Ezekiel 9 -- The Result of Continued Disobedience

Ezekiel heard God call the punishing angels from the north along with the scribe.  They easily entered the city despite its defenses and congregated at the bronze altar in the Temple.  The scribe was told to mark the faithful remnant who were mourning all of the hateful things the inhabitants were doing.  On his heels, God sent the others, telling them to show no pity or mercy, regardless of age or gender, in killing all the rest.  And it was to start at the Temple with the older religious leaders.

Ezekiel bowed face-down on the ground, crying out to God, interceding for the faithful remnant – a mark of a true shepherd, my commentary said.  “The Shekinah glory had moved from the throne to the threshold of the temple in preparation for leaving the temple.”  The time for the destruction of the city was at hand.

“The judgment was coming, not because unbelievers had sinned, but because His own people had disobeyed His law!”  My commentary noted how this had happened with Abraham’s deception in Egypt, with Aaron’s idolatry, with David’s adultery, and with Jonah’s running away.  “Our good works glorify the Lord, but our sins invoke His discipline.”  And here, Jerusalem was about to be destroyed because God’s people failed to obey God’s law.

Father God, You’ve told us many times that when we sin against a flood of light, You will bring judgment.  You’ve given us much and therefore we as believers are rightly held to a higher standard.  Our conduct is supposed to glorify You, and when it doesn’t, we should know that we can expect trouble for dishonoring Your name.  Keep me ever aware of this and wake me up when I’m unaware of what I’m doing to dishonor You.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford