Ezekiel 18:23
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?
Do I take any pleasure
The Hebrew word for "pleasure" here is "חֵפֶץ" (chephets), which conveys the idea of delight or desire. This word choice emphasizes God's character as one who does not delight in punishment or destruction. Instead, it reflects His compassionate nature, underscoring that His judgments are not arbitrary but are rooted in justice and mercy. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God is love (1 John 4:8) and desires the well-being of His creation.

in the death of the wicked?
The term "wicked" is translated from the Hebrew word "רָשָׁע" (rasha), which refers to those who are morally wrong or guilty. The "death" mentioned here is not just physical death but also spiritual separation from God. This phrase highlights the gravity of sin and its consequences. However, it also reveals God's heart, which is not inclined towards the destruction of sinners but rather towards their redemption and restoration.

declares the Lord GOD
The phrase "declares the Lord GOD" is a solemn affirmation of divine authority. The Hebrew "נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה" (ne'um Adonai YHWH) is used to emphasize that this is not merely a prophet's opinion but a direct statement from the sovereign Creator. It underscores the reliability and seriousness of the message, inviting the audience to trust in God's righteous character and His ultimate authority over life and death.

Wouldn't I prefer
The rhetorical question here is a powerful literary device that invites reflection. The Hebrew root "חָפֵץ" (chaphets) is again used, reinforcing the idea of God's desire or preference. This repetition serves to emphasize that God's will is not for punishment but for repentance and life. It challenges the reader to consider God's true intentions and to align their understanding with His merciful nature.

he turn from his ways
The concept of "turning" is central to the biblical theme of repentance. The Hebrew word "שׁוּב" (shuv) means to return or to turn back. It implies a conscious decision to change direction, moving away from sin and towards God. This phrase highlights the possibility of transformation and renewal, affirming that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace if they choose to repent.

and live?
The word "live" is translated from the Hebrew "חָיָה" (chayah), which means to have life or to be restored to life. This is not just about physical existence but encompasses a full, abundant life in relationship with God. It reflects the ultimate goal of God's redemptive plan: to bring humanity into eternal life through repentance and faith. This phrase encapsulates the hope and promise of the gospel, that through turning to God, one can experience true life.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.

2. The Lord GOD
The sovereign and just God of Israel, who speaks through Ezekiel, expressing His desire for repentance rather than punishment.

3. The Wicked
Refers to those who live in sin and rebellion against God's commandments, specifically the Israelites who have turned away from God.

4. Repentance
The act of turning away from sin and returning to God, which is central to the message of this verse.

5. Life
Symbolizes not just physical life but spiritual renewal and restoration in relationship with God.
Teaching Points
God's Heart for Repentance
God does not delight in punishment but desires that all turn from their sinful ways and live. This reflects His compassionate and merciful nature.

The Call to Turn
Repentance is a personal decision to turn away from sin and towards God. It is an invitation to experience true life and restoration.

The Urgency of Repentance
While God is patient, the call to repentance is urgent. We are encouraged to respond to God's invitation without delay.

God's Justice and Mercy
God's justice demands accountability for sin, but His mercy offers a path to forgiveness and life through repentance.

Living in Alignment with God's Will
As believers, we are called to align our lives with God's will, seeking His guidance and strength to turn from sin.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's desire for repentance change your perspective on His character?

2. In what ways can you personally respond to God's call to turn from sin and live?

3. How can the message of Ezekiel 18:23 encourage you to share the gospel with others?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to align your life more closely with God's will?

5. How do the additional scriptures connected to Ezekiel 18:23 deepen your understanding of God's desire for repentance and salvation?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Peter 3:9
This verse echoes the sentiment of Ezekiel 18:23, emphasizing God's patience and desire for all to come to repentance.

1 Timothy 2:4
Highlights God's will for all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, aligning with His desire for repentance.

Luke 15:7
Jesus speaks of the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, reflecting God's pleasure in repentance rather than judgment.

Isaiah 55:7
Encourages the wicked to forsake their ways and return to the Lord, who will have mercy and abundantly pardon.

Psalm 103:8-10
Describes God's merciful and gracious nature, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, which underpins His desire for repentance.
A Summons to RepentanceD. Featly, D. D.Ezekiel 18:23
Divine BenevolenceJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 18:23
God and the SoulBishop Lang.Ezekiel 18:23
God's Solemn Inquiry of Gospel HearersD. D. Stewart, M. A.Ezekiel 18:23
Sin Slays the SinnerEzekiel 18:23
The Best ReturnD. Featly, D. D.Ezekiel 18:23
God's Remonstrance with Man's ReasonJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 18:5-24
Moral Transformations and Their ConsequencesW. Jones Ezekiel 18:21-29
People
Ezekiel
Places
Babylon
Topics
Affirmation, Death, Declares, Desire, Die, Evil-doer, Pleased, Pleasure, Rather, Return, Says, Sovereign, Turn, Turning, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 18:23

     1175   God, will of
     5918   pleasure
     6627   conversion, nature of
     6734   repentance, importance
     8301   love, and enemies
     8460   pleasing God
     8710   atheism
     9023   death, unbelievers

Ezekiel 18:1-32

     6026   sin, judgment on
     6206   offence

Ezekiel 18:20-31

     6139   deadness, spiritual

Ezekiel 18:21-23

     4937   fate, fatalism
     6663   freedom, of will

Ezekiel 18:21-24

     8670   remembering

Library
Sins of Parents visited
Eversley. 19th Sunday after Trinity, 1868. Ezekiel xviii. 1-4. "The word of the Lord came unto me again, saying, What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

God's Curse on Sin.
"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin."--EZEKIEL xviii. 30. These words of Ezekiel may be understood as expressing in the prophet's language what the Book of Deuteronomy expresses in such denunciations as those which were read to us the other day in the Commination Service. They correspond also to the warning of St. Paul when he says--"Be not
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

Divine Impartiality Considered.
"For there is no respect of persons with God." The divine impartiality is often asserted in the holy scriptures; and the assertion coincides with our natural ideas of deity. The pagans indeed attributed to their Gods, the vices, follies and weaknesses of men! But the beings whom they adored were mostly taken from among men, and might be considered as retaining human imperfections,--Had unbiased reason been consulted to find out a supreme being, a different object would have been exhibited to view.
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

True Repentance
EZEKIEL xviii. 27. When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness which he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. We hear a great deal about repentance, and how necessary it is for a man to repent of his sins; for unless a man repent, he cannot be forgiven. But do we all of us really know what repentance means? I sometimes fear not. I sometimes fear, that though this text stands at the opening of the Church service, and though people hear it
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

Of the Examination of Conscience, and Purpose of Amendment
The Voice of the Beloved Above all things the priest of God must draw nigh, with all humility of heart and supplicating reverence, with full faith and pious desire for the honour of God, to celebrate, minister, and receive this Sacrament. Diligently examine thy conscience and with all thy might with true contrition and humble confession cleanse and purify it, so that thou mayest feel no burden, nor know anything which bringeth thee remorse and impedeth thy free approach. Have displeasure against
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Theology of Grace.
The theology which Augustin opposed, in his anti-Pelagian writings, to the errors of Pelagianism, is, shortly, the theology of grace. Its roots were planted deeply in his own experience, and in the teachings of Scripture, especially of that apostle whom he delights to call "the great preacher of grace," and to follow whom, in his measure, was his greatest desire. The grace of God in Jesus Christ, conveyed to us by the Holy Spirit and evidenced by the love that He sheds abroad in our hearts, is the
St. Augustine—Anti-Pelagian Writings

The Abbots Euroul and Loumon.
To the examples already given in the previous biographies, of the power which religion exercised over the rough and savage mind, we may add the following. The abbot Ebrolf (Euroul) had settled with his monks in a thick forest, infested by wild beasts and robbers. One of the robbers came to them, and, struck with reverence at their aspect, said to them: "Ye have chosen no fit dwelling for you here. The inhabitants of this forest live by plunder, and will not tolerate any one amongst them who maintains
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

A Startling Statement
TEXT: "The wicked shall not be unpunished."--Prov. 11:21. There are very many passages of Scripture which ought to be read in connection with this text; as for example, "Fools make a mock at sin" (Proverbs 14:9), for only a fool would. Better trifle with the pestilence and expose one's self to the plague than to discount the blighting effects of sin. And, again, "The soul that sinneth it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4). From this clear statement of the word of God there is no escape. Or, again, "Our
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

General Character of Christians.
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh, with the Affections and Lusts." St. Paul is supposed to have been the first herald of gospel grace to the Galatians; and they appear to have rejoiced at the glad tidings, and to have received the bearer with much respect. But after his departure, certain judaizing teachers went among them, and labored but too successfully, to alienate their affections from him, and turn them form the simplicity of the gospel. The malice and errors of those deceitful
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Wicked Husbandmen.
"Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: and when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

The Same Necessary and Eternal Different Relations
that different things bear one to another, and the same consequent fitness or unfitness of the application of different things or different relations one to another, with regard to which the will of God always and necessarily does determine itself, to choose to act only what is agreeable to justice, equity, goodness, and truth, in order to the welfare of the whole universe, ought likewise constantly to determine the wills of all subordinate rational beings, to govern all their actions by the same
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

Some Man Will Say, "So Then any Thief Whatever is to be Accounted Equal...
19. Some man will say, "So then any thief whatever is to be accounted equal with that thief who steals with will of mercy?" Who would say this? But of these two it does not follow that any is good, because one is worse. He is worse who steals through coveting, than he who steals through pity: but if all theft be sin, from all theft we must abstain. For who can say that people may sin, even though one sin be damnable, another venial? but now we are asking, if a man shall do this or that, who will
St. Augustine—Against Lying

"He is the Rock, his Work is Perfect, for all his Ways are Judgment, a God of Truth, and Without Iniquity, Just and Right is He.
Deut. xxxii. 4, 5.--"He is the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are judgment, a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he. They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children," &c. There are none can behold their own vileness as it is, but in the sight of God's glorious holiness. Sin is darkness, and neither sees itself, nor any thing else, therefore must his light shine to discover this darkness. If we abide within ourselves, and men like ourselves,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus, My Rock.
When the storm and the tempest are raging around me, Oh! where shall I flee to be safe from their shock? There are walls which no mortal hands built to surround me, A Refuge Eternal,--'Tis JESUS MY ROCK! When my heart is all sorrow, and trials aggrieve me, To whom can I safely my secrets unlock? No bosom (save one) has the power to relieve me, The bosom which bled for me, JESUS MY ROCK! When Life's gloomy curtain, at last, shall close o'er me, And the chill hand of death unexpectedly knock, I will
John Ross Macduff—The Cities of Refuge: or, The Name of Jesus

And for Your Fearlessness against them Hold this Sure Sign -- Whenever There Is...
43. And for your fearlessness against them hold this sure sign--whenever there is any apparition, be not prostrate with fear, but whatsoever it be, first boldly ask, Who art thou? And from whence comest thou? And if it should be a vision of holy ones they will assure you, and change your fear into joy. But if the vision should be from the devil, immediately it becomes feeble, beholding your firm purpose of mind. For merely to ask, Who art thou [1083] ? and whence comest thou? is a proof of coolness.
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall.
Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall. [182] All Adam's posterity, or mankind, both Jews and Gentiles, as to the first Adam, or earthly man, is fallen, degenerated, and dead; deprived of the sensation or feeling of this inward testimony or seed of God; and is subject unto the power, nature, and seed of the serpent, which he soweth in men's hearts, while they abide in this natural and corrupted estate; from whence it comes, that not only their words and deeds, but all their imaginations, are
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

"But we are all as an Unclean Thing, and all Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags,"
Isaiah lxiv 6, 7.--"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags," &c. This people's condition agreeth well with ours, though the Lord's dealing be very different. The confessory part of this prayer belongeth to us now; and strange it is, that there is such odds of the Lord's dispensations, when there is no difference in our conditions; always we know not how soon the complaint may be ours also. This prayer was prayed long before the judgment and captivity came
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Repentance and Restitution.
"God commandeth all men everywhere to repent."--Acts xvii. 30. Repentance is one of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. Yet I believe it is one of those truths that many people little understand at the present day. There are more people to-day in the mist and darkness about Repentance, Regeneration, the Atonement, and such-like fundamental truths, than perhaps on any other doctrines. Yet from our earliest years we have heard about them. If I were to ask for a definition of Repentance, a great
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Perseverance Proved.
2. I REMARK, that God is able to preserve and keep the true saints from apostacy, in consistency with their liberty: 2 Tim. i. 12: "For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Here the apostle expresses the fullest confidence in the ability of Christ to keep him: and indeed, as has been said, it is most manifest that the apostles expected
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Letter ii (A. D. 1126) to the Monk Adam
To the Monk Adam [3] 1. If you remain yet in that spirit of charity which I either knew or believed to be with you formerly, you would certainly feel the condemnation with which charity must regard the scandal which you have given to the weak. For charity would not offend charity, nor scorn when it feels itself offended. For it cannot deny itself, nor be divided against itself. Its function is rather to draw together things divided; and it is far from dividing those that are joined. Now, if that
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

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