Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Ezekiel 9:1-7

There was a show on Hallmark called Signed, Sealed, Delivered that my wife and I really enjoyed watching. Yes, I enjoyed watching it. It was clean, quirky, and fun. There were some of those Hallmark romance elements at times, but it was a good show. The premise of the show is that these elite USPS workers go to great lengths to deliver letters and packages that have been damaged and are considered unable to be delivered or returned to sender. In our text today, God signs, seals, and delivers those who worship Him. Thank God for this promise!

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He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. 2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. 3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; 4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: 6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. 7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.

Ezekiel 9:1-7

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Signed

The man in the linen clothes is commanded to go through the city and mark those who "sigh and cry" over the sins of the city of Jerusalem. These are people whose ears are sensitive to the law of God and His holiness. Because they serve God, the wickedness of the people causes them to mourn. These are Old Testament saints. God signs his mark on their foreheads as one of His. Paul said, "...For I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus" (Galatians 6:17). The word "marks" was like a brand or tattoo that signified ownership or dedicated service to a pagan temple. For Paul, his "marks" were the scars from being persecuted for service to Jesus. He said that these identified him as belonging to Christ. They were Jesus's signature on his body.

Sealed

The mark of the ink of the faithful men's foreheads also sealed them. One definition of "Seal" is "conclude, establish, or secure (something) definitively, excluding the possibility of reversal or loss". They did not simply have the mark of God on them, but this mark sealed them from judgment. They were established as God's, secured under his protection, and his promise would never be reversed or lost. Jesus said, "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:29). Our seal is the Holy Spirit of God that indwells us at salvation. Of this, Paul wrote, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30).

Delivered

God told the other 6 men to kill everyone. The time of judgment for sin had come. However, he gives a separate command, "but come not near any man upon whom is the mark". Being signed and sealed by God resulted in these men being delivered from judgment. They were set apart by God's protection. Set apart is the definition of Holy. The signature and being sealed by God's Holy Spirit makes us holy. However, just as these men did not engage in the activities of those around them, neither should we. That is what Paul was referring to in Ephesians 4:30 when he said "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God." Just as the men in this vision of Ezekiel were delivered from judgment, so will all of those be who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Father, thank you for signing, sealing, and the promise of deliverance in my life. In times where there is so much uncertainty and evil, it is a great comfort to know that we are yours. Help me to share this promise with others. May they receive you and their Lord and Savior as well!