Reflections Reading EzekielНамуна

One of the more interesting themes that comes up in Ezekiel is about how people react when they are instruments of judgment, and how people react seeing others suffer.  The two often went together.

Ezekiel is not shy in saying, as his fellow prophet Isaiah had said before him, that God anointed other rulers to enact just judgment on Israel for their extensive catalogue of sins and idolatry.  Isaiah had called Cyrus (a more brutal King it is hard to find) God’s anointed, his shepherd.  There was little to recommend Cyrus for a Noble Peace Prize, but nonetheless he was used by the Lord for the difficult purpose of judgment.  

But should a nation go beyond the pale in judging Israel, they themselves would be harshly and swiftly judged.  Judgment was not to be served with relish, nor glee.  Justice has its place, but it is not a reason for gloating.  

Justice/law, of any sort, is to protect a community; it is not a weapon of revenge, no matter how enticing that might be at the time to us.  I’m not completely sure that when people who have been victims of a crime say a tough sentence brings them closure, that it really does?  Closure is seldom possible to the bereaved – loss isn’t assuaged by a custodial sentence or fine.  Can we at times detect a private glee, something we wouldn’t see if forgiveness were in play?  

Some of the surrounding nations that witnessed Israel being decimated and led into captivity clapped their hands in jubilation.  They rejoiced at another’s suffering, no matter how just that suffering may have been.  Ezekiel won’t allow for this cruelty and says those very people would regret their disdain and, in fact, the Lord God would raise up Israel, return them to their land, and bless their future in marvelous ways, whilst those that laughed would do so on the other side of their faces.  It never pays to rejoice at the loss of others. 

It is a cruel person who laughs at the disasters others face, even if they ‘had it coming.’  We are better served with a sober attitude that doesn’t revel in the troubles others face, the more so if they are enemies.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.