Committed

Ezekiel was called to deliver God’s message about the sins of His people. Some genuinely grieved for their sins, and as they repented and turned to Him, God put His mark on them. He knew who they were.

Yet others didn’t take Ezekiel’s warnings seriously. They continued to rebel and disobey. Many did “detestable things” in secret, and they tried to hide the fact that they worshiped idols and false gods in the “temple of the Lord.” But God saw everything they did.

Their actions were shocking, and in the face of these extreme violations, judgment was the inevitable outcome. Those guilty of rebellion and disobedience would reap what they had sown. Despite knowing the Truth and hearing God’s warnings, they rejected His message.

As the executioners were sent to implement judgment, they were not to touch “any man on whom is the mark.” God protected these people who had proven their sensitivity to Him and His Word. Their lives demonstrated that they were serious about their commitment to Him.

Sadly, others were marked out for other reasons-for their failure to respond, their unwillingness to change, and their rejection of God’s instructions.

This distinction reminds us of Jesus’ promise that when He “comes in His glory” and “will sit on His glorious throne,” then, “all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:31-33). All of us will face this judgment and give an account of our lives.

Make sure you are ready for that day. Make sure you’re committed to God and passionate about His Kingdom.