GOD HAS NO PLEASURE AT THE DEATH OF THE WICKED
TITLE: GOD HAS NO PLEASURE AT THE DEATH OF THE WICKED
SCRIPTURE:
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel, so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for[a] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.10 “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of[b] them. How then can we live?”’ 11 Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’ (Ezekiel 33:7—11)
OBSERVATION:
God made Ezekiel a watchman for the people of Israel. He was to give a warning from God to the people of Israel. God has a message to be delivered to a wicked person. When God said to the wicked person, YOU WICKED PERSON, YOU WILL SURELY DIE, and Ezekiel the watchman said something to persuade the evil person to change their ways, they will die, but God will hold Ezekiel accountable for their blood.
And if Ezekiel heard the word of the Lord, and warn them, and they do not turn from their ways, they will die of their own choices, and their blood will be on themselves, and the son of man is not held accountable for their blood.
The Israelites were saying, our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?”’ God did not condemn his people. Their offenses and sins weighed them down. They were wasted away from their sins. They were hopeless and unable to turn away from their wickedness.
God is a loving and gracious Father who sees the suffering of his people and sends a messenger to warn them. We are like Ezekiel, sent by God to warn people around us to turn from their wicked ways and receive the grace of God. The onus and the emphasis of this are on the messenger. We have work to do. We, as believers, must do our part to speak to those around us to turn from their ways.
God’s answer to the wicked person was, as indeed as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’ God does not have the pleasure of sending people to hell. He takes delight in helping save them from their wicked ways. God is not happy that wicked people die daily without knowing of his love. God want evil people to see that he cares for them and wants them to turn from their wickedness.
God calls out to all the wicked people, TURN, TURN from your evil ways. Why will you die? God’s heart is seen in His message to Ezekiel to help a wicked person change their ways. God is so loving and gracious, merciful and kind. He is a forgiving God.
APPLICATION:
This is so convicting, and I want to do my part to be a watchman for my brothers and sisters. I want to be someone who speaks to people to turn from their sins and find favor in God. I want to be a faithful watchman to warn people I come in contact with about the love of God for them.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me to be a faithful watchman. I want to share your love with those around me. Please give me a sense of urgency to share your good news with many around me here in this nation. I want to be your mouthpiece. Please help me to be bold and courageous and share the hope that is found in you. I pray for those I know who have not known you to enter a relationship with you. Please help me to be someone who is burned with your love for those who are weighed down with sin and don’t know how to find hope. Lead me and guide me, Jesus, daily. Amen!
