Ezekiel 33:11 says, “Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” This is an important verse that gives insight into God’s heart when it comes to the fate of the wicked.
The Context of Ezekiel 33:11
To properly understand this verse, it’s important to look at the context. Ezekiel was a prophet speaking to the people of Israel who were in exile in Babylon. They had turned away from following God and were being disciplined through the exile. Ezekiel had been prophesying God’s judgment on Israel for their sin and unfaithfulness. But now his message was shifting to one of hope – that if the people would repent, God would restore them.
Ezekiel 33 contains warnings from God about coming judgment, but verse 11 comes across as a plea – God taking no pleasure in seeing the wicked perish, but rather wanting them to repent so they would live. So this verse shows the heart of God in the midst of His discipline.
The Character of God Revealed
This verse reveals key aspects of God’s character:
- God is merciful and patient – He takes no delight in punishing the wicked.
- God is loving – He does not want any to perish as the wicked will.
- God is just – There are consequences for continued disobedience.
- God desires repentance – He makes an appeal to turn from wickedness.
Despite having to deal with Israel’s wickedness, God’s preference is always for restoration through repentance rather than destruction. He is slow to anger and quick to forgive when people turn to Him (Exodus 34:6-7).
God’s Sovereignty in Judgment
While God takes no pleasure in judging the wicked, He will still judge them in accordance with His justice and holiness. He remains sovereign over the fate of both the righteous and the wicked. He does not delight in it, but He will still carry out judgment (Deuteronomy 32:39-43).
However, even in His judgments, God is merciful. For example, He was merciful to spare a remnant of His people Israel rather than wiping them out completely for their sins. Judgment came, but mercy triumphed in the end (Isaiah 1:27-28, Jeremiah 30:11).
The Cost of Christ’s Sacrifice
God’s desire not to punish the wicked is ultimately displayed in the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ. On the cross, Jesus took the punishment for sin that was due wicked mankind (Isaiah 53:4-6). This came at great cost to both the Father and the Son.
The Father sacrificed His sinless Son in order to make a way for the wicked to be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with Him. The Son willingly took the punishment that was not His own in order to offer salvation to all who would believe in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:8).
God’s Patience in Calling Sinners to Repentance
Ezekiel 33:11 demonstrates God’s patience in calling sinners to repentance. Second Peter 3:9 says God is “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” So God continues reaching out to the lost, desiring their salvation rather than their destruction.
God is patient toward sinners, but His patience is not unlimited. There will come a time when the door of opportunity closes (Revelation 2:21). This is why God pleads for people to respond to His call to repent while there is still time (2 Corinthians 6:2).
The Balance of God’s Justice and Mercy
A key lesson from Ezekiel 33:11 is that God’s justice and mercy are balanced. On the one hand, He has provided the way of salvation through Christ to all who will repent. His mercy triumphs over judgment for those who turn to Him.
But on the other hand, if the wicked refuse to repent, His justice requires their punishment for rebelling against their Creator. So while not desiring the death of the wicked, God will still judge them in the end if they fail to repent.
God’s Coming Judgment of the World
While God has been patient in dealing with a wicked world, the Bible is clear that a final day of judgment and punishment is coming. God’s mercy has limits. That Day will be a day of reckoning for all who have refused to repent (Romans 2:5-10). No one will escape His judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
For believers, we know that day holds no fear because we have put our faith in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). But for the wicked who have rejected God, it will mean eternal punishment in hell (Revelation 20:11-15). God must deal justly with sin and rebellion.
Our Responsibility to Warn the Lost
Because God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, we as believers should view the lost as God does – people in desperate need of salvation through repentance and faith. We should have compassion for them as God does.
Like Ezekiel, we need to faithfully issue the warning that time is running out. Repent and believe the gospel! We should plead with people to be reconciled to God just as He is pleading with them through us (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our hearts should be broken over those who are perishing.
God’s Restoration of Repentant Sinners
The good news is that God will lavishly restore any who turn to Him! No matter how wicked they’ve been, God takes pleasure in forgiving, pardoning, and restoring the repentant sinner into His family (Luke 15:11-24).
He rejoices over them with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). There is simply no limit to the mercy, grace, and forgiveness God will pour out on any who come to Him in true repentance and faith, asking for mercy in Jesus’ name.
The Need for Holiness in God’s People
This truth should also give us as believers sobering motivation to pursue holiness. God doesn’t take pleasure in punishing the wicked, but that doesn’t mean He won’t discipline His own children if needed (Hebrews 12:4-11).
The desire to avoid grieving the heart of God through our sin should drive us to godly living. God wants us to enjoy close fellowship with Him, which sin hinders. We should heed His discipline as evidence of His love for us as His children.
Conclusion
Ezekiel 33:11 highlights the depth of God’s mercy, love, and patience – desiring people to repent and live rather than face destruction in judgment for their sins. God allowed His Son to take our place so we could be forgiven. But if we spurn God’s offer of salvation through repentance and faith in Christ, we are storing up wrath for ourselves on the coming Day of Judgment (Romans 2:5). Now is the day of salvation. Let us live in light of the mercy of God, pleading with the lost to be reconciled to Him before it is too late.