Ezekiel 9 gives us a graphic picture of God’s judgement which includes both an expression of justice and grace. It parallels the great judgement scene in Revelation 20:11-15. In both scenarios there are people who are exempted from judgement. The judgement scene in Revelation does not tell us why the people whose names were written in the book of life were exempted from judgement (it is implied from the context). But we are told this in Ezekiel’s vision of judgement. The people who were marked out for exemption were not the morally advanced or those who had rendered great acts of service and devotion to God. The people who were marked out for exemption from judgement were simply those who were grieved by the evil in their lives and in the nation. They were not pointing the finger at others in moral indignation, but were owning the sin of the nation and grieving over their share in it. “The sacrifices of God,” says David in Psalm 51, “are a broken spirit and a contrite heart.” This is what we must bring to please God. And this pleases God because when we are grieved by our sin our hearts are aligned with God who likewise grieves over us. Jesus declared that a corrupt tax collector who grieves over his sin is justified before a self-righteous pharisee (Luke 18:9-14). Do you feel devastated by your own sinful actions or attitudes? If you take this grief to Jesus in faith, then you will be accepted with joy.
Confess your sins to God and receive his forgiveness.
Read Ezekiel 9
