Paul Onyango Wahonya

Ezekiel 5 Paul Onyango Wahonya

The question of the character of God has been an issue of contention among many believers, particularly when considering the severe punitive actions that he unleashes upon humanity from time to time. An examination of Ezekiel 5:5-17 in the context of Ezekiel 1-24 gives a picture of a God who upholds the terms of the covenant. When his people breach the covenant stipulations, as the Israelites did, he takes appropriate disciplinary measures, some of which may be unprecedented, to register his disapproval of people's sins. Yet a study of the book of Ezekiel reveals that in spite of these punishments, God is still loving, gracious, and merciful. This is seen from the actions he takes, such as calling the Israelites to repentance, offering them a new heart, a new spirit (spiritual transformation), and being present with them even in exile.