Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their ancestors. – Ezekiel 20:4

Today's Scripture Reading (June 28, 2023): Ezekiel 20

Justice is not impartial. Who you are matters when it comes to what you are being tried for and the eventual punishment you will receive. It matters how much money you have, even if it is just that the wealthy can afford the best representation in court. Justice is not impartial. It isn't supposed to be that way, we understand that justice is supposed to be objective, but we know it isn't. And, maybe, it can't be; perhaps we can't dispense justice equally.

There is a former president that understands that. He famously argued that he could kill someone on Wall Street and would receive no punishment. As a result, this ex-president has lived his life as if the law didn't apply to him. Of course, he also claims to be a victim of unfair prosecutions. And what you believe is probably related to your opinion of his character. But either way, whether you think he is getting away with things or paying a higher price than others, the result is that justice isn't impartial.

The elders of the Israelite people in exile come once more to Ezekiel to inquire of God. But God does not want the inquiry. The reason for the exile is already out there if the leaders were willing to listen. God had put up with the rebellion of Israel for generations, and now he had reached his limit. The Babylonian exile happened because of the disobedience of the people. And if the exiles wanted to repossess the Promised Land, then they had to confront the sins of the past, as well as the sins of the present and future. The exiles had to break from the behavior of their ancestors.

And so, God asks Ezekiel, "Are you ready to bring my judgment on my people? Are you willing to stand up and tell the elders how they and their ancestors have failed to live up to the standard I have raised for them? Are you willing to challenge them so that they have the opportunity to make a change? Or will you let their behavior slide, believing they have already suffered much just by being taken into exile?

It is a good question for Ezekiel and us. Justice isn't objective in the church, just as it isn't objective in society. And often, the modern-day prophets seem unwilling to confront the people of their sin. We hope that a God of mercy will let the behavior slide, often because we fear they will pull their support from us. But maybe, just like Ezekiel, we need to fear more from God than from the people who have gathered around us; we need to give those around us at least a chance to change their direction and truthfully follow the path that God has placed before us.  

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 21