It is comforting to know that God is just, and every wrong will ultimately be made right by our Sovereign Lord. At the same time, it is sobering and even terrifying to realize that God’s justice means our own wrong actions will be brought before the mightiest Being of all.
Ezekiel invites his audience to envision themselves standing in God’s courtroom, where God serves as both the prosecuting attorney and the judge. The situation is dire, as the weight of the people’s sin is overwhelming.
The word of the Lord came to me: You, mortal, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then declare to it all its abominable deeds.
You shall say: Thus says the Lord God: A city! Shedding blood within itself; its time has come; making its idols, defiling itself (Ezekiel 22.1-3).
As the prosecuting attorney, God presents the shedding of blood as one of the offenses. This includes not only murder but also actions such as the improper slaughter of animals or any act that violates the sanctity of life.
Take a moment to reflect on the many ways life is violated across the Earth. As you create your list of the different ways sacred life can be harmed, spend time in prayer, asking God to have mercy on our world.
Seek His guidance to help us promote peace and love instead of contributing to oppression, greed, and other destructive forces.
Idolatry is another charge that God brings against His people. Instead of being fully devoted to Him, they turned to substitutes—false gods they believed could provide what they desired when God did not conform to their wants.
Timothy Keller is a deeply insightful observer of the human condition, examining humanity through the lens of Scripture and with a prayerful heart.
Here is one of his sermons, which addresses idolatry in our modern age, is particularly impactful and well worth your time to listen to.
The Verdict
After presenting the evidence against His people, God declared His judgment upon their lives. They had been called to reflect His character and to honor His name, making His reputation holy across the Earth.
However, they failed in this calling. As a result, they would become a disgrace and a source of mockery to the nations surrounding them.
You have become guilty by the blood that you have shed and defiled by the idols that you have made; you have brought your days near; the appointed time of your years has come.
Therefore I have made you a disgrace before the nations and a mockery to all the countries.
Those who are near and those who are far from you will mock you, you infamous one, full of tumult (Ezekiel 22.4-5).
Several years ago, I was riding in my pickup truck with a man who, in his past, had been a frightening criminal. Now, transformed as a child of God, he spoke to me with deep emotion: “I cannot disrespect Jesus.”
He had chosen to live in a way that honored the name of Christ, committing never to bring dishonor to Him.
Readers of my article may not have the power to change the actions of politicians, ministers, business leaders, and others. However, we can follow the example of the man riding with me in my truck.
We can resolve that, every day and in every aspect of our lives, we will honor the reputation of the One who gave His life for us on the cross and rose from the dead, enabling us to live the fullest and most meaningful life possible.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
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