How can Ezekiel 9:5 deepen our understanding of God's holiness and justice? “As I listened, He said to the others, ‘Follow him through the city and strike down the people. Show no pity or compassion.’” Setting the Scene • Ezekiel is given a vision of divine judgment on Jerusalem for persistent idolatry and violence (Ezekiel 8). • A heavenly “man clothed in linen” first marks those who sigh and groan over the city’s sins (Ezekiel 9:4). • In verse 5 God commands the remaining executioners to begin their work, starting at the temple (9:6). God’s Holiness on Display • Holiness means absolute moral purity and separateness from sin (Isaiah 6:3). • God’s presence cannot coexist with willful rebellion; His holiness demands decisive action (Habakkuk 1:13). • The command “Show no pity” underscores that judgment flows from God’s character, not from impersonal fate. Justice Without Partiality • Judgment begins at the sanctuary (Ezekiel 9:6; 1 Peter 4:17), reminding us that privilege never overrides accountability. • Those spared are identified by inward grief over sin, not by social status or ritual (Micah 6:8). • Divine justice is exact and righteous—“He repays each according to his deeds” (Romans 2:5-6). Mercy Still Present • The mark on the repentant reveals God’s desire to save (Ezekiel 9:4). • This foreshadows Christ’s atoning blood that shields believers from wrath (Romans 5:9; Revelation 7:3). • Justice and mercy meet perfectly at the cross, where sin is punished and sinners are pardoned (Psalm 85:10). Implications for Believers Today • Take sin seriously; God still hates it and will judge it (Romans 6:23). • Cultivate a heart that mourns over personal and societal evil (Matthew 5:4). • Trust the only sufficient covering—the finished work of Jesus (John 3:36). • Live holy lives that reflect God’s own character (1 Peter 1:15-16). |
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