Man Clothed in Linen - Inkhorn - Ezekiel 9

Ezekiel 9:4 "And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof."

We find in this chapter that there were those in Jerusalem who did not like what was going on in the city. They sighed and cried over their city. We realize also that the Lord is aware of those who sin and those who hold fast to their fast.

These six men, mentioned here, seem to be the angelic watchmen over the city. That is just my view.

v1 "He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with is destroying weapon in his hand."

It says man but this may be for Ezekiel's benefit. Remember we are seeing a vision through the eyes of Ezekiel.

v2 "And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar."

Like soldiers called to the one in charge, they stood awaiting their command.

The first to receive orders was the man in linen with the inkhorn.

v3 "And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side?

My Bible refers me back to Leviticus 16:4 where it talks of the manner of Aaron's dress.

"He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh...these are holy garments..."

The job given to the man in linen was to go through the city and find those who sighed and cried and to put a mark on them. Next we have the other five and their orders:

v5 "And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him; through the city, and smite, let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity; v6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark, and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house."

These are very solemn scriptures. This house was built for the Lord. It had been defiled. We see here that the Lord has already moved from the altar to the threshold. He is leaving the house. It is sad. As we have already seen from the abominations committed by the people, it was justified.

v11 "And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying I have done as thou hast commanded me."

Not only was this a very real event where the Lord judged Israel but it should serve as an example of the judgment that awaits this world. Those who push God away and serve other gods will face similar judgment. I am so thankful for the grace of God that he sent his Son to make a way of salvation for us. It is not the mark from that inkhorn that we have but the blood of God's very son upon our souls, so that, when judgment comes we know that it cannot touch those where the blood has been applied. That is those who have accepted Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made to bring salvation. Amen.