Okay, wasn’t expecting that. Pretty sure I’ve never made this observation before. Nothing in my devo archives from Ezekiel 6. But there it is. A broken God.

“Yet I [aka God] will leave some of you alive. When you have among the nations some who escape the sword, and when you are scattered through the countries, then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I have been broken over their whoring heart that has departed from me and over their eyes that go whoring after their idols.”

(Ezekiel 6:8-9a ESV)

I have been broken . . . that’s what’s being served up for this morning’s meal.

As I’m reading Ezekiel, observations of God are flying off the page. Observations about His anger and His fury (5:13). Of how He is a God who judges and punishes (7:3). Of how — because His rebellious people had so provoked Him to wrath — He would not spare nor would He have pity (7:4, 9). And for what ultimate purpose? That they would know that He is the LORD — a phrase repeated 8 times within Ezekiel chapters 5, 6, and 7. For His people’s good and for His glory, God wants to be known — and if not known in His kindness and provision, then known in His fury and punishment.

And among the things to know about God I stumble upon this observation: God can be broken.

Broken not as in wrecked or unfixable but broken as in crushed and hurt. Broken as in grieved (Ps. 78:40). Broken as in burdened and wearied (Is. 43:24). The persistent, hard-hearted, stiff-necked, betrayal of a people who had prostituted themselves with all manner of lifeless idols had devastated God (MSG). The Omnipotent One shattered (LEB) by His departing people. Thus says the LORD, “I have been broken.” Chew on that for a minute or two.

Oh, the heart of God. Not a frail heart, but a feeling heart. Not a distant heart, but a tender heart. Not a stony heart, but a seeking heart.

Oh, the condescension of God. To, in some manner and to some degree, allow His creation some insight into His heart.

I have been broken . . . What vulnerability!

And for what purpose? That we might know that He is the LORD.

I don’t want to be a heartbreaker. But I could be if not for the finished work of the cross and the imputed righteousness of the Redeemer.

Thank God for Calvary! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

What amazing grace! To God be the glory.