July 18

Introduction

Ezekiel 33:1–20: In reminding Ezekiel of his appointment to serve as a watchman or lookout for Israel (see Ezekiel 3:16–21), God tells the prophet that his role is to convey to the people any warnings that God gives him.

Today’s Key Verse: Ezekiel 33:19

[The LORD said:] “When someone evil quits sinning and does what is right and good, he has saved his life.”

Reading

33 The Lord spoke to me. ² “Mortal man,” he said, “tell your people what happens when I bring war to a land. The people of that country choose one of their number to be a lookout. ³ When he sees the enemy approaching, he sounds the alarm to warn everyone. ⁴ If someone hears it but pays no attention and the enemy comes and kills him, then he is to blame for his own death. ⁵ His death is his own fault, because he paid no attention to the warning. If he had paid attention, he could have escaped. ⁶ If, however, the lookout sees the enemy coming and does not sound the alarm, the enemy will come and kill those sinners, but I will hold the lookout responsible for their death.

⁷ “Now, mortal man, I am making you a lookout for the nation of Israel. You must pass on to them the warnings I give you. ⁸ If I announce that an evil person is going to die but you do not warn him to change his ways so that he can save his life, then he will die, still a sinner, and I will hold you responsible for his death. ⁹ If you do warn an evil person and he doesn’t stop sinning, he will die, still a sinner, but your life will be spared.”

¹⁰ The Lord spoke to me. “Mortal man,” he said, “repeat to the Israelites what they are saying: ‘We are burdened with our sins and the wrongs we have done. We are wasting away. How can we live?’ ¹¹ Tell them that as surely as I, the Sovereign Lord, am the living God, I do not enjoy seeing sinners die. I would rather see them stop sinning and live. Israel, stop the evil you are doing. Why do you want to die?

¹² “Now, mortal man, tell the Israelites that when someone good sins, the good he has done will not save him. If an evil person stops doing evil, he won’t be punished, and if a good man starts sinning, his life will not be spared. ¹³ I may promise life to someone good, but if he starts thinking that his past goodness is enough and begins to sin, I will not remember any of the good he did. He will die because of his sins. ¹⁴ I may warn someone evil that he is going to die, but if he stops sinning and does what is right and good— ¹⁵ for example, if he returns the security he took for a loan or gives back what he stole—if he stops sinning and follows the laws that give life, he will not die, but live. ¹⁶ I will forgive the sins he has committed, and he will live because he has done what is right and good.

¹⁷ “And your people say that what I do isn’t right! No, it’s their way that isn’t right. ¹⁸ When someone righteous stops doing good and starts doing evil, he will die for it. ¹⁹ When someone evil quits sinning and does what is right and good, he has saved his life. ²⁰ But Israel, you say that what I do isn’t right. I am going to judge you by what you do.”

Reflect

What instructions does Ezekiel receive from God (verses 7–9)? According to verse 11, what does God desire? What does this say about God’s character? Reread verses 12–20. What are your thoughts about what God says about those who are considered “good” and those who are considered “evil”?

Pray

Sovereign God, keep me from sinning so that all I say and do is pleasing in your sight. Help me each day to do what is right. Your teachings and your law give life, and I seek to serve you according to your will. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Ezekiel 36:1–15: God promises to restore Israel.