Sunday: The Temple Defiled: Ezekiel 8:1-18
After a renewed vision of God’s awesome glory (Ezekiel 8:1-2), Ezekiel is shown four panoramas of Judah’s gross idolatry taking place within God’s holy temple: (1) the “image of jealousy” (an idol), named such because idolatry provokes the Lord who is jealous over His people (Deuteronomy 32:21); (2) 70 elders burning incense to images of idols painted on the walls of a secret chamber; (3) women at the temple gate involved in a heathen ritual to Tammuz (a fertility god); (4) 25 men at the temple door, openly bowing down to the sun. In Ezekiel 8:17-18, divine judgment is pronounced; idolatry is a decayed stench in God’s nostrils.
Monday: Sparing the Remnant: Ezekiel 9:1-4
In the vision, Ezekiel hears the Lord summon six men (likely angels), to prepare for a brutal slaughter in Jerusalem. A seventh “man,” a scribe, is sent through the city to mark the holy remnant who grieve and lament the sins of Jerusalem. Notice how God’s shekinah glory moves from the chariot throne to the threshold of the temple, removing His protective blessing and covering and preparing to depart.
Tuesday: The Execution: Ezekiel 9:5-10:7
The six executioners are now sent forth to complete their judgment work. No one was to be spared because of sex or age—anyone without the mark would be slain. Just as Peter had warned that judgment is “to begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17), so the execution begins at God’s sanctuary, where Ezekiel has seen defiling abominations. The temple would now be further defiled by the corpses of idolaters. God told Ezekiel that Judah was defiled by innocent blood—the time had come for the people to reap the crop of their violence and corruption.
Wednesday: God’s Glory Revealed: Ezekiel 10:8-22
Here we again see the vision of God’s glory that Ezekiel had seen on the day of his ministry calling (Ezekiel 10:15, 20-22). Notice that the living creatures were “full of eyes” (Ezekiel 10:12) even as the wheels were. This points to the “all-knowing” nature of the Lord God. He had seen the public displays of idolatry and all the things done in secret. Everything He does is “according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11). The Holy One can’t abide the stench of sin, so when Judah stopped magnifying God to worship idols, His presence withdrew. Do we live in such a way that God would desire to dwell among us? He sees and knows everything we do!
Thursday: The Cauldron: Jerusalem: Ezekiel 11:1-13
Ezekiel prophesied against the evil leaders at the eastern door of the temple, worshiping the sun (Ezekiel 8:15-18). They had given the king and other leaders wicked advice, hoping to personally benefit from the losses of their countrymen. For their treachery, they would be slain. One of them falls dead instantly!
Friday: God’s Promises: Ezekiel 11:14-21
God now spoke words of hope to His righteous remnant. Some would apply to their return from captivity: (1) God would be their safe sanctuary (Ezekiel 11:16); (2) they would be gathered (Ezekiel 11:17a); and (3) they would again be given the land of Israel (Ezekiel 11:17b). Ezekiel 11:19-21 are promises that extend to the spiritual renewal that will occur at the end times—a time still in the future.
Saturday: God’s Glory Departs: Ezekiel 11:22-25
The chariot-throne of God had lingered at the threshold of the east gate of the temple, with God’s glory above it (Ezekiel 10:18-19). God’s glory now departed, to rest over the Mount of Olives. God is amazingly long-suffering, but His patience is not eternal.