“Yet you say, ‘The way of the LORD is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?” (Ezekiel 18:25 ESV).
When Ezekiel proclaimed this message, many of God’s people were already living in exile in Babylon after Jerusalem’s first deportations. They complained that God was being unjust—that they were suffering for their fathers’ sins rather than their own. They repeated a bitter proverb: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge” (Ezek. 18:2). But through Ezekiel, the Lord refuted this lie. Each person, He declared, is accountable for his or her own sin. In verse 25, God exposes their accusation: “You say, ‘The way of the LORD is not just.’” Then He turns the charge back upon them: “Is it not your ways that are not just?” His justice is perfect, balanced, and true. Like a potter shaping clay, God has sovereign authority to do what is right (Jer. 18:1–6; Rom. 9:20–21). The problem lies not in the Potter but in the clay questioning His hands.
We, too, can be quick to question God’s justice when life feels unfair. We blame our parents, our circumstances, or even God Himself. But Jesus warned, “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matt. 7:5). Before we accuse God of injustice, we must look honestly in the mirror. His ways are higher than ours; His judgments are righteous altogether. The cross of Christ proves it—there God’s perfect justice and mercy met. Instead of charging Him with wrongdoing, we should bow in repentance and gratitude that He is both just and the justifier of the one who believes in Jesus (Rom. 3:26).
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for questioning Your justice. Teach us to trust Your wisdom when we don’t understand. Help us examine our own hearts before blaming others or You. Thank You that in Christ, justice was satisfied and mercy was extended to us. May we walk humbly in Your ways, for Yours alone are just and true. In Jesus’ name, amen.