20220831

just and merciful to all

Ezekiel 16:53-58 (JDV)

Ezekiel 16:53 ” ‘I will restore their fortunes, the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters and those of Samaria and her daughters. I will also restore your fortunes among them,
Ezekiel 16:54 so you will bear your disgrace and be ashamed of all you did when you comforted them.
Ezekiel 16:55 As for your sisters, Sodom and her daughters and Samaria and her daughters will return to their former state. You and your daughters will also return to your former state.
Ezekiel 16:56 Didn’t you treat your sister Sodom as an object of scorn when you were proud,
Ezekiel 16:57 before your guilt was exposed? It was like the time you were scorned by the daughters of Aram and all those around her, and by the daughters of the Philistines – those who treated you triflingly from every side.
Ezekiel 16:58 You yourself must bear the consequences of your infamy and repulsive practices – this is Yahveh’s declaration.

just and merciful to all

The fact that God cares enough to restore the fortunes of Samaria and Sodom reminds the inhabitants of Jerusalem that they are not as special as they thought they were. Our God is just and merciful to all. That does not mean he ignores sin. No, he cannot ignore sin and rebellion even when it is in his own city. It is even more repulsive when those reputed to be God’s people sin.

LORD, make us visibly yours, and faithfully obedient.