Ezekiel chapter 9: verse 11 (NIV)
Then the man in linen with the writing kit at his side brought back word, saying, “I have done as you commanded.”
The chapters leading up to this verse make grim reading as the extent of the people’s sins, especially those in leadership and authority, are revealed by God to Ezekiel. Ezekiel mourns and pleads to God on their behalf, and the man with the writing kit was called to put a mark on those who, like Ezekiel mourned and repented of the things that were happening. The man came back and reported that he had done as God had commanded.
The thing that struck me about this verse and the preceding ones in chapter 9 was this. God expects the same obedience from us, even if we find the thing that He has asked us to do is very difficult. Also, as Christians we need to pray for those in authority and those round about us who show no regard for the ways of God and the things that they are doing. We are told to do so, and as Christians this is our responsibility. Interestingly, in his own thoughts on today’s reading, Nicky Gumbel explained the significance of the mark described in this chapter of Ezekiel. Apparently, the Hebrew word for the word “mark” is the word “Tav” which at that time would have been written by an ‘X”. As Nicky explains, those spared the judgement of God in Ezekiel were marked by a cross – surely a symbol of the work of Christ that was to come. Thus, those of us who have accepted the redemptive work of the cross surely have a responsibility to pray as those in Ezekiel’s time so that others can come to that same place of mercy and forgiveness, in order to be rescued from the just judgement that is to come.
Dear Lord,
Even in the hardest of tasks, we see how Ezekiel and others were obedient to Your commands. Help me to do the same and also not to neglect the need to pray for this land, and those in authority, that they too might accept the redemption that Jesus paid for. I ask in His Name. Amen.