Ezekiel 33:12-20

“Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people . . .” (v. 12). “Therefore” links the message which the Lord is about to give to Ezekiel to the messages which preceded.

In the first eleven verses of chapter 33, The Lord told Ezekiel that he (Ezekiel) was God’s chosen watchman who was to warn the house of Israel of the sword which was about to fall upon them. In verse 10, we read “Thus ye speak.” That which “ye” (the house of Israel whom Ezekiel had warned) spoke, was “If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?”

The asking of this question is reason to believe that there were some (perhaps, many) among Ezekiel’s audience who had heard God’s warning of certain judgment and sought to respond in an appropriate manner. The Lord answered the house of Israel, saying: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his evil ways.” God made it known that the wicked who turn from their evil ways shall not perish.

In verse 12, the Lord reveals that which shall take place on two very different days — the day that the righteous sin and the day that the wicked repents. That which shall transpire on the day that the righteous sins, is tragic. The righteous shall not be able to live in the day of his sins. Something most marvelous, however, occurs on the other day, the day that the wicked turns from his wickedness. The wicked shall not fall in the day that he repents (turns from his wickedness).

“When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live . . .” (v. 13). When God states that the righteous shall live, He is not speaking of them who are righteous in their own eyes; He is speaking of them who live by faith, believing on His promises. “The just shall live by faith” (Hab. 2:4). God credited Abraham’s faith for righteousness (Gen. 15:6). Trusting in one’s own righteousness is folly. “. . . there is none that doeth good” (Ps. 53:1). The iniquities of those who trust in their own righteousness shall be remembered and they shall perish for their iniquities.

The wicked who turn from sin and embrace God’s law, are not counted as wicked. The wicked is now counted as righteous because he is looking to God, not himself, for righteousness.

In verses 14-16, God repeats his promise to the wicked. The wicked shalt surely die (v. 14). If the wicked changes his ways (repents) and walks in God’s ways (according to the law), he shall not die (v. 15). God does not see the sins of them who turn from sin, casting their hope upon Him. God no longer sees the sin of the wicked. The Lord sees only that which is lawful and right (v. 16).

New Testament believers read the words which God spoke through Ezekiel and hear the words of the better covenant which we have received. We are reminded that God commended His love toward us while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8). We rejoice because the Father sees the covering blood of the Lamb, the covering which He supplied. The Father sees only the righteousness of the Son.

“Yet the children of thy people say . . .” (v. 17). The house of Israel (the children of thy people) said it is not fair. It is not fair that one who was long-wicked would live as the righteous who ever sought God’s ways. The house of Israel was guilty of wrong-thinking. The house of Israel looked upon themselves and counted their law-keeping as righteousness. God looks at the hearts of them who keep His law. God sees them who trust in Him and those who trust in their law-keeping. “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Prov. 28:26). Those who count their law-keeping as righteousness do not know God; they are fools. God counts the belief of law-keepers, not law-keeping, for righteousness. God counts the belief of them who trust in themselves as wickedness.

Again, New Testament believers read the scriptures given to Moses and the prophets and hear the words of our Lord and Savior. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23). God sees iniquity in them who trust in their own works. New Testament believers strive to keep the law because God, alone, is righteous.

When we consider the charge of unfairness against God (v. 17), we think upon the charge brought by the workers in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). The parable illustrates that the kingdom of heaven operates on grace, not human notions of fairness. Life (eternal life) is a gift; it is not earned by merit. It is a gift reserved for all who believe.

“When the righteous man turneth . . .” (v. 18). When one turns from righteousness, one turns away from God. All who turn from God, commit iniquity, and shall surely die. All who turn from wickedness and do the Father’s will shall live (v. 19).

God’s message to the house of Israel in verse 20 is terrifying. God will judge “you every one after his ways.” His ways is not “my ways” (God shall look upon Israel’s failings). God shall look upon Israel’s failure to trust in Him and Him alone.

New Testament believers need not fear that day of judgment because by grace through faith our failures are forever hidden by the blood of the Lamb. God, in His grace, counts faith for righteousness. Let us present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, unto God. It is our reasonable service (Rom. 12:1). It is God’s will that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Pet. 3:9).