EZEKIEL LESSON 9
We will begin in Ezekiel 9:1 "He cried also in mine ears with a
loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw
near, even every man [with] his destroying weapon in his hand."
In the last lesson, God had gone into detail with Ezekiel, to
make him fully understand why He judged Jerusalem and Judah. He gave
over-abundant proof that they were guilty of the worst kind of sin.
This cry is against Israel, and specifically, Judah and Jerusalem. It
appears, these that have charge over the city are superhuman beings
under the direct orders of God. These could be angels that God had
stationed to protect His holy city. Now, they are set to destroy.
These are similar to the angels in Revelation, that bring woe upon the
sinful earth at the direction of God.
Ezekiel 9:2 "And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher
gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon
in his hand; and one man among them [was] clothed with linen, with a
writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the
brasen altar."
There are many symbols in this verse. The number 6 is the number
of man, or mankind. This judgement then, is against man. The way of
the higher gate to the north has to do with God. "Linen" symbolizes
the righteousness of Christ. The "brazen altar" is the altar of
judgement. This writer's inkhorn has the power {horn} to mark and
save the repentant. God will mark His remnant here.
Ezekiel 9:3 "And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from
the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he
called to the man clothed with linen, which [had] the writer's inkhorn
by his side;"
The glory of the God of Israel rose from His throne over the
cherub. God, Himself, is directing this one dressed in linen. It is
God who knows who is to be marked, and who is not. God knows the heart
of man. He, also, knows whose names are written in the book of life.
Just as the Hebrews in Egypt, whose doors were covered with the blood
of the lamb, were saved, God will separate the judgement here. This is
last minute instructions from God.
Ezekiel 9:4 "And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of
the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the
foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations
that be done in the midst thereof."
These are that remnant who have not bowed their knee to these
false gods. They are saddened by the things going on. They love God,
and Him alone. They have not been involved in this sensuous worship of
false gods. They are very similar to the 144,000 that are sealed in
Revelation. Revelation 7:2 "And 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 given to hurt the earth and
the sea," Revelation 7:3 "Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea,
nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their
foreheads." Revelation 7:4 "And I heard the number of them which were
sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four
thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel." God always has
a remnant, who have not worshipped false gods. God protects those who
worship Him in Truth.
Ezekiel 9:5 "And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye
after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither
have ye pity:"
All of those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads,
were to be utterly destroyed. The others, with their weapon drawn,
were to follow the one with the seal. They destroyed all who were not
sealed.
Ezekiel 9:6 "Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little
children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom [is] the
mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men
which [were] before the house."
This seems cruel, but it is really God wiping out those
unfaithful. The children were killed, also, so the next generation
would not worship false gods. This was a beginning again, as God did
with Noah and his family. The ancient men before the houses had been
involved in this worship of false gods, also. Judgement begins at the
house of God. This was no exception. I Peter 4:17 "For the time [is
come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first
[begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the
gospel of God?"
Ezekiel 9:7 "And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill
the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew
in the city."
Remember, this is a vision. This really does occur, when the
temple and the people in it are destroyed. Their dead bodies were left
lying everywhere. They were not even buried. Their bones were
scattered on the altars of their false gods. The house was defiled by
the worship of the false gods. Now, God does not even regard this
house as holy. He wants it destroyed along with the worshippers of the
false gods. The city, here, is Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 9:8 "And it came to pass, while they were slaying them,
and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord
GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of
thy fury upon Jerusalem?"
In this vision, Ezekiel sees that he is not killed. He falls on
his face before God in humble adoration of Almighty God. In the
vision, Ezekiel cries out, thinking God is going to destroy them all.
He asks God, if He will spare anyone?
Ezekiel 9:9 "Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of
Israel and Judah [is] exceeding great, and the land is full of blood,
and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath
forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not."
God answers Ezekiel, by telling him why He is destroying them.
"Perverseness", here, is iniquity of the worst sort. They are evil,
the hearts within them are evil. They kill, lie, and cheat. They are
even unfaithful to the God who created them. This iniquity is so
great, that God must judge them. There comes a time when God will wait
no longer for them to repent. This is that time for them.
Ezekiel 9:10 "And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare,
neither will I have pity, [but] I will recompense their way upon their
head."
What you sow, you will reap. They have sinned so greatly, that
God will have no pity on them. Judgement day is here. The wrath of God
is poured out upon them. He will not stop, until everyone has paid
their wages for their sin.
Ezekiel 9:11 "And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which
[had] the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have
done as thou hast commanded me."
This man clothed in linen is like all other beings upon the
earth, and in heaven, and under the earth. He is subject to God. He
reports back, that he has done as God requested him to do. If the 6
were angels, then this being is an archangel.
Ezekiel 9 Questions
1. What does God do to Ezekiel in verse 1.
2. Who are these that have charge over the city?
3. Who are these that have charge over the city like, in Revelation?
4. How many came from the way of the higher gate?
5. What did they have in their hands?
6. What does "linen" symbolize?
7. The "brazen altar" is the altar of __________.
8. What does the writer's inkhorn have power to do?
9. Where had the glory of the God of Israel been?
10. Who is directing the one dressed in linen?
11. What was this one with the inkhorn to do?
12. What made them different from the other Israelites?
13. Who are these that are to be marked in their foreheads similar to,
in the book of Revelation?
14. What were the others to do?
15. Who were they to slay?
16. Where did they begin with their destruction?
17. This beginning again was similar to ________.
18. Where were the dead bodies left?
19. Quote 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 17.
20. What did Ezekiel do, when he found he was left?
21. What question does he ask God?
22. What is "perverseness" in verse 9?
23. What you sow, you will _______.
24. When will He stop?
25. When the man in linen finished marking, what did he do?
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