These chapters in Ezekiel continue to depict God's judgment on Jerusalem for its sinfulness. God promises the departure of his glory from the temple as well as gives the promise of restoration for the repentant. In Chapter 9, Ezekiel has a vision of six men coming from the direction of the upper gate facing north, each with a weapon in his hand. Among them is a man clothed in linen with a writing kit at his side. This man is instructed to go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over the detestable things being done in the city. The others are instructed to follow him and kill without showing pity or compassion, sparing only those marked with the seal. This marks the beginning of God's judgment upon Jerusalem for its sins. In Chapter 10, Ezekiel's vision is of the glory of the Lord departing from the temple in Jerusalem. As the glory of the Lord departs, the city is left vulnerable to destruction. In Chapter 11, Ezekiel sees a group of leaders and elders of Israel who are plotting evil and giving wicked advice in the city. God promises judgment upon them. Ezekiel is then taken in a vision to the eastern gate of the temple, where he sees the glory of the Lord standing. God tells Ezekiel that he will scatter the people of Jerusalem among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands. However, he also promises to gather them back to their land and give them a new heart and a new spirit, removing their heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh. This chapter reveals both the judgment and the eventual restoration of Israel by God.
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