When Loving Leads to Loathing

Ezekiel 20; Psalm 107; Proverbs 27:15-16

We tend to be pretty pleased with ourselves. Not that we should be. We just are. We see other people’s faults, but we don’t see our own. We justify our behaviors, and we judge others as being “worse than we are.”

The Israelites were living in Babylon, exiled because of all their sins against God. Despite their punishment, they continued to sin. They thought they were doing just fine. But then they came to God in their self-congratulation and asked to inquire of Him. He wouldn’t allow it (Ezekiel 20:3, 31). But God had a message for them.

For the sake of His own name—not because of their worthiness—God would one day lead Israel out of Babylon. Many Israelites would be judged for their sins, but God would demonstrate His great love toward them by allowing a number of them to return to the Promised Land to serve Him (Ezekiel 20:32-44). The Israelites would see God’s love and God’s goodness to them, despite their sin. How would they respond?

There you will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done. – Ezekiel 20:43

They would loathe themselves. God’s love would bring self-loathing, because in the face of God’s goodness and love they would see how wickedly and sinfully they had behaved toward Him. And they would loathe themselves.

Anyone who enters a relationship with the living God is going to learn how wicked he or she has been. The more we know God’s holiness, His goodness, His provision for us, His love, the more our selfish, rebellious and sinful practices will show themselves to be despicable. And we learn to loathe ourselves. We are worthless before our ever-worthy God.