Ezekiel

Ezekiel 9: God begins judgment at His sanctuary

Begin in prayer

Before this vision of judgment at God's sanctuary, let us come with reverence to Him. Ask God to quiet our thoughts, meet with this household and open our eyes to Christ in Ezekiel 9.

I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against the perjurers, and against those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and who deprive the foreigner of justice, and don’t fear me,” says Yahweh of Armies.

Malachi 3:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to hear Your warning and see Jesus as the refuge sinners need. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Armed men and a man clothed in linen stand beside the bronze altar as God's glory moves to the house's threshold. The LORD sends the man with the inkhorn to mark those who grieve over Jerusalem's abominations. The others must kill without pity, beginning at the sanctuary, but spare everyone with the mark. Old and young, women and little children are included in the command. Ezekiel falls down and pleads about Israel's remnant, and God answers by naming its bloodshed and perversion. The man clothed in linen reports that he has done what God commanded.

As you read Ezekiel 9, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God begins judgment at His sanctuary while sparing those who mourn over sin.

Judgment begins at God's sanctuary because the preceding vision exposed abominations in the place appointed for His worship. Being close to the house therefore cannot protect those who profane it. God distinguishes people by their response to these abominations, marking those who sigh and cry over them. Their grief opposes the evil around them, while the people facing judgment claim that the LORD has forsaken the land and does not see. His command to spare every marked person shows that He sees this difference and governs who is protected. The land's bloodshed and perversion explain His answer to Ezekiel's plea about the remnant. He will return their ways upon their heads, so the punishment answers the wrong they have done. The man's report of obedience ends the vision with God's commands carried out, including His protection of those He marked.

How does Ezekiel 9 show us that God begins judgment at His sanctuary while sparing those who mourn over sin?

God knows those who mourn over sin.

God sends the man clothed in linen to mark people who sigh and cry over Jerusalem's abominations (verses 2 to 4). Their grief is known to Him. The destroyers must not approach anyone who bears that mark.

God begins judgment at His own sanctuary.

God commands killing to begin at His sanctuary, and the men start with the old men there (verses 5 to 7). His courts become filled with the slain. Being near His house gives no shelter to rebellion.

God answers the cry with the truth about sin.

Ezekiel falls on his face and asks about the remnant of Israel (verses 8 to 11). God answers by naming its great iniquity. He will bring their ways on their heads, and His servant reports that His command is done.

Memorize

As for me also, my eye won’t spare, neither will I have pity, but I will bring their way on their head.

Ezekiel 9:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin do I accept without grieving, and will I ask Jesus to change me?

God commands, “Begin at my sanctuary.” Those nearest the house must face the judgment their rebellion deserves. Yet God also knows the people who grieve over sin and marks them to be spared. We need His mercy as we face our own guilt.

Jesus bore the punishment due to His people when He gave His life on the cross. He completed the work of saving them, and His offering is fully sufficient to bring them to God. Death did not keep Him, for He rose again. Through the crucified and risen Savior, guilty people may find refuge.

Turn from your sin and trust Jesus, who forgives everyone who comes to Him. He will not reject any sinner who turns to Him. Please ask Him to change your heart so that you grieve over what dishonors God. Bring that grief to the Savior who died to reconcile His people to the holy Lord.

Parent's note

Tell your children soberly that God's command includes the deaths of little children, as well as adults, while marked people are spared. Christ died and rose to save sinners. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His holy judgment and distinguishing mercy, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you don’t receive of her plagues,

Revelation 18:4

Holy Lord, thank You for showing mercy to people who need rescue from judgment. Forgive our sin and our careless acceptance of evil, and help each one repent and trust Jesus. Please teach us to grieve over what dishonors You and bring our sorrow to You in prayer. Amen.