“Is God Fair?”

Fair…… “impartial, honest, free from self-interest or favoritism, loving…”. Fairness is a good thing. I can still remember arguments as kids ….. “hey, that’s not fair, you’re cheating; I’m taking my football and going home.” 

Well it looks like it’s not only kids who complain about fairness. In today’s reading from Ezekiel, the subject of fairness is brought up. “You say the Lord’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?” (Ez.18:21-28)  Yikes, it sounds like we’re back on the playground. I find it amazing that God even enters into a discussion about whether he’s fair or not. God is God… he doesn’t need to prove to us that’s he’s fair….he’s God. Yet he goes on to explain that He is fair and it’s us that’s not fair. 

While the first part of the Ezekiel passage generates applause from the crowd, it’s the last part that brings the arguing.  “If the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil…. none of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die. You say, “The Lord’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die…..” (Ez. 18:21-28)

I have to say at first glance it does seem a bit “unfair”. Here we have the “bum” changing his way and receiving mercy, while the “good guy” accidently trips and falls and he gets sent to the “electric chair”. 

Well, I think we need to look a bit closer, remembering that God is not unfair. We should first of all, thank God for his mercy in welcoming home the sinner. I’m certainly in that category and happy to receive mercy and forgiveness. But what about the virtuous man who now turns from virtue to evil? Hmmmmmmm. In the context of this passage and of the rest of scripture, I would believe this man will now have opportunities to turn back and receive mercy. Scripture is replete with examples of men who have repented of their evil deeds, been forgiven, and been welcomed back…. look at King David who was a holy and courageous man, then sinned dreadfully, but repented and was welcomed home. I would think that the example of the “backsliding man in Ezekiel” would be again welcomed home if he turns back to God. 

Regardless of whether my explanation is correct or not, God is not unfair. He is loving and kind and merciful. God’s mercy is overwhelming and available to all. Wherever we find ourselves, we can call out to our Lord for mercy. And that is “more than fair”….. that is good news.