The Mark of the Tau

Sharper Iron from KFUO Radio

Rev. Caleb Adams, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, OR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 9:1-11.

Ezekiel’s vision of events in Jerusalem continues. He sees the beginning of the LORD’s departure from His own house. Though the LORD will not hear the cries of His people, He still cries out to Ezekiel concerning the executioners who are coming into Jerusalem. These six figures are likely angels. They come from the north, the normal direction of the enemies of God’s people, in order to bring destruction upon the city. The seventh figure is different; this one is clothed in linen and carries a writing case. Though he too is likely an angel, he is given a task that points us clearly to Christ. The LORD instructs the man clothed in linen to mark the faithful people of God with the Hebrew letter “tau,” which would have looked very similar to a cross. Those who bear this mark are spared the destruction from the six executioners, who go into the city with no pity. When Ezekiel wonders if the LORD will spare a remnant, the LORD speaks words of judgment, yet the return of the man in linen upon successful completion of his assignment is a reminder of the LORD’s mercy. This text calls us to cling to the LORD’s mercy alone for our salvation, for He is the One who has marked us as His own in His crucified and risen Son, Jesus.

“The Faithful Watchman” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Ezekiel. Just when Ezekiel should have begun his service as priest in the temple in Jerusalem, the LORD called him to be a prophet in exile in Babylon. Through fantastic visions and attention-grabbing action prophecies, the prophet Ezekiel is a faithful watchman who proclaims the word of the LORD to bring people to repentance over their sins and to faith in the coming Savior, Jesus Christ, the glory of the LORD made flesh.