Difficult OT passages. Someone help others understand.

[Believer08]

Ezekiel 4:12ff “And you shall eat it as barley cakes; and bake it using fuel of human waste in their sight.”
13 Then the LORD said, “So shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, where I will drive them.”
14 So I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Indeed I have never defiled myself from my youth till now; I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has abominable flesh ever come into my mouth.”
15 Then He said to me, “See, I am giving you cow dung instead of human waste, and you shall prepare your bread over it.”

Ezekiel 24:16ff “Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, nor shall your tears run down. Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man’s bread of sorrow.”So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and the next morning I did as I was commanded.

Ezekiel 3:24–27
“Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house.
But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:
And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house.
But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD…”

Ezekiel 24:26–27
“That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears.
In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 33:21–22
“And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.
Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.”

Isaiah 20:2-3 at the same time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and remove the sackcloth from your body, and take your sandals off your feet.” And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
3 Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia,

Jeremiah 19:9 “And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and everyone shall eat the flesh of his friend in the siege and in the desperation with which their enemies and those who seek their lives shall drive them to despair.” ’

Leviticus 26:22
I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.

Deuteronomy 32:24 They will be wasted from hunger, ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague; I will send the fangs of wild beasts against them, with the venom of vipers that slither in the dust.

2 Kings 17:25
Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

Jeremiah 15:3
l will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Ezekiel 5:17
I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken."

Ezekiel 14:15
Or if I send wild beasts through the land and they bereave it so that it becomes desolate, with no man passing through for fear of the beasts,

Leviticus 26:26
When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied.

Psalm 105:16
He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.

Isaiah 3:1
For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of bread and water,

Micah 6:14
You will eat but not be satisfied, and your hunger will remain with you. What you acquire, you will not preserve; and what you save, I will give over to the sword.

Jeremiah 19:3
And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.

Jeremiah 6:19
Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.

Isaiah 28:19
As often as it passes through it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be sheer terror to understand the message.

Lamentations 4:10
The hands of compassionate women have boiled their own children; they became their food during the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Isaiah 9:20
They slice meat on the right, but are still hungry, and they devour on the left, but are not satisfied; each devours the flesh of his own arm,

Amos 3:6
Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?

Numbers 21:6 So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.

Lamentations 4:10-11
The hands of the compassionate women
Have cooked their own children;
They became food for them
In the destruction of the daughter of my people.
11 The LORD has fulfilled His fury,
He has poured out His fierce anger.
He kindled a fire in Zion,
And it has devoured its foundations

1 Kings 22:21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’
22 The LORD said to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the LORD said, ‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’

1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Jeremiah 4:10
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.

 

[Rob7]

Ezekiel 4:12ff “And you shall eat it as barley cakes; and bake it using fuel of human waste in their sight.”
13 Then the LORD said, “So shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, where I will drive them.”
14 So I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Indeed I have never defiled myself from my youth till now; I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has abominable flesh ever come into my mouth.”
15 Then He said to me, “See, I am giving you cow dung instead of human waste, and you shall prepare your bread over it.”

Ezekiel 24:16ff “Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, nor shall your tears run down. Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man’s bread of sorrow.”So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and the next morning I did as I was commanded.

Ezekiel 3:24–27
“Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house.
But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:
And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house.
But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD…”

Ezekiel 24:26–27
“That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears.
In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 33:21–22
“And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.
Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.”

Isaiah 20:2-3 at the same time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and remove the sackcloth from your body, and take your sandals off your feet.” And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
3 Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia,

Jeremiah 19:9 “And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and everyone shall eat the flesh of his friend in the siege and in the desperation with which their enemies and those who seek their lives shall drive them to despair.” ’

Leviticus 26:22
I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.

Deuteronomy 32:24 They will be wasted from hunger, ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague; I will send the fangs of wild beasts against them, with the venom of vipers that slither in the dust.

2 Kings 17:25
Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

Jeremiah 15:3
l will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Ezekiel 5:17
I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken."

Ezekiel 14:15
Or if I send wild beasts through the land and they bereave it so that it becomes desolate, with no man passing through for fear of the beasts,

Leviticus 26:26
When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied.

Psalm 105:16
He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.

Isaiah 3:1
For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of bread and water,

Micah 6:14
You will eat but not be satisfied, and your hunger will remain with you. What you acquire, you will not preserve; and what you save, I will give over to the sword.

Jeremiah 19:3
And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.

Jeremiah 6:19
Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.

Isaiah 28:19
As often as it passes through it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be sheer terror to understand the message.

Lamentations 4:10
The hands of compassionate women have boiled their own children; they became their food during the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Isaiah 9:20
They slice meat on the right, but are still hungry, and they devour on the left, but are not satisfied; each devours the flesh of his own arm,

Amos 3:6
Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?

Numbers 21:6 So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.

Lamentations 4:10-11
The hands of the compassionate women
Have cooked their own children;
They became food for them
In the destruction of the daughter of my people.
11 The LORD has fulfilled His fury,
He has poured out His fierce anger.
He kindled a fire in Zion,
And it has devoured its foundations

1 Kings 22:21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’
22 The LORD said to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the LORD said, ‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’

1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Jeremiah 4:10
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.

Friend, ... maybe if you would narrow down your question, and present it clearly... we might be able to help you ..

 

[Believer08]

Friend, ... maybe if you would narrow down your question, and present it clearly... we might be able to help you ..

Sorry…was wondering how we could help others (and myself would also be learning) how to reconcile those verses with God’s love, goodness, mercy, compassion, kindness, etc etc.

 

[Dino246]

Sorry…was wondering how we could help others (and myself would also be learning) how to reconcile those verses with God’s love, goodness, mercy, compassion, kindness, etc etc.

Start with His holiness. Add to that the fact that He is the Creator, and consider this:

Romans 9:14-24 NASB

14 "What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? Far from it! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I show compassion.” 16 So then, it does not depend on the person who wants it nor the one who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very reason I raised you up, in order to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20 On the contrary, who are you, you foolish person, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21 Or does the potter not have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one object for honorable use, and another for common use? 22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with great patience objects of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon objects of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 namely us, whom He also called, not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles"

For myself, I am confident of God's justice and His goodness. I am certain that, at the judgment, no person will be in His debt, whether for good or "evil" (judgment).

 

[Rob7]

Sorry…was wondering how we could help others (and myself would also be learning) how to reconcile those verses with God’s love, goodness, mercy, compassion, kindness, etc etc.

1. The Purpose of Judgment in the Prophetic Books
a. Judgment as a loving corrective
Both the KJV stress that divine judgment is not an arbitrary outburst of cruelty, but a purposeful act of love aimed at turning a people back to righteousness. In Ezekiel 4‑5, the prophet is instructed to enact “defiled” bread and other symbolic acts so that Israel may see the consequences of their sin (Ezekiel 4:12‑15; 5:17). These dramatizations were “a severe warning, meant to awaken a slumbering nation” (Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 378). The severity of the symbols underscores the seriousness of the spiritual danger, not a lack of divine compassion.

b. The “greater good” of discipline
Hebrew Scripture repeatedly frames punishment as a form of discipline that a loving Father gives to a wayward child (cf. Proverbs 3:11‑12). “God’s chastening hand is a sign of His tender concern for the soul; He would rather see the sinner humbled and restored than left in prideful rebellion”. The harsh imagery therefore serves a restorative aim, even when the immediate experience feels brutal.

2. God’s Character Remains Constant
a. Love is the foundation of all actions
The New Testament makes explicit what the Old Testament hints at: God’s love is the motive behind every decree.  John 3:16 declares that “God so loved the world…that He gave His only begotten Son.” “the love of Christ is the very essence of the Father’s character”. Consequently, even the judgments listed are expressions of that same love—‑they are the means by which God seeks to rescue humanity from self‑destruction.

b. Mercy and compassion coexist with judgment
Mercy does not mean the absence of consequence. In Psalm 103:8‑10 we read that God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy,” yet He “shall not always purge us.” The merciful nature of God is never compromised; He merely allows the natural results of sin to unfold so that the sinner may perceive the need of a Savior. The “floods, famines, beasts” are the natural outcomes of a fallen world, permitted rather than manufactured.

3. Historical‑Cultural Context
a. Prophetic hyperbole
Many of the verses you cited employ vivid, hyperbolic language typical of ancient Near‑Eastern prophecy. The purpose was to shock the audience into repentance. For instance, Jeremiah 19 speaks of cannibalism as a metaphor for utter societal collapse, not a literal prescription (Jeremiah 19:9).

b. Covenantal relationship
The Old Testament covenant was conditional: blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). The curses listed (wild beasts, famine, siege) are the logical result of breaking that covenant, not capricious cruelty. The covenant itself is rooted in God’s desire for a holy people who reflect His character (cf. Leviticus 19:2). The covenant was a loving contract, designed to bring the people into a harmonious relationship with their Creator.

4. The Redemptive Arc – From Judgment to Grace
a. Christ as the fulfillment of mercy
All the prophetic warnings point forward to the ultimate expression of God’s love: the incarnation and sacrificial death of Jesus. Where the Old Testament depicts temporary judgments, the New Testament reveals eternal mercy. The suffering of the Israelites prepared the way for the greater sacrifice of the Son, who would bear the penalty for all mankind”.

b. Restoration after judgment
Even after the most severe judgments, Scripture promises restoration. Ezekiel 33:21‑22 shows that after the mouth of the prophet is opened, “the people shall know that I am the LORD.” This as the moment when “the veil of sin is lifted and the heart is softened to receive the gospel. The ultimate goal of the harsh visions is to bring the people to that point of repentance and renewal.

5. Practical Takeaways for Believers

1. Recognize the dual reality – God’s love and His righteous judgment are not mutually exclusive; they are two sides of the same divine character.
2. Read the prophetic texts in their literary genre – Understand the symbolic, hyperbolic style intended to provoke moral awakening.
3. Seek the underlying purpose – The vivid warnings are meant to turn hearts toward the mercy that will later be fully revealed in Christ.
4. Apply the principle of compassionate correction – In personal and communal life, discipline should flow from love, aiming at restoration rather than mere punishment.
5. Trust the redemptive narrative – Even when faced with the darkest biblical depictions, the overarching story points to a God who ultimately defeats sin through grace.

Closing Thought
The Bible, when read as a whole, presents a God whose primary attribute is love, yet who, in love, does not shy away from administering just consequences. The severity of God’s judgments is always tempered with His boundless compassion; He would rather see a repentant sinner than a proud, unrepentant one. By holding the prophetic warnings alongside the New‑Testament revelation of Christ’s mercy, we can see a coherent picture: a divine plan that moves from warning, through disciplined correction, to ultimate redemption—a journey that reflects the fullness of God’s love, goodness, mercy, compassion, and kindness.

 

[Believer08]

1. The Purpose of Judgment in the Prophetic Books
a. Judgment as a loving corrective
Both the KJV stress that divine judgment is not an arbitrary outburst of cruelty, but a purposeful act of love aimed at turning a people back to righteousness. In Ezekiel 4‑5, the prophet is instructed to enact “defiled” bread and other symbolic acts so that Israel may see the consequences of their sin (Ezekiel 4:12‑15; 5:17). These dramatizations were “a severe warning, meant to awaken a slumbering nation” (Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 378). The severity of the symbols underscores the seriousness of the spiritual danger, not a lack of divine compassion.

b. The “greater good” of discipline
Hebrew Scripture repeatedly frames punishment as a form of discipline that a loving Father gives to a wayward child (cf. Proverbs 3:11‑12). “God’s chastening hand is a sign of His tender concern for the soul; He would rather see the sinner humbled and restored than left in prideful rebellion”. The harsh imagery therefore serves a restorative aim, even when the immediate experience feels brutal.

2. God’s Character Remains Constant
a. Love is the foundation of all actions
The New Testament makes explicit what the Old Testament hints at: God’s love is the motive behind every decree.  John 3:16 declares that “God so loved the world…that He gave His only begotten Son.” “the love of Christ is the very essence of the Father’s character”. Consequently, even the judgments listed are expressions of that same love—‑they are the means by which God seeks to rescue humanity from self‑destruction.

b. Mercy and compassion coexist with judgment
Mercy does not mean the absence of consequence. In Psalm 103:8‑10 we read that God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy,” yet He “shall not always purge us.” The merciful nature of God is never compromised; He merely allows the natural results of sin to unfold so that the sinner may perceive the need of a Savior. The “floods, famines, beasts” are the natural outcomes of a fallen world, permitted rather than manufactured.

3. Historical‑Cultural Context
a. Prophetic hyperbole
Many of the verses you cited employ vivid, hyperbolic language typical of ancient Near‑Eastern prophecy. The purpose was to shock the audience into repentance. For instance, Jeremiah 19 speaks of cannibalism as a metaphor for utter societal collapse, not a literal prescription (Jeremiah 19:9).

b. Covenantal relationship
The Old Testament covenant was conditional: blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). The curses listed (wild beasts, famine, siege) are the logical result of breaking that covenant, not capricious cruelty. The covenant itself is rooted in God’s desire for a holy people who reflect His character (cf. Leviticus 19:2). The covenant was a loving contract, designed to bring the people into a harmonious relationship with their Creator.

4. The Redemptive Arc – From Judgment to Grace
a. Christ as the fulfillment of mercy
All the prophetic warnings point forward to the ultimate expression of God’s love: the incarnation and sacrificial death of Jesus. Where the Old Testament depicts temporary judgments, the New Testament reveals eternal mercy. The suffering of the Israelites prepared the way for the greater sacrifice of the Son, who would bear the penalty for all mankind”.

b. Restoration after judgment
Even after the most severe judgments, Scripture promises restoration. Ezekiel 33:21‑22 shows that after the mouth of the prophet is opened, “the people shall know that I am the LORD.” This as the moment when “the veil of sin is lifted and the heart is softened to receive the gospel. The ultimate goal of the harsh visions is to bring the people to that point of repentance and renewal.

5. Practical Takeaways for Believers

1. Recognize the dual reality – God’s love and His righteous judgment are not mutually exclusive; they are two sides of the same divine character.
2. Read the prophetic texts in their literary genre – Understand the symbolic, hyperbolic style intended to provoke moral awakening.
3. Seek the underlying purpose – The vivid warnings are meant to turn hearts toward the mercy that will later be fully revealed in Christ.
4. Apply the principle of compassionate correction – In personal and communal life, discipline should flow from love, aiming at restoration rather than mere punishment.
5. Trust the redemptive narrative – Even when faced with the darkest biblical depictions, the overarching story points to a God who ultimately defeats sin through grace.

Closing Thought
The Bible, when read as a whole, presents a God whose primary attribute is love, yet who, in love, does not shy away from administering just consequences. The severity of God’s judgments is always tempered with His boundless compassion; He would rather see a repentant sinner than a proud, unrepentant one. By holding the prophetic warnings alongside the New‑Testament revelation of Christ’s mercy, we can see a coherent picture: a divine plan that moves from warning, through disciplined correction, to ultimate redemption—a journey that reflects the fullness of God’s love, goodness, mercy, compassion, and kindness.

Where did you find this?

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

God's LOVE And Also His 'Justice'?
Yes, I believe so:

Undiluted Wrath and Undiluted Grace!

Hope this helps.

Amen.

 

[Believer08]

My thoughts:
Leviticus 26:22 is in the context of judgment for wickedness. So is Jeremiah 19:9. That is a judgment passage you could say. It's a prophetic oracle of judgment and warning. Same for Deuteronomy 32:24. 2 Kings 17:25. Jeremiah 15:3. Ezekiel 5:17. Ezekiel 14:15. Leviticus 26:26. Psalm 105:16. Isaiah 3:1. Micah 6:14. Jeremiah 19:3. Jeremiah 6:19. Lamentations 4:10. Isaiah 9:20. Amos 3:6. Numbers 21:6. Lamentations 4:10-11.

Just about every single one of these is what we would call prophetic warning/oracle of judgment. They describe the consequences or judgments that would come upon the people for rebellion and wickedness.

And none of this is cruel. The moment we think it's cruel is the moment that we have a wrong view of God. The moment we think that God done something wrong and cruel, we need to step back and remember the core of who God is. It's love (1 Jn. 4:8. God did not want to bring judgment upon them (Jer. 18:8) as He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:30-32). They brought it on themselves. Nothing that God does is cruel. The moment that we think that, we need to get back to realizing, the God of the Bible is not cruel and cannot do anything cruel. He is not a God that has pleasure in wickedness, neither evil shall dwell with him (Ps. 5:4). The moment that we think he does do something cruel, is the moment that we are no longer thinking correctly and honestly about him. And we are no longer talking about the biblical God, when we think that about him, because everything that God does is perfect, as He’s without iniquity (Deut 32:4). His judgments are righteous judgments and true (Ps. 119:160, 19:9). And so every single judgment that he brings on those people are righteous judgments. It's not cruel at all. What is cruel is what they were doing. That's what's cruel. Breaking their covenant. Knowing what they were doing was wrong. Not caring. Wanting to withdraw themselves from God, who protected them. Instead, they ran off and wanted to be like the pagans. That's what's cruel. Turning their back on the God of salvation.

When it got to the point that God had to bring judgment upon them, they were deep-seated in wickedness, in rebellion. They were doing some extremely wicked and heinous stuff. It had to be stopped. God would not be a just and loving God if he allowed that to continue. They weren’t going to repent. And he gave them time and time again, and he warned them, and he told them not to do it. And they didn't listen. They did not listen. This judgment is basically God saying, you know what? If you want to be like those people, if you want to live and be like those people, then if you don't want to have nothing to do with me, then okay. This is how it's going to be. If you want to be like the pagans, then fine. Here, have at it. Look what's going to happen to your family. And so, in a way, God withdrew his protection, and they brought judgment on themselves. They'd done it to themselves.

Leviticus 18 and Leviticus 20, sheds light on Leviticus 26:22. These behaviors that the other nations were doing were so evil, it was as if the land vomited them up (Lev 18:25). The land didn’t want any of their wickedness. Symbolic/figurative. It’s a strong metaphor for how evil they were. One of those abominable customs, would involve passing their children through fire (Lev. 18). They’d offer their children up to a pagan god named Molech, that, that the Gentiles somehow invented, and so they done all kind of wicked and evil stuff.

This is not a random arbitrary judgment that they did not know about. This was nothing that would be like surprising to them. This was not a spur-of-the-moment event and it was not the norm. This was not the norm. This was not an everyday thing. This was judgment. And if we read the context, they knew better. They knew what would happen. They might not have known the exact specifics, but they knew better. They knew not to disobey God. When you look at it, it is their own fault. It's the fault of their parents. And the term children is a very broad term used in the scriptures when you look into the language of child/children. Example, children of Israel. That’s referring to the entire groups or the nation. Regardless, whether little ones were involved, the parents didn’t care one bit, as they were corrupting their kids by teaching them pagan ways, and sacrificing them to Molech. And if their parents weren’t stopped, the children would be on that burning altar at the hands of their parents.

“They sacrificed to demons, not to God…” — Deuteronomy 32:17

“…the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:20

I would say every one of those judgments that happened, was due to their iniquity being full (Gen. 15:16).

Thanks for reading!!!!

 

[God-fearing]

We have a Holy and just God who is righteous in all things.
Imo Israel as a nation was and is a example of this to all the world. The History of Israel and its judgements shows a Devine intervention of the one true and living God.
Many fail to see this as a testimony of God himself. A never changing God and a respecter of no people.
As Paul said ....not sparing his own son.
The difference lays in the relationship, he destroys the wicked but chasens a son.
God always had a remnant left which repented and was restored. Un like say Sodom who were not in any covenant relationship nor pursued such a thing.
We have many people today practicing the same paganistic things as in old testament Israel. Our society teaches our young many things that are of the same wickedness.
The Lord says come out from among them.
Im sure if you look you can see the similarities in todays society and how it pressures not only our young but even grown christians.

 

[GWH]

1. The Purpose of Judgment in the Prophetic Books
a. Judgment as a loving corrective
Both the KJV stress that divine judgment is not an arbitrary outburst of cruelty, but a purposeful act of love aimed at turning a people back to righteousness. In Ezekiel 4‑5, the prophet is instructed to enact “defiled” bread and other symbolic acts so that Israel may see the consequences of their sin (Ezekiel 4:12‑15; 5:17). These dramatizations were “a severe warning, meant to awaken a slumbering nation” (Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 378). The severity of the symbols underscores the seriousness of the spiritual danger, not a lack of divine compassion.

b. The “greater good” of discipline
Hebrew Scripture repeatedly frames punishment as a form of discipline that a loving Father gives to a wayward child (cf. Proverbs 3:11‑12). “God’s chastening hand is a sign of His tender concern for the soul; He would rather see the sinner humbled and restored than left in prideful rebellion”. The harsh imagery therefore serves a restorative aim, even when the immediate experience feels brutal.

2. God’s Character Remains Constant
a. Love is the foundation of all actions
The New Testament makes explicit what the Old Testament hints at: God’s love is the motive behind every decree.  John 3:16 declares that “God so loved the world…that He gave His only begotten Son.” “the love of Christ is the very essence of the Father’s character”. Consequently, even the judgments listed are expressions of that same love—‑they are the means by which God seeks to rescue humanity from self‑destruction.

b. Mercy and compassion coexist with judgment
Mercy does not mean the absence of consequence. In Psalm 103:8‑10 we read that God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy,” yet He “shall not always purge us.” The merciful nature of God is never compromised; He merely allows the natural results of sin to unfold so that the sinner may perceive the need of a Savior. The “floods, famines, beasts” are the natural outcomes of a fallen world, permitted rather than manufactured.

3. Historical‑Cultural Context
a. Prophetic hyperbole
Many of the verses you cited employ vivid, hyperbolic language typical of ancient Near‑Eastern prophecy. The purpose was to shock the audience into repentance. For instance, Jeremiah 19 speaks of cannibalism as a metaphor for utter societal collapse, not a literal prescription (Jeremiah 19:9).

b. Covenantal relationship
The Old Testament covenant was conditional: blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). The curses listed (wild beasts, famine, siege) are the logical result of breaking that covenant, not capricious cruelty. The covenant itself is rooted in God’s desire for a holy people who reflect His character (cf. Leviticus 19:2). The covenant was a loving contract, designed to bring the people into a harmonious relationship with their Creator.

4. The Redemptive Arc – From Judgment to Grace
a. Christ as the fulfillment of mercy
All the prophetic warnings point forward to the ultimate expression of God’s love: the incarnation and sacrificial death of Jesus. Where the Old Testament depicts temporary judgments, the New Testament reveals eternal mercy. The suffering of the Israelites prepared the way for the greater sacrifice of the Son, who would bear the penalty for all mankind”.

b. Restoration after judgment
Even after the most severe judgments, Scripture promises restoration. Ezekiel 33:21‑22 shows that after the mouth of the prophet is opened, “the people shall know that I am the LORD.” This as the moment when “the veil of sin is lifted and the heart is softened to receive the gospel. The ultimate goal of the harsh visions is to bring the people to that point of repentance and renewal.

5. Practical Takeaways for Believers

1. Recognize the dual reality – God’s love and His righteous judgment are not mutually exclusive; they are two sides of the same divine character.
2. Read the prophetic texts in their literary genre – Understand the symbolic, hyperbolic style intended to provoke moral awakening.
3. Seek the underlying purpose – The vivid warnings are meant to turn hearts toward the mercy that will later be fully revealed in Christ.
4. Apply the principle of compassionate correction – In personal and communal life, discipline should flow from love, aiming at restoration rather than mere punishment.
5. Trust the redemptive narrative – Even when faced with the darkest biblical depictions, the overarching story points to a God who ultimately defeats sin through grace.

Closing Thought
The Bible, when read as a whole, presents a God whose primary attribute is love, yet who, in love, does not shy away from administering just consequences. The severity of God’s judgments is always tempered with His boundless compassion; He would rather see a repentant sinner than a proud, unrepentant one. By holding the prophetic warnings alongside the New‑Testament revelation of Christ’s mercy, we can see a coherent picture: a divine plan that moves from warning, through disciplined correction, to ultimate redemption—a journey that reflects the fullness of God’s love, goodness, mercy, compassion, and kindness.

Excellent points! Here is what I would add:

The Bible says that God is love and true love comes from God (1John 4:7-21, Rom. 5:5), so volitional creatures or souls can love only by reflecting, imitating or cooperating with the Creator’s love. Although the Bible speaks of God hating Esau (Mal. 1:3) and other evil people (Hos. 9:15), Jesus’ teaching of love for enemies (Matt. 5:44) reveals that God loves all creatures including Satan but hates their sinful choices (Ezek. 33:11). Seven NT pearls teach divine omnilove: 1John 4:7-12, Rom. 5:8, Matt. 5:44&48, Gal. 5:6&14, Eph. 3:17b-19, Eph. 5:2 and 1Tim. 2:3-4.

The Bible also teaches that God is justness or righteousness (Rom. 3:25-26, 9:14, 2Thes. 1:6). This doctrine is called theodicy. It means that we should be careful lest our explanations of God’s will seem unloving or unfair. If a person cannot explain how a loving God could order the execution of babies (Josh. 6:17, 8:2), then possibly He did not do so. Another synonym for justness is goodness (Isa. 5:16).

A Scripture-based hermeneutic begins by believing that a person should triangulate from two key NT teachings in order to arrive at a correct understanding of problematic OT statements:

First, God loves and wants to save everyone (1Tim. 2:3-4, Ezek. 33:11, Acts 17:26-28); Christ died to show God’s love and the possible salvation of all (Rom. 5:6-8) including His enemies (ungodly, atheist, anti-Christ).

Second, God is just (2Thes. 1:6a, cf. Rom. 3:25-26 & 9:14, Deut. 32:4, Psa. 36:6, Luke 11:42, Rev. 15:3). All explanations of reality and interpretations of Scripture should conform to this certitude: “The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” (Psa. 145:17) The Judge is just. It would be better not to attempt an explanation of God’s Word than to state one that impugns God’s justice and love for all people (Joel 2:13, John 3:16).

Even the wrath of God is an expression of His love. Hebrews 12:4-11 offers the clue for harmonizing these two themes. This passage indicates that divine wrath is intended as discipline: to teach people to repent of their hatefulness or faithlessness (Pro. 3:12, Isa. 33:14-15 Rev. 3:19) before they die, after which divine wrath will be experienced justly without the opportunity for repentance.

If a righteous explanation cannot be found for a passage, then it should be considered as historical or descriptive of what occurred rather than as pedagogical or prescriptive of how people should behave. Of course, because God is loving and just, He does not tempt, trick, confuse or otherwise contribute to anyone’s sinfulness. On the contrary, God must be doing all that He can do without abrogating justice or volition (MFW) to influence people not to be deceived and become self-condemned (Jam. 1:13-17, Tit. 3:11, Isa. 45:19).

 

[Believer08]

“Start with God’s Character” Principle

Whenever you come across a difficult passage about God’s actions or teachings, the first thing to do is start with God’s character. God is love (1 Jn. 4:8), holy (Is. 6:3), righteous (Ps. 7:9), just (Deut. 32:4), merciful and good (Ex. 34:6). Whatever He says or does in Scripture must be understood within that unchanging nature (Mal. 3:6; cf. Heb. 13:8).

So when something seems harsh, confusing, or inconsistent, the solution isn’t to question God’s goodness — it’s to re-examine our understanding in light of who He is.

If a conclusion makes God appear cruel, partial, or unjust, then the interpretation—not God—is the problem.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

We have a Holy and just God who is righteous in all things.
Imo Israel as a nation was and is a example of this to all the world.

Have you even read the OT with understanding? Israel was anything but righteous in all things. God said his name was blasphemed among the nations because of Israel's behavior. And how blind can you be to think modern Israel is? Just unbelievable.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Un like say Sodom who were not in any covenant relationship nor pursued such a thing.

Funny you should mention this. What does God call Sodom in Revelation?

And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Revelation 11:8​

 

[God-fearing]

Have you even read the OT with understanding? Israel was anything but righteous in all things. God said his name was blasphemed among the nations because of Israel's behavior. And how blind can you be to think modern Israel is? Just unbelievable.

You have been relentless in your pursuit to discredit Israel in any and all views. Your understanding discredits God's faithfulness towards any people.
For while we were yet sinners Christ died for us...... All have sinned and fall short of his glory.......
Never siad that Israel or anyone was righteous except one, God himself. No one is good except the father..God.
The very sins of Israel you my friend are or were guilty of all of us are or were? Should you or I or whom soever collect our wages of sin now?
The faithfulness of God will prevail over all. His mercy endureth forever. Mercy triumphs over judgment And that is what Christ is all about. Have you noticed read the whole Bible. You seem to have a trait that the dragon in Revelation has to pursue the women an manchild. Have you also read the prophets that God shall save his people for his (Gods) name sake

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

You have been relentless in your pursuit to discredit Israel in any and all views.

Have you also read the prophets that God shall save his people for his (Gods) name sake

I'm discrediting your errant view of scripture.

Yes, they prophesied of a restored spiritual nation ruled by God alone, the holy nation of priests Peter also wrote about, that was born on the day of Pentecost nearly 2000 years ago.

 

[God-fearing]

I'm discrediting your errant view of scripture.

Yes, they prophesied of a restored spiritual nation ruled by God alone, the holy nation of priests Peter also wrote about, that was born on the day of Pentecost nearly 2000 years ago.

We discussed this insight you had a time before where I agreed with you.
But in order to have a spiritual nation one must have a physical nation to work with in. God is not done with this Israel yet.
Nor is he done with any nation to date yet.
You tend to supersede prophecy and avoid the promises that the Lord spoke of. Ignoring the reign of Christ, and the restorations that
Follow before the white throne judgment.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

But in order to have a spiritual nation one must have a physical nation to work with in.

Uh no. That's not how it works anymore. Jerusalem, Zion and Israel are all now where Jesus is. That's why God calls what men call Jerusalem, Sodom and Egypt.

 

[Rob7]

Where did you find this?

I generated this response using a particular AI program. I loaded your Biblical scripture quotes that you referred to, in your original post, then "engineered the prompt" ... posing the question, using your original question;
" how we could help others, how to reconcile those verses with God’s love, goodness, mercy, compassion, kindness?"

Then, I prompted AI: [ According to Ellen G White's writings and the KJV Bible; " how we could help others, how to reconcile those verses with God’s love, goodness, mercy, compassion, kindness, in relation to the following Bible verses? ( your scripture quotes followed) ]
... what I posted was what AI gleaned from EGW's lifetime of Bible scripture, The Word Jesus, commentary writings, ( Holy Spirit inspired) AND the King James Bible presentation of The Word. ( rather than eg. the NIV )

I use EGW's Bible commentary, as it is the most pure biblical Truth, commentary, second only to the Bible itself. ALL other modern commentaries as well as modern Bible versions, not based on the Textus Receptus line of scripture have been corrupted by the Antichrist spirit in the world, to further the RCC's agenda of promotion of the Dragon, The Beast & the False Prophet of Rev. 13.
You can get these same results, yourself ...
Blessings Brother

 

[LightBearer316]

Ezekiel 4:12ff “And you shall eat it as barley cakes; and bake it using fuel of human waste in their sight.”
13 Then the LORD said, “So shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, where I will drive them.”
14 So I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Indeed I have never defiled myself from my youth till now; I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has abominable flesh ever come into my mouth.”
15 Then He said to me, “See, I am giving you cow dung instead of human waste, and you shall prepare your bread over it.”

Ezekiel 24:16ff “Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, nor shall your tears run down. Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man’s bread of sorrow.”So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and the next morning I did as I was commanded.

Ezekiel 3:24–27
“Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house.
But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:
And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house.
But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD…”

Ezekiel 24:26–27
“That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears.
In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 33:21–22
“And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.
Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.”

Isaiah 20:2-3 at the same time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and remove the sackcloth from your body, and take your sandals off your feet.” And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
3 Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia,

Jeremiah 19:9 “And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and everyone shall eat the flesh of his friend in the siege and in the desperation with which their enemies and those who seek their lives shall drive them to despair.” ’

Leviticus 26:22
I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.

Deuteronomy 32:24 They will be wasted from hunger, ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague; I will send the fangs of wild beasts against them, with the venom of vipers that slither in the dust.

2 Kings 17:25
Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

Jeremiah 15:3
l will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Ezekiel 5:17
I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken."

Ezekiel 14:15
Or if I send wild beasts through the land and they bereave it so that it becomes desolate, with no man passing through for fear of the beasts,

Leviticus 26:26
When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied.

Psalm 105:16
He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.

Isaiah 3:1
For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of bread and water,

Micah 6:14
You will eat but not be satisfied, and your hunger will remain with you. What you acquire, you will not preserve; and what you save, I will give over to the sword.

Jeremiah 19:3
And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.

Jeremiah 6:19
Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.

Isaiah 28:19
As often as it passes through it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be sheer terror to understand the message.

Lamentations 4:10
The hands of compassionate women have boiled their own children; they became their food during the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Isaiah 9:20
They slice meat on the right, but are still hungry, and they devour on the left, but are not satisfied; each devours the flesh of his own arm,

Amos 3:6
Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?

Numbers 21:6 So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.

Lamentations 4:10-11
The hands of the compassionate women
Have cooked their own children;
They became food for them
In the destruction of the daughter of my people.
11 The LORD has fulfilled His fury,
He has poured out His fierce anger.
He kindled a fire in Zion,
And it has devoured its foundations

1 Kings 22:21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’
22 The LORD said to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the LORD said, ‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’

1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Jeremiah 4:10
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.

Prophetic Actions as Living Parables

• Ezekiel eating defiled bread (Ezek. 4:12–15) symbolized Israel’s future exile and the shame of eating unclean food among the nations.
• Isaiah walking naked and barefoot (Isa. 20:2–3) dramatized the humiliation awaiting Egypt and Ethiopia.
• Ezekiel’s wife’s sudden death (Ezek. 24:16–18) was a sign of the grief that would strike Israel when the temple — “the desire of their eyes” — was destroyed.

These weren’t acts of cruelty from God; they were prophetic theater designed to make Israel see what they refused to hear.

God’s Judgments Were Just — and Meant to Correct

The recurring themes of famine, wild beasts, disease, siege, and sword (Lev. 26:22; Ezek. 5:17; Deut. 32:24) show a pattern of escalating correction for persistent rebellion.
Each judgment fits within God’s covenant warnings in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 — consequences Israel had agreed to when they entered the covenant.

Even the horrifying imagery (eating their own children during siege — Lam. 4:10; Jer. 19:9) fulfills the warnings of Deut. 28:53–57.
It’s not that God delighted in these things; it’s that sin naturally leads to ruin, and God allowed that ruin to run its full course to bring repentance.

Prophets as Signs of Both Judgment and Mercy

Ezekiel being struck mute (Ezek. 3:26–27; 24:27; 33:22) symbolized God’s silence toward a rebellious people — until the news of Jerusalem’s fall.
When his mouth was finally opened, it marked not just judgment fulfilled but hope restored — the beginning of God’s promise to rebuild and renew.

Even in wrath, God remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2). Every hard prophecy carries within it an invitation to return to Him.

Those are a lot so I didn't have time to do them all...

Grace and Peace
Acts 17:11 (KJV)
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”