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Monday, March 30, 2009

Ezekiel 9 – to mark or not to mark?

God is still showing Ezekiel around “Christmas Carol” style, and this time, Ezekiel sees the death of what seems like most of Israel.  God has a guy go out and put a mark on everyone who is grieving over their sin.  God also has six other guys follow the marking guy.  These six are told to kill everyone that doesn’t get a mark.

As Ezekiel sees the massive bloodshed, he weeps over the dead, wondering if any will be spared.  God simply replies, “…I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but will bring down on their own heads what they have done” (v. 10).

This is one more reminder of how serious God is about sin, but this time there is a new side of God we see.  God honors and protects the repentant heart.  He sees those who truly mourn over their sin and has compassion on them.

tissot-peter-went-out-and-wept-bitterlyThis ties in exactly to what we’re going to be talking about on Sunday!  We’re talking about the Last Supper when Jesus foretells   the sins of Peter and Judas.  One of the big differences in these stories is the aftermath of their sin.  Peter realizes his mistake, repents, and becomes a cornerstone of the church.  Judas realizes his mistake and thinks so little of himself that he commits suicide.

How repentant am I over sin?  Do I grieve over my mistakes, or do I simply let them slide?  God, break my heart over my sin.  Give me a heart that grieves and aches.  Amen.

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