Is God Unfair?

Some folks who are anti-Christian or atheists often levy a charge that the God of Christianity is unfair. They even use that as their basis for unbelief. You may have heard them say something like, “My god would never send anyone to Hell.” One could write sermon after sermon and many blog posts on why this is bad theology.

I thought I would share just one instance where God went above and beyond, so to speak, in trying to get his chosen people back on the right track. I know Ezekiel is not a favorite book for most. In fact, the average Christian may not be able to tell you any more about the book, than Ezekiel saw the wheel. And that was probably learned from a song in Sunday School.

But I just happened to be reading in Ezekiel, chapter 3 the other day and I was struck by something. That is what I want to share with you today. Now, Ezekiel was called by God to prophesy to the people in Israel & Judea. In chapter 3, verse 4 it says “And he (the Lord) said to me. ‘Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them.’”

The Lord continues in verse 7 “But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me: because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart.”

And in verse 11 the Lord says, “And go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ whether they hear or refuse to hear.”

Did you catch that? Don’t miss it. God said to tell them whether they listen or not. Why would he say that? Remember, God is omniscient, which means he knows all things, including the future. He already told Ezekiel that they would not listen. He is telling Zeke that even though they will refuse to hear, he wants the message delivered just the same. It seems that God wants to give them another chance to repent, but he already knows the outcome, so again, why?

It must be a lesson for us. Just maybe, it was to answer the notion that God isn’t fair. Maybe it is to show that He is a God that gives second chances? Or maybe, it is to show His great patience and mercy? Maybe all of the above and more? Whatever the reason, it does also show that His wrath is justified and deals with us fairly after all. Let me end by quoting from Hebrews 3:15 “As it is said, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’”