Marked on the Forehead

In the book of Ezekiel, the Lord basically transported Ezekiel into the spiritual realm to allow him to see what was going on spiritually at that very time. There were many people in this particular area that blatantly disregarded God and committed detestable sins. The Lord said it was nothing for these people to do such abominable acts, and so therefore had provoked His anger.

The Lord called for and appointed six men to punish the city. They each carried a deadly weapon in their hand. There was a separate seventh man dressed in linen. This is what the Lord said to him and then the others:

Ezekiel 9:4-6b

“Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city.”

Then I heard the Lord say to the other men, “Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity!

But do not touch anyone with the mark. Begin right here at the Temple.”

Those that committed the detestable sins against God were going to be destroyed. What is fascinating is that what would save a person from the wrath of God – what distinguished them from the wicked – was that they would weep and sigh because of how much their people had turned away from God. They were marked. Oh, you couldn’t see this mark in the natural, but the heavenly entities sure could! Those that were marked were saved because the Lord saw their reaction to the rejection of God around them.

In a separate story in the book of Ezekiel, there is a story of hope for the Israelites who were exiled. The Lord said this about them:

Ezekiel 11:18-21

“When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images [sexual impurities] and detestable idols.

And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.

But as for those who long for vile images and detestable idols, I will repay them fully for their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

The difference between those who were saved and those whose lives were destroyed is that one was grieved and saddened by those around them turning from God, and the other actually longed for the vile images and the things found detestable by God.

This is not a person’s opinion here. These are the very words and commands given by the Sovereign Lord! This is how we can check ourselves and see if we would have a mark on our forehead that would identify us as being in right standing with God: Does the immorality and vileness around us sadden us? Or do we long to see and partake in the very vileness that goes against God and His word?

Ezekiel 11:12

and you will know that I am the Lord. For you have refused to obey my decrees and regulations; instead, you have copied the standards of the nations around you.”

Here’s the deal. We have to make a choice. We are either going to go after God with our whole heart and obey Him no matter what the people around us are doing, or we are going to copy the standards of those walking in darkness. It’s such an easy choice! Why would we ever make it so difficult?

The world’s standards are not my God’s standards and they’re not mine, either. I don’t need to copy them, and I don’t want to long after the vile images and detestable sins they offer me.

God, I want to be marked by You! I want You to place in me a tender heart that is responsive to You. Copying the world’s standards only makes my heart grow harder and harder toward You, which never results in anything good. Please help me to never become desensitized to the sin and rejection of You going on around me. Instead of longing for their immorality, please help me feel grief over their detestable acts.

#vileimages #righteousness