Read Ezekiel 9:1-11
It’s hard to read about God calling for the slaughter of his people. On the other hand, Ezekiel tells us that some were spared by receiving a special mark. Who were those fortunate few? The faithful ones who were true to God despite all the idolatrous living going on around them.
The LORD said to the man dressed in linen, “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city.” Do you ever find yourself overcome with emotion because of what you see happening in the world? Would you be one of those spared because you share the heart of God? Some find it easy to look the other way and call it “tolerance.” Is that the way God wants us to be? This passage would suggest not.
I couldn’t help but think about another time God saved his people when a mass killing took place. The very event God’s people remember as they celebrate Passover each year is another time when God spared his people from the angel of death. The vision Ezekiel saw was entirely different, but the result was the same. God rescued his faithful ones.
The New Testament speaks of another rescue mission wherein God came to earth himself as a human named Jesus. God’s people had continued to stray and seek after idols. The promised Messiah was born to fulfill prophecy and teach his followers how God wants us to live. Jesus ushered in a new covenant relationship wherein we could draw closer to God than ever before.
But that’s the “good news” we rely on. Ezekiel and his contemporaries living in exile could only imagine a world like that. How fortunate we are to be living in this time. Mark 16:16 gives us Jesus’ own words about who God spares and saves. “Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” How do you respond to God’s mercy?
Let’s pray. Thank you God for not giving up on me and sending Jesus to rescue me from sin and death. I trust you with my whole heart. I am greatly saddened by how people ignore you and your purposes in this world. May I glean the wisdom you desire from the visions you shared with Ezekiel today and always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
