UNROLL
First light in a narrow stepped lane of flat-roofed stone houses, every door shut but one, which stands a little open with lamplight inside.

The glory departs

Ezekiel 9

Do the things that break God’s heart break yours?

11 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

  1. 1–3Visions of gloryBy the Kebar, about 593 BC: the throne, the scroll, the watchman
  2. 4–7Signs of the siegeA brick, a ration, a razor: the end has come
  3. 8–11The glory departsAbout 592 BC: the temple’s abominations, the mark, the glory goes eastChapter 9
  4. 12–15False hopesExile acted out, false prophets, a useless vine
  5. 16–19Parables and lamentsAn unfaithful bride, two eagles, the one who sins
  6. 20–24The sword drawnRebellion retold; the siege begins, about 588 BC
  7. 25–32The nations judgedAmmon to Egypt: the LORD is Judge of all the earth
  8. 33–36A new heartThe city falls; the Good Shepherd; cleansed and made new
  9. 37–39Dry bones liveOne people raised up, and Gog of Magog defeated
  10. 40–48The LORD is thereAbout 573 BC: the new temple, the river, the land

Execution of the Idolaters

Ezekiel
Close by a great bronze-faced altar at gray dawn: a long white linen sash, and hanging from it a narrow wooden scribe’s case with reed pens and a small ink pot; the rest of the man out of frame.

Then I heard Him call out in a loud voice, saying, “Draw near, O executioners of the city, each with a weapon of destruction in hand.”

And I saw six men coming from the direction of the Upper Gate, which faces north, each with a weapon of slaughter in his hand. With them was another man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. And they came in and stood beside the bronze altar.

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Ezekiel
The porch and great doors of a temple seen from its court at dawn: a brilliant white-gold light has moved out of the dark interior and rests on the stone threshold, spilling over the steps.

Then the glory of the God of Israel rose from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side.

God
Early morning in a stepped stone lane: a tall man in a white linen robe, seen from behind, walks toward a doorway where an old man and his wife sit on the step, heads bowed in grief.

“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.”

God

And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.

God

Then He told them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go forth!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city.

Question

Quick question

Look again at the LORD’s command to the man in linen.

Whom did the man in linen mark?

Ezekiel
The wide empty stone paving of a temple court under a heavy gray sky, and a lone man seen from behind and above, lying facedown with his arms stretched out before him.

While they were killing, I was left alone. And I fell facedown and cried out, “Oh, Lord GOD, when You pour out Your wrath on Jerusalem, will You destroy the entire remnant of Israel?”

God

He replied, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of bloodshed, and the city is full of perversity. For they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land; the LORD does not see.’ But as for Me, I will not look on them with pity, nor will I spare them. I will bring their deeds down upon their own heads.”

Ezekiel
Close on a temple’s stone threshold in calm light: a narrow wooden scribe’s case with its reed pens laid down on the step, closed, brightness falling on it from above.

Then the man clothed in linen with the writing kit at his side reported back, “I have done as You commanded.”

0:07

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Pray

Pray

Lord GOD, make me one who sighs and groans over what grieves You, and not one who grows used to it. Seal me as Yours, and have mercy on Your people. Amen.

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Ezekiel 9

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A verse to carry with you

“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.”

Ezekiel 9:4

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