Thursday 12 February 2026
[The Lord] said to him, "Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of those who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it." (v. 4)
Background
Chapter 9 brings us to another of the prophet Ezekiel's visions. The introduction to this vision can be found in chapter 8 where Ezekiel is sat in his house with the elders of Judah. In the vision he is taken around the Temple and shown all that is wrong with it.
We join the vision to see a group of people with the power to execute judgement on the city of Jerusalem. There are six of them plus one who was clothed in linen and had a writing case with him. The instruction to this man was to mark all those in Jerusalem who grieved over the things it had done wrong.
This little section reminds us of other parts of Scripture. It has echoes of the Passover (Exodus 12:7) where the door posts were marked to protect those inside. There is also connections with the judgement in the desert where the Levites move through the camp killing those they come across after the creation of the golden calf. (Exodus 32:25-29)
From chapter eight we know that the anger of God in this moment is in connection with the worship of idols in the temple (Ezekiel 8:10-16). Throughout the Old Testament the worship of idols is condemned. For the people of God to worship created beings above the one and only God was detestable. Verse 3 tells us the glory of God moved from above the cherubim to the threshold of the Temple. The inference here is that, due to the idols, the Temple was no longer a place where the glory of God could reside and so it moves to leave. The image would have been a powerful one for those who heard Ezekiel share this word.
To Ponder:
- What do you think causes God to grieve and mourn over today? Do you share that grief?
- Ezekiel was recognised as a prophet by his community. Who do you recognise as a prophet today?
Prayer
Lord, I pray that you protect me by the power of your Spirit, marking me as one of your own. Empower me to share your light, love, and truth with those I meet today. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd David Wynd
David Wynd is a Methodist minister serving in Cullercoats, in North Tyneside.