Single lesson
Ezekiel 9: Execution of the Idolaters
Ezekiel 9:1–11
Ezekiel 9:1–11 is a solemn prophetic vision of judgement in Jerusalem. It shows a clear separation between those who grieve over abominations and those facing the city-wide stroke of wrath.
Before you teach
In this passage, Ezekiel hears a loud summons and sees six armed men and one man in linen with a writer’s inkhorn. The glory of the God of Israel moves to the threshold of the house, commands are given, Ezekiel cries out, and the man in linen reports back.
Explain the central teaching of Ezekiel 9: Execution of the Idolaters, using two details from the reading. This vision presents God’s judgement as deliberate, while also showing that he distinguishes those who grieve over the evil done in Jerusalem.
Welcome: Ezekiel 9: Execution of the Idolaters
5 minIntroduce “Execution of the Idolaters” and locate Ezekiel 9:1–11. This vision presents God’s judgement as deliberate, while also showing that he distinguishes those who grieve over the evil done in Jerusalem. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Ezekiel 9:1, Ezekiel 9:6, Ezekiel 9:11
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe vision begins with a loud command for those in charge of the city to come near with destroying weapons. Six men arrive from the upper gate with slaughter weapons, and one man among them is clothed in linen with a writer’s inkhorn. They stand beside the bronze altar, awaiting orders.
The others are told to go through the city after him and strike without pity, but they must not come near anyone with the mark. The command says to begin at the sanctuary, and the vision reports that they began at the old men who were before the house.
Ezekiel falls on his face and asks whether all the residue of Israel will be destroyed. The answer points to exceedingly great iniquity, a land full of blood, and a city full of perversion. The people say Yahweh has forsaken the land and does not see, and the man in linen finally reports, “I have done as you have commanded me.”
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Execution of the Idolaters”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Ezekiel 9:1, Ezekiel 9:2, Ezekiel 9:5, Ezekiel 9:6, Ezekiel 9:7, Ezekiel 9:8, Ezekiel 9:9, Ezekiel 9:10, Ezekiel 9:11
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “Who receives the mark in this vision?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This vision presents God’s judgement as deliberate, while also showing that he distinguishes those who grieve over the evil done in Jerusalem. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Ezekiel 9:4, Ezekiel 9:6, Ezekiel 9:9, Ezekiel 9:10
Make and respond: Vision and message evidence map
12 minWork on “Ezekiel 9: Execution of the Idolaters: Vision and message evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Execution of the Idolaters” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Ezekiel 9:1, Ezekiel 9:6, Ezekiel 9:11
Closing: return to Execution of the Idolaters
3 minRevisit Ezekiel 9:1–11. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Execution of the Idolaters and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Ezekiel 9:1, Ezekiel 9:6, Ezekiel 9:11
Questions to explore
Who receives the mark in this vision?
Read the exact description in Ezekiel 9:4 and notice that the mark is for those who sigh and cry over the abominations in Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 9:4
Where does the judgement begin?
Look at Ezekiel 9:6 and observe both the command to begin at the sanctuary and the statement about the old men before the house.
Ezekiel 9:6
What reasons are given for this judgement?
List the words used in Ezekiel 9:9 and Ezekiel 9:10, including iniquity, blood, perversion, and the people’s claim that Yahweh does not see.
Ezekiel 9:9, Ezekiel 9:10
Make, think or respond
Ezekiel 9: Execution of the Idolaters: Vision and message evidence map
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage describes”, “What is explained in the text”, “What question remains”.
- Read Ezekiel 9:1–11. Use “Execution of the Idolaters” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Circle an explanation the passage itself provides. Leave unexplained details as questions for further reading.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Ezekiel 9: Execution of the Idolaters connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Execution of the Idolaters” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Ezekiel 9:1–11. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Ezekiel 9:1–11. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Ezekiel 9
1 Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, “Cause those who are in charge of the city to draw near, each man with his destroying weapon in his hand.”
2 Behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand. One man in the middle of them was clothed in linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. They went in, and stood beside the bronze altar.
3 The glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house; and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn by his side.
4 Yahweh said to him, “Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”
5 To the others he said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him, and strike. Don’t let your eye spare, neither have pity.
6 Kill utterly the old man, the young man, the virgin, little children and women; but don’t come near any man on whom is the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” Then they began at the old men who were before the house.
7 He said to them, “Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!” They went out, and struck in the city.
8 While they were killing, and I was left, I fell on my face, and cried, and said, “Ah Lord Yahweh! Will you destroy all the residue of Israel in your pouring out of your wrath on Jerusalem?”
9 Then he said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perversion; for they say, ‘Yahweh has forsaken the land, and Yahweh doesn’t see.’
10 As for me also, my eye won’t spare, neither will I have pity, but I will bring their way on their head.”
11 Behold, the man clothed in linen, who had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, “I have done as you have commanded me.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.