Ezekiel 9
-While still in the vision of the LORD within Jerusalem,
Ezekiel hears God cry out in a loud Voice, “Draw near, O executioners of the
city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand (Ezekiel 9:1).” The six men,
whom scholars say were either angels or depictions of the six generals of
Nebuchadnezzar’s army (the Talmud calls them: wrath, anger, fury, destruction, breach, and consumption, see http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/view.cgi?book=eze&chapter=009), came from the direction of the upper
gate that faced north with each having their shattering weapon in hand. Among
them a seventh individual was present in either angelic man form, or possibly a
Theophany of Jesus, who was clothed in linen with a writing case at his loins
(Ezekiel 9:2, Revelation 15:6). The glory of the LORD at this point went up
from the cherub, where He been, to the threshold of the Temple and He called
the man clothed in linen to Him. This one clothed in linen was asked to go
through the city and mark the foreheads of everyone mourning, groaning, and
sighing over the abominations being committed in their midst. For everyone else
not marked by the man in linen, God told the avengers to go through the city
and strike without pity or sparing. Old men, young men, maidens, little
children, and women who did not receive the mark of salvation were obliterated
starting at the LORD’s sanctuary with the elders who were worshipping idols
before the Temple (Ezekiel 9:3-6, Revelation 7:3). *Application* This fulfills
all Scriptural expectation which is rightly placed on spiritual leadership.
Judgment always begins at the house of God (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18,
Luke 19:45-48, John 2:13-25, 1 Peter 4:17).
-From there,
after they defiled the Temple and filled its courts with the slain, the men
were commanded to “Go out!” Therefore, they went out in complete obedience to
the command to strike down the people of the city without the mark of
repentance and forgiveness. Ezekiel, finding himself alone in the malaise,
cries out to the God of mercy on behalf of the remnant of the people of Israel.
God’s response is unyielding but wise, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and
Judah is very, very great, and the land is filled with blood and the city is
full of perversion; for they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD
does not see (Ezekiel 9:7-9).’” The LORD goes on to say that He has definitely
come to the end of His patience in putting up with their garbage. His eye will,
at this point of no return, have no pity nor will He spare the idolaters for
their unrepentant depravity. He will bring their evil conduct upon their own
heads. The last verse of the chapter concludes with the man clothed in linen at
whose loins was the writing case (possibly a reference to the Lamb’s Book of
Life, Psalm 69:28, Philippians 4:3, Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15;
21:27) reporting that he had done just as the Commander had ordered (Ezekiel
9:10-11).
-*Application*
God’s mercy has its limits when we refuse to turn back to Him. When God is done
and His patience runs out, He takes swift and decisive action that nothing can
stand against. This is the attribute of God pertaining to His justice. This is
why the Scripture repeatedly commands us to “fear” the LORD and give Him all
the respect and awe He deserves. No-one can defy Him forever. He, not Muhammad
Ali, is the GREATEST!
Verse to Memorize:
Ezekiel 9:9
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