Friday, May 3 ~ Put a mark on the foreheads of the men.​—Ezek. 9:4.

[GrumpysWife]

Friday, May 3

Put a mark on the foreheads of the men.—Ezek. 9:4.

 

Are you dealing with trials, such as ill health, financial problems, or persecution? Do you at times find it hard to maintain your joy in Jehovah’s service? If so, take courage from the examples of Noah, Daniel, and Job. They were imperfect, and they faced many of the challenges we face, including some that were life threatening. Yet, they held on to their integrity, becoming models of faith and obedience in the eyes of God. (Ezek. 14:12-14) Ezekiel wrote the words of our text in Babylonia in 612 B.C.E. (Ezek. 1:1; 8:1) Apostate Jerusalem was nearing its foretold destruction, which occurred in 607 B.C.E. Only relatively few individuals reflected the qualities of Noah, Daniel, and Job and were thus marked for survival. (Ezek. 9:1-5) Likewise today, only those whom Jehovah considers blameless like them will be marked for survival when the present system of things comes to an end.—Rev. 7:9, 14. w18.02 3-4 ¶1-3