Ezekiel 9
BSB1 Then I heard Him call out in a loud voice, saying, “Draw near, O executioners of the city, each with a weapon of destruction in hand." 2 And I saw six men coming from the direction of the Upper Gate, which faces north, each with a weapon of slaughter in his hand. With them was another man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. And they came in and stood beside the bronze altar. 3 Then the glory of the God of Israel rose from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side. 4 “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there." 5 And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! 6 Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. 7 Then He told them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go forth!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city. 8 While they were killing, I was left alone. And I fell facedown and cried out, “Oh, Lord GOD, when You pour out Your wrath on Jerusalem, will You destroy the entire remnant of Israel?" 9 He replied, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of bloodshed, and the city is full of perversity. For they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land; the LORD does not see.’ 10 But as for Me, I will not look on them with pity, nor will I spare them. I will bring their deeds down upon their own heads." 11 Then the man clothed in linen with the writing kit at his side reported back, “I have done as You commanded."
Study Notes — Ezekiel 9
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Ezekiel 9
- Themes from Ezekiel 9
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Ezekiel 9
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The chapter begins with Ezekiel seeing six men and a seventh man clothed in linen, each with a slaughtering weapon in his hand, and they are instructed to go through the city and mark the foreheads of those who sigh and groan over all the detestable things being done in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 9:4). The other six men are then told to follow the man in linen and kill anyone who does not have the mark on their forehead, without showing pity or compassion (Ezekiel 9:5-6). The chapter proceeds with the execution of this command, resulting in the killing of those who did not have the mark, including the leaders and elders of the people (Ezekiel 9:7-8). Ezekiel then intercedes for the people, questioning whether God will utterly destroy the remnant of Israel (Ezekiel 9:8), to which God responds by emphasizing the people's wickedness and His decision to bring judgment upon them (Ezekiel 9:9-10). The man clothed in linen reports back to God that he has completed the task of marking those to be spared (Ezekiel 9:11).
Context for the Chapter
Ezekiel chapter 9 is part of a larger section in the book of Ezekiel that describes the prophet's visions of God's judgment on Jerusalem and the surrounding nations. This chapter fits within the narrative of Ezekiel's call to prophesy against Jerusalem and the temple, emphasizing God's judgment on sin and His preservation of the faithful. The chapter also connects to the broader biblical narrative, where God's judgment and salvation are prominent themes, ultimately pointing to the redemption through Jesus Christ.
Heart Application
The chapter encourages believers to examine their hearts and lives, acknowledging and repenting of sin, and to trust in God's mercy and justice. It reminds us of the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God, marked by a deep sorrow over sin and a commitment to following Him. As we reflect on this chapter, we are called to consider our own spiritual state and to seek God's forgiveness and preservation.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Ezekiel chapter 9 is about God's judgment on Jerusalem and His preservation of the righteous. The chapter describes how God marked those who were faithful so they would be spared from destruction, illustrating God's mercy and justice. As we read this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God and trusting in His preservation, as seen in Ezekiel 9:4 and Ezekiel 9:11.
Voices from the Church
“The Lord knows them that are His, and He will preserve them in the midst of judgment, just as He marked the righteous in Jerusalem to spare them from destruction.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The slaughter of the unmarked in Ezekiel 9 signifies the severity of God's judgment on those who refuse to repent and turn to Him, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's mercy and forgiveness.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction to the Judgment (Ezekiel 9:1-2) — The chapter begins with Ezekiel's vision of six men and a seventh man clothed in linen, who are instructed to carry out God's judgment on Jerusalem.
- The Marking of the Righteous (Ezekiel 9:3-4) — The man clothed in linen is told to mark the foreheads of those who sigh and groan over the abominations in Jerusalem, signifying God's preservation of the faithful.
- The Execution of Judgment (Ezekiel 9:5-7) — The six men are instructed to slaughter those who do not have the mark on their foreheads, resulting in the killing of the leaders and elders of the people.
- Ezekiel's Intercession and God's Response (Ezekiel 9:8-10) — Ezekiel intercedes for the people, questioning whether God will utterly destroy the remnant of Israel, to which God responds by emphasizing the people's wickedness and His decision to bring judgment upon them.
- Conclusion and Report (Ezekiel 9:11) — The man clothed in linen reports back to God that he has completed the task of marking those to be spared, concluding the chapter.
Core Doctrines
- God's Holiness
- The chapter highlights God's holiness and justice as He judges the wicked and preserves the righteous, demonstrating His character as a God of both justice and mercy.
- The Importance of Repentance
- The marking of those who sigh and groan over the abominations in Jerusalem emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and repenting of sin, reflecting a heart that is sensitive to God's holiness.
- The Preservation of a Remnant
- The chapter illustrates God's desire to preserve a remnant of the righteous, which is a theme throughout the Bible and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
- God's Sovereignty
- The chapter demonstrates God's sovereignty over all things, including His judgment and preservation, emphasizing His right to judge and save as He sees fit.
Lessons from Ezekiel 9
- The Importance of Spiritual Discernment — The chapter teaches us the importance of spiritual discernment and mourning over sin, reflecting a heart that is sensitive to God's holiness.
- God's Justice and Mercy — The chapter illustrates God's justice and mercy, demonstrating His character as a God of both justice and mercy.
- The Preservation of the Righteous — The chapter shows us God's desire to preserve a remnant of the righteous, which is a theme throughout the Bible and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
- The Severity of God's Judgment — The chapter emphasizes the severity of God's judgment on those who refuse to repent and turn to Him, underscoring the importance of seeking God's mercy and forgiveness.
- The Role of Intercession — The chapter highlights the role of intercession, as seen in Ezekiel's prayer for the people, demonstrating the importance of praying for others and seeking God's mercy on their behalf.
Themes from Ezekiel 9
- Judgment and Preservation — The chapter explores the themes of God's judgment and preservation, highlighting His holiness and justice.
- The Importance of Repentance — The chapter emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and repenting of sin, reflecting a heart that is sensitive to God's holiness.
- God's Sovereignty — The chapter demonstrates God's sovereignty over all things, including His judgment and preservation, emphasizing His right to judge and save as He sees fit.
- The Role of the Prophet — The chapter highlights the role of the prophet, as seen in Ezekiel's intercession for the people and his reception of God's visions and instructions.
- The Hope of Redemption — The chapter points to the greater theme of redemption in the Bible, giving us hope as believers in God's ultimate plan to save and preserve His people.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the marking of the foreheads in Ezekiel 9 signify, and how does it relate to our lives as believers?
- How does the chapter illustrate God's holiness and justice, and what lessons can we learn from this about living a life that is pleasing to God?
- What is the significance of Ezekiel's intercession for the people in Ezekiel 9:8, and how does it reflect his role as a prophet?
- How does the preservation of a remnant in Ezekiel 9 point to the greater theme of redemption in the Bible, and what hope does this give us as believers?
- What are some ways that we can apply the lessons from Ezekiel 9 to our own lives, particularly in terms of mourning over sin and seeking God's preservation?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction to the Judgment (Ezekiel 9:1-2)
| Ezekiel 9:1 | The chapter begins with Ezekiel's vision of six men and a seventh man clothed in linen, who are instructed to carry out God's judgment on Jerusalem. |
| Ezekiel 9:2 | The six men are described as having slaughtering weapons in their hands, emphasizing the severity of God's judgment. |
2. The Marking of the Righteous (Ezekiel 9:3-4)
| Ezekiel 9:3 | The man clothed in linen is instructed to go to the altar and receive coals to scatter over the city, symbolizing God's judgment. |
| Ezekiel 9:4 | The man clothed in linen is told to mark the foreheads of those who sigh and groan over the abominations in Jerusalem, signifying God's preservation of the faithful. |
3. The Execution of Judgment (Ezekiel 9:5-7)
| Ezekiel 9:5 | The six men are instructed to slaughter those who do not have the mark on their foreheads, resulting in the killing of the leaders and elders of the people. |
| Ezekiel 9:6 | The men are told to start with the elders and leaders, emphasizing the severity of God's judgment on those who are responsible for the people's spiritual condition. |
| Ezekiel 9:7 | The Lord instructs the men to defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain, highlighting the extent of God's judgment on Jerusalem. |
4. Ezekiel's Intercession and God's Response (Ezekiel 9:8-10)
| Ezekiel 9:8 | Ezekiel intercedes for the people, questioning whether God will utterly destroy the remnant of Israel. |
| Ezekiel 9:9 | God responds by emphasizing the people's wickedness and His decision to bring judgment upon them. |
| Ezekiel 9:10 | God declares that His eye will not spare, nor will He have pity, emphasizing the severity of His judgment. |
5. Conclusion and Report (Ezekiel 9:11)
| Ezekiel 9:11 | The man clothed in linen reports back to God that he has completed the task of marking those to be spared, concluding the chapter. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the mark on the foreheads in Ezekiel 9?
The mark signifies God's preservation of the righteous, as seen in Ezekiel 9:4, and is a symbol of His mercy and justice.
Why does God instruct the men to start with the elders and leaders in Ezekiel 9:6?
God instructs the men to start with the elders and leaders because they are responsible for the people's spiritual condition, and their actions have contributed to the wickedness in Jerusalem, as mentioned in Ezekiel 9:9.
What is the role of Ezekiel's intercession in Ezekiel 9:8?
Ezekiel's intercession demonstrates his compassion for the people and his desire to see God's mercy, but it also highlights God's sovereignty and justice, as seen in Ezekiel 9:9-10.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 9:4 → Revelation 7:3 | The marking of the foreheads in Ezekiel 9:4 is reminiscent of the sealing of the 144,000 in Revelation 7:3, highlighting God's preservation of the righteous. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 9:6 → Matthew 24:22 | The slaughter of those without the mark in Ezekiel 9:6 foreshadows the judgment that will come upon those who do not endure to the end, as mentioned in Matthew 24:22. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 9:9 → Romans 2:5 | The emphasis on God's judgment in Ezekiel 9:9 is echoed in Romans 2:5, which describes the wrath of God being revealed against all ungodliness. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 9:11 → Hebrews 12:14 | The reporting back to God in Ezekiel 9:11 is similar to the concept of giving an account to God in Hebrews 12:14, emphasizing the importance of living a life that is pleasing to Him. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 9:1 → Isaiah 13:1 | The vision of the six men and the seventh man in Ezekiel 9:1 is reminiscent of the prophetic visions in Isaiah, such as the oracle against Babylon in Isaiah 13:1. |
| 6 | Ezekiel 9:4 → Exodus 12:13 | The marking of the foreheads in Ezekiel 9:4 is similar to the marking of the doorposts with the blood of the paschal lamb in Exodus 12:13, signifying God's preservation of the righteous. |
| 7 | Ezekiel 9:6 → Deuteronomy 28:63 | The slaughter of those without the mark in Ezekiel 9:6 is similar to the judgment described in Deuteronomy 28:63, which warns of the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 9:9 → Psalm 37:28 | The emphasis on God's judgment in Ezekiel 9:9 is echoed in Psalm 37:28, which describes the Lord's care for the righteous and His judgment on the wicked. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 9:11 → 1 Peter 4:5 | The reporting back to God in Ezekiel 9:11 is similar to the concept of giving an account to God in 1 Peter 4:5, emphasizing the importance of living a life that is pleasing to Him. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 9:1 → Jeremiah 25:29 | The vision of the six men and the seventh man in Ezekiel 9:1 is reminiscent of the prophetic visions in Jeremiah, such as the oracle against the nations in Jeremiah 25:29. |
Sermons on Ezekiel 9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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God's Heart for America by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker challenges the audience to take action and not be complacent in the state of the nation. He criticizes churches that make it easy for people to attend w |
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Doctrine of the Remnant - Part 1 by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher begins by praying for mercy upon America and for people to turn away from idols and serve God. He emphasizes the importance of not just worshiping God |
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Passing Under the Rod by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the urgency of the last days and the impending wrath of God. He highlights the image of a trumpet sounding and preparations being made for b |
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Freedom From Denominationalism by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking God's truth and total freedom from anything that binds us. He encourages humility, servanthood, and having a father |
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The Glory of God and the Image of Jealousy by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher warns the congregation about the dangers of turning away from God and indulging in sinful behavior. He emphasizes that those who take pleasure in wicke |
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The Touch of God - Slovakia Conference 2003 (Slovakian/english) by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being a man of prayer and brokenness. He shares his own journey of spiritual laziness and how he had to make a decision to |
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(Through the Bible) Ezekiel 6-10 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the difficulty of describing heavenly things in human language. He uses the example of Ezekiel's vision of heavenly beings with four faces to |
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Church History - Session 8 (The Book of Revelation) by Edgar F. Parkyns | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Revelation 13 and the rise of the beast from the sea. The beast is described as having seven heads and ten horns, with the dragon giving it |
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Sodom and Gomorrah by Bill Randles | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Abram and the three men who visit him. Abram shows great hospitality and offers them food and rest. The preacher emphasizes the |
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(Timeless Doctrines) Revelation's Timeless Doctrines - Part 4 by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preparing oneself to face persecution and potential martyrdom for the sake of their faith in God. He urges the audience to |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Ezekiel 9
In Ezekiel 9, we see the Lord's judgment on Jerusalem, as He instructs the six men to slaughter those who do not have the mark on their foreheads. This chapter teaches us about God's holiness and justice, as well as the importance of mourning over sin and seeking God's preservation. The marking of the foreheads signifies God's mercy and justice, and the slaughter of those without the mark emphasizes the severity of God's judgment. As Matthew Henry notes, this chapter is a call to repentance and a reminder of God's sovereignty over all things. We are encouraged to examine our hearts and lives, acknowledging and repenting of sin, and to trust in God's mercy and justice. The chapter ultimately points to the hope of redemption in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate preserver and Savior of His people, as seen in John 10:28 and Revelation 7:3. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
God's Holiness and Justice
The chapter highlights God's holiness and justice as He judges the wicked and preserves the righteous, demonstrating His character as a God of both justice and mercy.
The Importance of Mourning Over Sin
The marking of those who sigh and groan over the abominations in Jerusalem emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and repenting of sin, reflecting a heart that is sensitive to God's holiness.
The Preservation of a Remnant
The chapter illustrates God's desire to preserve a remnant of the righteous, which is a theme throughout the Bible and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.