"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 33:11 (NIV)

God's judgment always begins with tears. Before Jerusalem faced destruction, Jesus wept over the city. Before pronouncing judgment, God cried out through Ezekiel, "Why will you die?" These aren't the words or emotions of someone eager to punish. They are the heartbroken pleas of a loving God who wants to save, not condemn.

Many people have the wrong idea about God and judgment. They picture God as angry and eager to punish sin. They think He watches from heaven, waiting for us to mess up. They believe God enjoys sending judgment on people who break His rules. But God Himself tells us this isn't true at all. He takes "no pleasure" in the death of the wicked.

God's judgment comes from His love, not His anger. Think of a good parent who disciplines their child. The parent doesn't enjoy the discipline. It often hurts the parent more than the child, but they do it because they love too much not to act. God's judgment works the same way. It flows from His deep love, which cannot allow destructive behavior to continue unchecked.

Jesus showed us God's heart when He wept over Jerusalem. He wasn't angry as He predicted the city's coming destruction. He was heartbroken. His tears revealed what God feels when people choose paths that lead to pain. When God must judge, He does so with tears in His eyes, not with joy in His heart. Jesus' weeping proves Ezekiel's message about God's heart.

God always prefers turning than punishing. Notice how God pleads in Ezekiel: "Turn! Turn from your evil ways!" He repeats Himself, showing His deep desire. It's like a parent running after a child heading toward danger, repeatedly calling out. God doesn't want to punish—He wants to rescue. He begs people to change direction before it's too late.

The question "Why will you die?" shows God's frustration. It's as if God is saying, "This makes no sense! Why choose death when life is available?" When Jesus cried, "If you had only known what would bring you peace," He expressed the same frustration. God offers life and peace, yet people often choose paths that lead to destruction. Seeing us hurt ourselves when He offers a better way breaks His heart.

God takes an oath about His own heart. In Ezekiel, God says, "As surely as I live," which is the strongest possible promise. God is swearing by His own self that He gets no satisfaction from punishing the wicked. This shows how important it is to God that we understand His true nature. He wants us to know, beyond any doubt, that His deepest desire is for our salvation, not our punishment.

Judgment comes only after many chances to turn around. Jerusalem didn't face destruction until after years of prophetic warnings and Jesus' ministry. God gave the city every possible opportunity for change. When God tells people to "Turn!" He's not just giving a command—He's offering an opportunity. His judgment only comes after His mercy has been repeatedly rejected.

Perhaps it's also time for us to reflect on whether what we experience is our own doing. Like Jerusalem facing consequences for repeatedly ignoring God's messengers, we often bring hardship on ourselves through our choices. God doesn't send trouble to hurt us, but He sometimes allows us to experience the natural results of our actions. This isn't God being mean - it's reality teaching us what God's warnings tried to prevent.

"God's judgment is not the opposite of His love; it is an expression of His love." —Timothy Keller. This truth helps us understand both Ezekiel's message and Jesus' tears. God judges not because He stops loving but because He keeps loving. Like a doctor who causes temporary pain to bring healing, God's judgment aims at our ultimate good, never simply causing suffering.

Understanding God's heart changes how we see His discipline. When hard times come, many people think, "God must be punishing me because He's angry." However, knowing God takes no pleasure in our pain helps us see difficulties differently. God's discipline comes from His desire to help us live better lives. He corrects because He loves, not because He enjoys our suffering.

Godseekers, God's deepest want is for your restoration. Just as Jesus longed for Jerusalem to find peace, God longs for you to experience life and wholeness. Every warning in Scripture comes from His heart of love. Every call to repentance is an invitation to something better. God is not hoping you'll fail so He can punish you. He's hoping you'll turn to Him and live the full life He created you for.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for showing us Your heart in both Ezekiel and Jesus. I see now that Your warnings come from love, not anger. Help me understand Your discipline as a sign of Your care, not Your rejection. When I face hard times, remind me that You take no pleasure in my pain. Give me the courage to "turn" when You call, knowing You're guiding me toward life, not death. Thank you for your patience and all the chances you have given me to change direction. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Personal Reflection

• Have I been viewing God's rules and warnings as signs of His control or care?
• What area of my life might God call me to "turn" from today?

Step of Faith

Today, I will remember that God's deepest wish is for my restoration, not my punishment. I will take one specific step to turn away from a harmful pattern in my life, knowing this brings God joy, not my continuing in it.