Ezekiel Nine
by Dr. Henry M. Morris
(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)
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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.
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 brazen altar.
six men. These men were evidently angels appearing in the form of men.
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;
gone up. In vision, Ezekiel here sees the presence of God beginning to depart from Israel, first of all leaving His place between the golden cherubim over the ark in the temple, to go to the threshold of the house. Next He would leave the threshold, then the temple and the city (Ezekiel 10:18; 11:23).
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.
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:
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.
the mark. The “mark upon the foreheads” (Ezekiel 9:4) is evidently similar to the future angelic seal which will be placed on “the servants of our God in their foreheads” (Revelation 7:3) during the coming period of great tribulation. These faithful Jews were to be supernaturally protected from slaughter in God's terrible judgment on Israel's apostasy.
begin at my sanctuary. A comprehensive principle of divine judgment is that “unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). “Judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17). “Be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1). The people of Israel and Judah had been led into apostasy by their leaders, including especially false prophets and worldly priests.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
