Ezekiel 18:23
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?
Truth: God takes no pleasure when people die without faith in Him.
Note the following verse that closes this chapter of Ezekiel's prophecy, as well as the one above:
Ezekiel 18:31-32
Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”
God is a patient God and takes no pleasure when others reject Him and they suffer for it. God is grieved by those who reject Him. In this portion of Ezekiel God is telling the nation of Israel that because of their sin they must suffer discipline for it. Yet, God takes no pleasure in it. Notice a couple of New Testament passages that echo this verse:
1 Timothy 2:4
who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Romans 2:4
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
God is patient. We ought to learn from this. We tend to want wrath right away. But, God doesn't. He tolerates sin for more than we know. Isn't it great that God is patient toward us ... even when we are impatient toward others? God is not slack, but long suffering. That is a trait we should worship, rejoice around and practice in our lives.
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