Today’s Reading, Ezekiel 31-33
Focal Scripture: Ezekiel 33:11 “Tell them, ‘As I live — this is the declaration of the Lord God — I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. Repent, repent of your evil ways! Why will you die, house of Israel?’
Rejoicing in destruction should never be something we are ok with. Seeing the evil punished will happen but it doesn’t mean we should find joy in that punishment. Our hearts should break for those who will be judged. Our actions should drive us to tell others the truth so they have an opportunity to repent of their sins.
In our reading today we see the total character of God when it comes to his judgments and decrees he has been telling Ezekiel. The Lord says he find no pleasure in the death of the wicked. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be judged but it does mean he is not joyful over their destruction. What does he want? For the wicked to turn from their evil ways and live. The Lord wants them to repent and turn to him. The Lord wants them to be changed.
For the last several days we have been reading how God hated evil. Sin must be judged. Those who rejoice in destruction will also be destroyed. Some people say that this vengeful God is why they don’t believe in him. However, we see here that he finds no delight in doing what is just. He wants everyone to repent and turn from their sin. Because God is perfect and holy he must deal with sin harshly. This is where the disconnect comes for most people.
The world, our families and friends need to know both aspects of God. His holiness demands that sin be judged but he doesn’t find pleasure in executing that judgement. He also wants sinners to repent and turn from evil. He doesn’t want to destroy the sinner instead he wants them to turn from evil and worship him. God wants all people to know the fullness of his love.
So do we tell others about God’s wrath and his love? Do we explain that the Lord wants people to repent? We must explain what people are repenting from and who they are turning to. It truly makes all the difference.
Tomorrow I plan on reading Ezekiel 34-36
