“Then the Spirit picked me up and took me to the gate of the Temple that faces east. There were twenty-five men standing at the gate. I recognized the leaders, Jaazaniah, son of Azzur, and Pelatiah, son of Benaiah. God said, ‘Son of man, these are the men who draw up blueprints for sin, who think up new programs for evil in this city. They say, “We can make anything happen here. We’re the best. We’re the choice pieces of meat in the soup pot.” Oppose them, son of man. Preach against them.’” (Ezekiel 11:1-4; The Message)
“Now the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of the Lord’s house which faced eastward. And behold, there were twenty-five men at the entrance of the gate, and among them, I saw Jaazaniah, son of Azzur, and Pelatiah, son of Benaiah, leaders of the people. Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, these are the men who devise wrongdoing and give evil advice in this city…Therefore, prophesy against them, prophesy, son of man!’” (Ezekiel 11:1-2,4; NASB)
God takes names. In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel was taken in the spiritual realm to a gate of the Temple, where God showed him 25 men marked for judgment. “These are the men,” He said, “who devise iniquity…prophesy against them.” The subsequent verses speak of their severe judgments.
I can’t think of anything more frightening than to know that my name was on a list of those God was about to judge. We don’t want that for anyone!
He also keeps a list of those He intends to bless. There’s a revealing description of this in the book of Malachi.
“The context of this book is the unfaithfulness of Israel, a people God loved very much and who were supposed to be walking in covenant with Him. They had turned away from Him, however, and were instead worshiping idols. God’s desire was for them to return to Him, and He was using Malachi to challenge them accordingly.
“In the midst of this season in which God was experiencing such painful rejection, several individuals who still honored and respected Him were conversing. Based on the passage, their conversation was obviously honoring Him. As they were speaking to one another, the Lord heard it and was deeply moved.
‘Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name.
“And they will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.’” (Malachi 3:16-18)
“‘Gave attention’ is from the Hebrew word qashab,(1) which means ‘to prick up the ears, like an animal coming to alertness.’ Imagine God, feeling the pain of unfaithfulness and broken relationships, suddenly hearing some of His family speaking of Him respectfully and lovingly. He became alert and listened to them attentively here in Malachi.
“God is always listening for the sounds of love. John said He is love personified (1 John 4:8, 16), and as our loving Father and friend, He enjoys the company of those who also honor the relationship.
“The passage in Malachi goes on to say the Lord ‘heard’ these individuals. Among other definitions, this Hebrew word also means ‘to eavesdrop.’ God began eavesdropping on their conversation, not to catch them doing something wrong but because their conversation was blessing Him!
“The passage in Malachi goes on to say the Lord ‘heard’ these individuals. Among other definitions, this Hebrew word also means ‘to eavesdrop.’ God began eavesdropping on their conversation, not to catch them doing something wrong but because their conversation was blessing Him!
“God’s heart is often so incredibly misunderstood. Jesus, who came to show us the true nature of God, was so kind that He was loved by young and old, including sinners. Only self-righteous, religious legalists and the truly evil didn’t like Him. He was interesting, compassionate, and kind.
“In Malachi’s day, God’s heart was so moved by these people who loved and honored Him that He instructed angels to create ‘a book of remembrance’ and record their names in it. He would honor them later. He called them ‘mine’ and His ‘possession’ (segullah)(2). Segullah was the word for a treasure or jewel. The Lord was so deeply moved by what He was hearing that He referred to these friends as a treasure to His heart. Amazing.”(3)
What an incredible passage. Such contrasts. Some were on the list for judgment, others for blessing. Before the judgments began, God wanted us to know that His heart is that of a loving father, and that He records not only the names of the wicked, but also those who love Him. He loves them back.
Pray with me:
Father, You take no pleasure in judging the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11). We know there are some in our land who have arrogantly rebelled against You. If they do not turn in repentance, they will experience Your judgment. We ask You to give them another chance; soften their heart before it is too late.
We also know You will not allow evil to stop Your plans. We command the release of Your will into our nation, just as You instructed us to do. Cleansing, restoration, revival, reformation, healing, and deliverance - we command these things to materialize.
We also know You will not allow evil to stop Your plans. We command the release of Your will into our nation, just as You instructed us to do. Cleansing, restoration, revival, reformation, healing, and deliverance - we command these things to materialize.
We also continue to surround our leaders with protection. Assign angels to guard them. We pray especially for Trump and leading conservative voices, whom we know satan would love to destroy. Foil every plan. And send true revival to them. We ask that the coming shaking will end with revival in Washington.
We pray and declare all this in the authority of Christ. Amen.
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James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 7181.
Ibid., ref. no. 5459.
Dutch Sheets, The Pleasure of His Company (Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers), pp. 159-162.
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