be when I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem — the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence — to cut off man and beast from it? WHAT FOUR JUDGMENTS DID GOD BRING ON THEM? WHAT DID JOHN SEE? WHAT POWER WAS GIVEN TO THEM? READ:REVELATION 6:8 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. NKJV

READ:EZEKIEL 14:22-23 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 22Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. 23 And they will comfort you, when you see their ways and their doings; and you shall know that I have done nothing without cause that I have done in it," says the Lord GOD. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:22-23 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 22Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. 23 And they will comfort you, when you see their ways and their doings; and you shall know that I have done nothing without cause that I have done in it," says the Lord GOD. NKJV WHO WILL THE LORD SPARE?WHY?

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14: Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. WHO WILL THE LORD SPARE?WHY? READ:JEREMIAH 41:16 16Then Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, took from Mizpah all the rest of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah after he had murdered Gedaliah the son of Ahikam — the mighty men of war and the women and the children and the eunuchs, whom he had brought back from Gibeon. NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14: Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. WHO WILL THE LORD SPARE?WHY? READ:EZEKIEL 12: "Then they shall know that I am the LORD, when I scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. 16 But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go. Then they shall know that I am the LORD." NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:22-23 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 23 And they will comfort you, when you see their ways and their doings; and you shall know that I have done nothing without cause that I have done in it," says the Lord GOD. NKJV WHAT WILL EZEKIEL SEE & KNOW? READ:EZEKIEL 8: And He said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose. 18 Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them." NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:22-23 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 23 And they will comfort you, when you see their ways and their doings; and you shall know that I have done nothing without cause that I have done in it," says the Lord GOD. NKJV WHAT WILL EZEKIEL SEE & KNOW? READ:EZEKIEL 9:9-10 9Then He said to me, "The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, 'The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see!' 10 And as for Me also, My eye will neither spare, nor will I have pity, but I will recompense their deeds on their own head." NKJV

QUESTIONS:EZEKIEL 14:22-23 JUDGMENT ON PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS 23 And they will comfort you, when you see their ways and their doings; and you shall know that I have done nothing without cause that I have done in it," says the Lord GOD. NKJV WHAT WILL THE NATIONS SEE AND KNOW? READ:JEREMIAH 22:8-9 8And many nations will pass by this city; and everyone will say to his neighbor, 'Why has the LORD done so to this great city?' 9 Then they will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshiped other gods and served them.'" NKJV