Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
God's judgment is fair and strictly individual, for He judges every person after that person's own ways and conduct. The complaint that the way of the Lord is not equal is therefore false, and it is the people's own ways that are unequal. That fairness is shown in two opposite turnings: when a righteous person turns from righteousness and commits iniquity, that person shall die thereby, and when a wicked person turns from wickedness and does that which is lawful and right, that person shall live thereby. Each is judged according to the course chosen, the righteous who turn to wrongdoing being judged for their sin while the wicked who turn from sin and do what is right live.
God's government rests on personal responsibility, so no one can obey for another and no one can excuse neglect of duty by pointing to a neighbor's neglect, but each is accountable for the way chosen. The charge of inequality is made when people think evil and speak evil of God's messengers and refuse the warning. To complain against God's messengers in this way amounts to complaining against God Himself. The warning had been given in truth, reproof, and love, yet had been despised, and the verse upholds personal accountability for how people respond to that warning. Therefore the warning is to be respected and its message received, rather than finding fault with and accusing the messengers.
The chapter presents work God approves in which those entrusted with sacred responsibility serve as watchmen, staying alert to dangers threatening the spiritual life, health, and prosperity of God's people. This applies especially to ministers, who are responsible for the condition of the church and must seek divine wisdom and give warning when God is dishonored, with people needing to be watched over and warned because they are accountable to God for their own ways. Ministers who preach without prayerful searching of Scripture, entertain error, teach false doctrine contrary to a plain divine command, and hinder obedience by warning people against what God commanded bring ruin on themselves. Their condemnation is proportioned to the influence of their words and example in leading others into transgression, and the guilt for souls perishing through their unfaithfulness rests on them. Those who allow themselves to be deceived are not excused for entrusting their souls to the minister instead of searching God's Word for themselves, since the minister cannot pay a ransom for them. Christ gave His life to provide another trial to make return to loyalty possible, and those who side against God to justify sin must bear the penalty of sin.
The verse therefore calls each church member to take heed to conduct, correct evil, repent, and turn from sin. Such repentance and conversion prepare the way for sins to be blotted out when the times of refreshing come.
God's judgment is fair and strictly individual, for He judges every person after that person's own ways and conduct. The complaint that the way of the Lord is not equal is therefore false, and it is the people's own ways that are unequal. That fairness is shown in two opposite turnings: when a righteous person turns from righteousness and commits iniquity, that person shall die thereby, and when a wicked person turns from wickedness and does that which is lawful and right, that person shall live thereby. Each is judged according to the course chosen, the righteous who turn to wrongdoing being judged for their sin while the wicked who turn from sin and do what is right live.
God's government rests on personal responsibility, so no one can obey for another and no one can excuse neglect of duty by pointing to a neighbor's neglect, but each is accountable for the way chosen. The charge of inequality is made when people think evil and speak evil of God's messengers and refuse the warning. To complain against God's messengers in this way amounts to complaining against God Himself. The warning had been given in truth, reproof, and love, yet had been despised, and the verse upholds personal accountability for how people respond to that warning. Therefore the warning is to be respected and its message received, rather than finding fault with and accusing the messengers.
The chapter presents work God approves in which those entrusted with sacred responsibility serve as watchmen, staying alert to dangers threatening the spiritual life, health, and prosperity of God's people. This applies especially to ministers, who are responsible for the condition of the church and must seek divine wisdom and give warning when God is dishonored, with people needing to be watched over and warned because they are accountable to God for their own ways. Ministers who preach without prayerful searching of Scripture, entertain error, teach false doctrine contrary to a plain divine command, and hinder obedience by warning people against what God commanded bring ruin on themselves. Their condemnation is proportioned to the influence of their words and example in leading others into transgression, and the guilt for souls perishing through their unfaithfulness rests on them. Those who allow themselves to be deceived are not excused for entrusting their souls to the minister instead of searching God's Word for themselves, since the minister cannot pay a ransom for them. Christ gave His life to provide another trial to make return to loyalty possible, and those who side against God to justify sin must bear the penalty of sin.
The verse therefore calls each church member to take heed to conduct, correct evil, repent, and turn from sin. Such repentance and conversion prepare the way for sins to be blotted out when the times of refreshing come.