Question 1

What does it mean, "If our sins be upon us and we pine away in them"?

Accepted Answer

That line shows people who feel crushed and worn out because of their sins. They see their guilt and the trouble it has brought, and they feel there is no hope left. Instead of turning to God in trust, they speak in despair, almost as if God’s promises of life cannot apply to them anymore. God answers this hopeless talk by saying He does not delight in anyone’s death but wants them to turn from their evil ways and live, even when they feel weighed down by past sins.

Question 2

What does God mean by "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked"?

Accepted Answer

When God says He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, He is telling us about His heart. He does not enjoy punishing people or seeing them perish. His desire is that the wicked person would turn from his sinful way, do what is right, and live. This does not remove judgment for those who refuse to turn, but it shows that God’s first call is to repentance and life, not destruction. He urges them, “Turn, turn,” showing how earnest His call really is.

Question 3

How can the wicked person in this passage escape death and live?

Accepted Answer

The wicked person escapes death by truly turning from sin, not just in words but in actions. The passage mentions doing what is lawful and right, restoring what was taken, and walking in the “statutes of life” without returning to iniquity. When a person responds to God in this way, God promises that none of the former sins will be brought up against him. The person is not saved by pretending to change, but by a real turning of heart that shows itself in changed behavior.

Question 4

Why does the passage say past righteousness cannot save in the day of sinning?

Accepted Answer

The passage explains that a person’s past good deeds do not excuse present sin. If a “righteous” person turns away from righteousness, trusts in himself, and commits iniquity, his former works will not protect him from judgment. This warns against relying on a record of good behavior while continuing in sin. It pushes people to keep walking in God’s ways, instead of thinking, “I have done enough good already, so this new sin does not matter.” Each person is judged by the way he actually walks.

Question 5

Why do the people say, "The way of the Lord is not equal"?

Accepted Answer

The people complain that God’s way is not fair because they do not like the idea that a righteous person who turns to sin will die, and a wicked person who turns from sin will live. They think it should work differently. God answers that it is their way that is not fair, not His. His way is simple and straight: if you turn from righteousness to sin, you face death; if you turn from sin to what is right, you live. This shows that God’s judgment is clear and just.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about personal responsibility for sin?

Accepted Answer

This passage strongly teaches that each person is responsible for his own choices. Past righteousness does not cover present sin, and past wickedness does not block present repentance. God says He will judge “every one after his ways.” That means no one can hide behind old deeds, family ties, or the behavior of others. Each person must answer to God for how he responds right now to God’s call to turn from evil and do what is lawful and right.

Question 7

How does this passage show both God’s mercy and His justice?

Accepted Answer

God’s mercy is seen in His clear statement that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked and in His repeated call, “Turn, turn… why will you die?” He is ready to forgive and forget past sins when someone truly turns. His justice is seen in how He does not ignore ongoing sin, even in someone once called righteous. He does not let past good cancel present evil, or past evil cancel present repentance. Mercy invites people to turn, and justice judges each one by his actual way.

Question 8

How can a believer today apply the call, "Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways"?

Accepted Answer

A believer today can hear this call as a warning not to grow comfortable with any known sin. Instead of saying, “I have done many good things, so this does not matter,” a person should be ready to turn from whatever God shows to be wrong. That may include making things right with others, like restoring what was taken or changing unfair behavior. It also means trusting God rather than trusting in our own record, and daily choosing to walk in what He calls the “statutes of life.”

Ezekiel 33:10

Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

The Message of the Watchman

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Ezekiel 33:10

Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

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The Message of the Watchman

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