Ezekiel 7 reminds me of a wise dad that had two competitive sons. He developed a great way to create fairness after dinner. He would allow one son to cut the cake and the other to have first choice. He noted the cutter would be extremely careful to divide perfectly, knowing he got the last pick. We have an innate understanding of fairness, but only notice when WE are not getting the bigger portion of dessert. Few people complain about getting more than they agreed. In today’s chapter God utters words that should frighten us to the core. God declares His message through the prophet, “I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices“. Many that claim to want fairness really want to cut the cake and have the first pick. Winners never demand a recount. This decree is important enough to be repeated three more times. He also clarifies the significance to the nation of Israel, “The end is now upon you, and I will unleash My anger against you… I will not look on you with pity; I will not spare you“. Just like today, people want to enjoy the blessings of God’s mercy without the encumbrances of acknowledging God’s authority. God says of this terrible time, “Then you will know that I am the Lord“. As a parent, I do not require that my children fall at my feet to receive the basics, but I do appreciate it when I hear “Thanks” or notice them helping without being asked. Expressing gratitude is a great way to live!
I believe God’s law was given to prove to us that we cannot be perfect. It was given to lead us to discover our need for a Savior. God’s patience is extended until we understand that we cannot be good enough on our own. But Israel rejected God and moved false gods into the house of worship. He would not allow the entire nation to be corrupted. “See, it comes! The end has come! Doom has come upon you… The day is near!There is panic, not joy“.They voided the terms of the contract, and now the total is due, “I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices“.
The nation will be removed from the land of promise, “None of the people will be left, none of that crowd none of their wealth, nothing of value… Let not the buyer rejoice nor the seller grieve, for my wrath is on the whole crowd… Because of their sins“. Destruction is so swift and overwhelming, “no one will go into battle… Every hand will go limp; every leg will be wet with urine“. He adds, “Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them… I will give their wealth as plunder to foreigners… robbers will desecrate the place I treasure“. This is the place where some of us scream, “This in not fair!” God concludes, “I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them“. Many of us argue that God should not judge us on things we don’t know. My personal protest stopped when I read Romans 2, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself“. Here are our choices, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). I believe a point of decision will come for each of us. No matter what decision we make, “Then they will know that I am the Lord“. When the meal is over, it will be time to cut the cake, do you want justice, or Mercy?