John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 18:30

"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord Jehovah. Return ye, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin." — Ezekiel 18:30 (ASV)

Here God precisely points out that He will discharge the office of judge, and then He brings the Israelites to order and refutes their audacity. For as long as people do not feel God’s judgments hanging over them and are not held completely in check, they grow restless in their petulance.

We see how ferocious and unrestrained the reprobate are, because they are not restrained by the fear of punishment, nor do they dread the judgments of God. Therefore, so that He may take away every trace of excuse, He says, I will be your judge: plead now; but I will decide your disputes in one word, since each of you will be judged by My will.

It is certain, then, that God here claims for Himself the praise of justice and righteousness; but at the same time He brings forward His own authority, so that He may strike terror into those who so madly dare to oppose His rule and call upon Him to give an account.

Now, therefore, we understand in what sense He says that He will judge them all according to their ways. That is, although you do not confess yourselves worthy of destruction, it is sufficient that I, as the lawful judge, pronounce you so. I will judge you justly, therefore, since I pronounce sentence according to your ways and to My supreme power, so that all your complaints and murmurs may cease.

He afterwards exhorts them to repentance and indicates that they have no other remedy than to be dissatisfied with their sins and to plead against His wrath.

From this we gather that people rebel so extravagantly against God while they wander away from themselves. For if they looked within themselves and sincerely examined their whole life, they would be instantly humbled before God. Therefore, that thought should stimulate them to repentance. But because their conscience is dull, and they are willingly brutish, they boldly blaspheme God.

On the other hand, God now offers a remedy upon their repentance and turning from their wickedness. The word 'being converted,' or 'return,' refers to the renewal of the mind and heart. For this also is the beginning of repentance: that we should be inwardly renewed in mind, as Paul says, and so be made new men (Ephesians 4:22–23).

And this deserves notice, because many, when repentance is spoken of, fix their eyes only on the outward fruits of penitence. But we must begin at the root, as the Prophet teaches, by saying, be you converted. But he then adds והשיבו, veheshibu, and the word 'return'.

This second word, 'return,' should be referred to the fruits of penitence. For as inner conversion comes first in order, when we abandon our particular vices and renounce flesh and blood, the fruits and proofs of repentance should follow, as John said, Bring forth fruits as witnesses to your repentance (Matthew 3:8; Luke 3:8).

We see, then, that the Prophet begins with purity of heart and then comes to hands, as the Scripture elsewhere says—that is, to outward works. He says, from all your iniquities or crimes, to show that a partial repentance is not approved by God. It is true, indeed, that even those who strive with all their might to act rightly do not succeed in fulfilling their duty without many faults remaining. But we are not discussing perfection here, but only sincere affection and serious efforts. Let us then strive seriously to return to the way and to humble ourselves calmly and sincerely: this is the integrity which the Prophet now requires.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, since nothing is more frail than we are, and even when You have once stretched forth Your hand to us, we labor under such weakness that countless falls await us unless You help us: Grant, I say, that being supported by Your unconquered strength, we may proceed in the course of Your holy calling, and may so bravely and perseveringly wage war against all temptations, that we may at last enjoy in heaven the fruit of our victory, through Christ our Lord. Amen.