The Glory of the LORD

~ Ezekiel Chapter Nine ~

"And He called to the man clothed with linen,

who had the writer's inkhorn at his side;

and the LORD said to him,

"Go through the midst of the city,

through the midst of Jerusalem,

and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry

over all the abominations that are done within it."

(Ezekiel 9:3b-4)

TABERNACLE TUESDAY MORNING MEDITATION:

Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 9:1-11

In the previous chapter, we saw how Ezekiel was carried in visions of God to Jerusalem to observe the abominations taking place within the temple. In this chapter, the prophet heard the Lord calling in a loud voice, summoning the six angels who were given charge over the city. Each of the guardians were armed with a battle ax by which they would execute God's judgment. But there was "one man among them" who was "clothed with linen and had a writer's inkhorn at his side" (v. 2b). The Lord sent a scribe angel, clothed in the priestly linen garments and wearing the writer's inkhorn - the saving weapon of the Lord, to put His distinguishing mark upon the foreheads of the righteous remnant, so they would not be destroyed. In wrath the Lord remembered mercy (Habakkuk 3:2). "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it" (Ezekiel 9:4).

The Lord dispatched His angelic army to carry out His judgment upon the defiled city, just as He will also do during the tribulation period. "Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth" (Revelation 16:1). But before the Lord's mighty arm is laid bare for judgment, He gathers His elect to the place of safety; for it is characteristic of the Lord to deliver true believers before pouring out His judgment on the ungodly. He did not send the flood to destroy the world until Noah and his family were safe in the ark (Genesis 6:13-7:24); and again, before the tenth plague fell upon Pharaoh's house and all of Egypt, He instructed His people to put the blood of the paschal lamb on the two doorposts and lintel of their homes, making the sign of the cross, so the death angel would pass over them (Exodus 12:7). "Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt" (Exodus 12:13). This pictures the ultimate saving mark that would come through personal faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7). "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Romans 5:9). When the Lord comes to destroy the earth, those who bear the covenant seal - who wear the mark of the blood of Christ upon the soul - will first be caught up into the air to be with Him and kept from the day of wrath (1 Thessalonians 4:17). "Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:13b, 14). In the time of judgment, the Lord carefully preserves His own.

"Then I saw another angel ascending from the east,

having the seal of the living God.

And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels

to whom it was granted to harm the earth and sea,

saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees

till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."

And I heard the number of those who were sealed.

One hundred and forty-four thousand

of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed"

(Revelation 7:2-4).

Ezekiel watched as the scribe angel marked the foreheads of those who were greatly distressed over the sins of the people, who were weeping over the ruin, and crying out to God in prayer. The distinguishing mark that these mourners were given was the "tau," the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which looks like an "x" or the mark of the cross. Once this faithful remnant was marked by God, and were set apart and protected, Ezekiel witnessed as destruction came upon the elders in the temple. Judgment began first with those corrupt spiritual leaders in the house of the Lord who had disobeyed His law and led the nation into idolatry and immorality. "...but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary" So they began with the elders who were before the temple (v. 6b). When Ezekiel saw how thorough the slaying work of the destroying angels was, he fell on his face and cried, "Ah, Lord GOD! Will You destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem?" (v. 8b). Ezekiel lamented over the ruin of his people, and he pleaded with the Lord. But the people had persisted in their rebellion long enough, and the fate of the wicked was sealed. The time of judgment had finally come, and it would be inescapable. May this chapter cause a deep searching of our own hearts - for judgment begins at the house of God - it first begins with us. "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17). Let us ask ourselves today if we bear the same character as those who were marked by the scribe angel - as those who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within our nation - within the church - within our own hearts? Can we honestly say we have a hatred for sin and a love for the lost sinner who is facing destruction? In wrath the Lord remembers mercy; He faithfully preserves a remnant in each generation who will mourn and grieve over sin and corruption, and who will fervently fast and pray and intercede for the body of Christ to be salt and light in the midst of this dark and decaying world. May His sacred mark be upon our foreheads and within our hearts, HOLINESS TO THE LORD (Exodus 28:36), as we pray for purity in the church. "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

"Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal:

"The LORD knows those who are His," and,

"Let everyone who names the name of the Christ depart from iniquity."

(2 Timothy 2:19)

EVENING PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,

"I will love You, O LORD, my strength.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;

my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

(Psalm 18:1, 2)

Lord, You have called us "a chosen people,

a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

a people belonging to God, that we may declare

the praises of Him who called us out of darkness

into Your wonderful light"

(1 Peter 2:9)

Help us to live lives in purity and holiness

as Your holy temple in whom Your Holy Spirit dwells.

You have given us this divine Occupant as a gift

to produce in us a holy life.

We have been washed in Your blood, Lord Jesus,

our Savior and Redeemer,

may we remain at the Fountain -

and so be washed and cleansed every day that we may not defile

Your holy temple or diminish Your glory in any way -

for You are our Source of eternal joy.

"If we walk in the light as You are in the light,

we have fellowship with one another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son

cleanses us from all sin"

(1 John 1:7)

"With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;

with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;

with the pure You will show Yourself pure;

and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.

For You will save the humble people,

but will bring down haughty looks.

For You will light my lamp;

the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

For by You I can run against a troop,

by my God I can leap over a wall.

As for God, His way is perfect;

the word of the LORD is proven;

He is a shield to all who trust in Him"

(Psalm 18:25-30)

"Oh, send forth Your light and Your truth!

Let them lead me,

let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.

Then I will go to the altar of God,

to God my exceeding joy;

and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God."

(Psalm 43:2-4)

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

let Your glory be above all the earth."

(Psalm 57:11)

In Your holy, worthy, and wonderful name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

The Glory of the LORD ~ The Book of Ezekiel

copyright (c) 2022 Traci A. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright (c) 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.