Ezekiel 7:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The rationale behind the strictness and perceived harshness of God, which some heretics may interpret as indifference, lies in the fact that His gaze does not exempt nor does it show compassion. He has declared, ‘I will give you your ways, and your abominations shall be among you, that you may understand what you have done, and, seeing your abominations before you or among all, correct your error by repentance, and, forsaking your former deeds and hating what you have done, understand that He is Lord. He disciplines to guide toward restoration, and He corrects every son whom He welcomes (Hebrews 12).

Have you pondered why the Source of humility, through Ezekiel, proclaimed of the Israelites, ‘My eye will not spare, nor will I have mercy'? Understand this: the Israelites had sinned for an extended period, warranting no forgiveness, as they disregarded the words of the prophets and neglected God’s blessings. They succumbed to a persistent evil, and since God was aware of their lack of repentance, He issued a definitive decree that they would be handed over to the Babylonians and endure suffering at the hands of their foes. God declares that He will not show compassion to those who suffer, as He did during the invasion of the Ninevites. In that instance, their inclination to repent provided an opportunity to forgive the condemned and revoke the judgment. However, in this case, because no one is turning toward what is good, but all are leaning toward what is wicked, this broad decree is inevitably made.