Ezekiel was a priest and the son of Buzi. He was also a captive among the children of Israel who had been taken into captivity by a Babylonian King. He was sitting by the river Chebar when the heaven was opened to him for the second time. At that time Ezekiel had been in captivity for 5years and God chose him to be a prophet and a watchman to Israel. He was to be the mouth of God and to give them warning from God. (both Israel and Judah)
In ancient world, a watchman walked the walls in order to spot any hostile action against the city. They were also to give word to the king of any person approaching the City wall
2 Samuel 18:24-27
24 While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out to the king and reported it.The king said, “If he is alone, he must have good news.” And the runner came closer and closer. 26 Then the watchman saw another runner, and he called down to the gatekeeper, “Look, another man running alone!”The king said, “He must be bringing good news, too.”27 The watchman said, “It seems to me that the first one runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.”“He’s a good man,” the king said. “He comes with good news.”
Source
During this period, both Israel and Judah had sank so low in their spiritual life worshipping all kinds of gods.
Their abomination was so grievous because they not only worshipped the gods of the Amorites, Hiltites etc Nations God had driven away so they could occupy the land of Canaan, but they were even Involved with foreign gods like TAMMUZ a Phoenician deity. The images of these gods where found everywhere; on mountains, under trees and finally in the Temple of God in Jerusalem defiling the temple of God.
Finally, in Chapter 10: 17-22, the Glory of God which is the presence of God and the Holy spirit departed from the temple. It must be noted that since we are the temple of God we have to be careful otherwise the Holy Spirit will leave us if we continue to sin without repentance. And may God forbid otherwise it would be better if we had not been born at all. As a result of these abominations, God decided to bring judgment on his people. God therefore showed Ezekiel how he was going carry out this judgment in Ezekiel 9:1 - 7 the very chapter we are reading for our devotional.
God showed him seven (7) supernatural beings (Angels) who were going to mark each individual for death or for life. They were to go through the City of Jerusalem to carry out this assignment.
An angel in linen which symbolizes righteousness was to use a writer’s inkhorn and mark those who were righteous. The six were to mark those who were unrighteous for judgement by slaughter. This judgement was to start at the house of God, Priests, High priests etc were not going to be spared.
Today as in those days, God is saying the iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah (the whole world) is exceedingly great. The land is full of blood and the City full of perverseness for they say the Lord has forsaken the Earth and the Lord sees not. This is the state of our mind and attitude. So today we have all become Idolaters we worship all kinds of idols whether material, scientific or Philosophic. We esteem them higher than God. Our phones for example engage our attention several times a day and there is the likely hood that the first thing we do upon waking up is to pick our phones and check WhatsApp messages and see what is trending, therefore relegating prayers and Bible reading to the background.
We devote a greater part of our time in a day in watching lewd things on social media and pay detailed attention to gossips etc. in order to be abreast with the world.
As believers, the blood avails to cleanse us from all unrighteousness but we cannot continue to sin without confession of our sins and repentance. If such attitude continues most of us will be marked for slaughter (six Angels were assigned for this task).
May God deliver us, and may his spirit awaken us from our deep slumber of death.
Today if you hear his voice do not harden your heart.
God bless us all. Amen.
Congratulations @tj4real!
You raised your level and are now a Dolphin!