Ezekiel
“The slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am the Lord. Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries. Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations. And they shall know that I am the Lord; I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them.” Ezekiel 6:7-10
People today say, “God would never punish people in hell. He is much too loving to do such a thing.” Did they never read the Scriptures? Ezekiel prophesied the widespread death and destruction that God would bring upon His rebellious people. The people of his day didn’t believe it either. “God would never allow His house to be destroyed,” they said.
When His word was fulfilled and they saw the dead lying beside their idols who were powerless to save them, then God says, “they shall know that I am the Lord; I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them.”
Therein lies the love in God’s judgment. God had tried everything to draw His people back to Him to no avail. But when His promised judgment came upon the rebels, God spared a remnant. Then they recognized their own wickedness and foolishness. They saw how God was crushed because of their rebellious heart and they “loathed themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations” and returned to the Lord in repentance. The LORD then graciously forgave and blessed them once again.
“Whom the Lord loves, He chastens.” (Hebrews 12:6) May we come in humble repentance and receive the blessing of His love and forgiveness.
O God, be merciful to me, the sinner. Grant me your peace and joy in your forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. Amen.