#soap # Ezekiel 21 ## Title: God Gives Time for Repentance and Judgment ## Scripture: (Ezekiel 21:24) “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you have brought up your own guilt by uncovering your transgressions and revealing your sins through all your actions, for this reason you will be taken by force. (NET) ## Observation: This is not a great passage when you think of what is being proclaimed. The time of mercy and long-suffering is over. The time of justice has come. It is a hard thing to realize it is time to pay for all you have done. It reminds me of a guy I knew who was found guilty of a crime. He had 30 days to report to jail. It was an odd feeling. On one hand, 30 days felt like no time at all. On the other hand, 30 days was just long enough to feel like it was a long way off. However, that date was looming. There was this silly hope that, somehow, he would not have to report to jail. But, the time came and he had to serve out his prison sentence. This is how it is with the LORD. If God has said sin comes with consequences, it does. He will be merciful and give us time to repent. But, the consequences are coming. We need not ask God why He is being so mean. He told us the price. We decided it was worth paying. This is the truth of God’s mercy and justice. Both are fair. This is a great warning not to test His justice. ## Application: Be careful. God is a God of mercy AND justice. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for always being righteous.