Ezekiel 18:21-23

If a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

In reading the Old Testament, many times we can get caught up wrath of God and forget about His compassion. This happened to me: I began my Christian walk by reading mostly New Testament books of the Bible and when I turned to the Old Testament I was shocked.

Colossians 1:15 tells us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. All of the Old Testament is a foreshadowing, and set-up for the salvation to come to the world through Jesus Christ. We must remember this as we read of God setting the stage through the struggles of a nation called Israel. However, we also must remember that God is not just a God of Love and Compassion, but a God of wrath towards sin and sinners.

Imagine that there was a man who continuously tried to break into your house and hurt your family members. Would you not tell him that that is not a very nice thing to do, and you do not appreciate it - of course you would! You may tell him that you are a gracious person and you want him to know Jesus. You tell him you will give him another shot, but he continues to threaten the lives of your family members. At this point would it not be unloving to the one's you claim to love if you do not take action against this man? You would call the cops and have him arrested. Our sin is like the thief who comes to destroy and God is like the loving Father who will only tolerate injustice for so long.

This is the picture that the Old Testament paints for us. God wishes that no-one perish, but that all would turn from their wicked ways and turn towards Him. If we open our eyes we cannot help but see God as a Father of Love, Grace, Forgiveness and Compassion over the children of Israel.