By Rev. David Domanski. March 23, 2025 (Ezekiel 33:7-20)
When we want to emphasize the effectiveness of something, we may say, “it has teeth.” Try to cut steak with a butter knife, and you’ll experience a long meal. If you have false teeth, try taking them out and then eating corn on the cob. It just doesn’t work! Civil laws work better today if they have teeth. People may drive excessively over the speed limit knowing that if they get caught, they’ll receive only a minimal fine. But if the law has teeth and the fine is considerable, folks may think twice about driving with a heavy foot.
Ezekiel was called by God to be his watchman to the children of Israel. He went into exile with the first wave of those taken captive. Many were predicting a short stay in Babylon, but Ezekiel warned them to repent, for their stay would be long. As God’s spokesman, Ezekiel became a watchman. In Old Testament times, a watchman would stand on the highest point of the city wall and, by blowing a trumpet, he would inform the people of approaching danger, of an incoming messenger, or of the progress of a battle. Ezekiel was sent to inform God’s people of their sin. As watchman, Ezekiel issued his warning so that Israel would repent of its sin and experience the new life that only God could impart to them. Ezekiel’s message of repentance and faith—of Law and Gospel—was not to be taken lightly. God’s Word is effective. God’s Word has teeth. In fact, the teeth of God’s Word compel us to live lives of repentance and faith.
God’s Word has teeth that work even in the warning of the watchman. We and Ezekiel are warned that if we do not warn the wicked to repent, not only will the people die (a certainty!), but the watchman will be responsible for their death (v. 8). And we’re also shown God’s gospel grace because if we warn the wicked and they do not repent, then even though they will die, the watchman has done his duty (v. 9).
And, of course, God’s Word has teeth to work repentance in us as well as in the hearts of the people we are called to warn against sin—the teeth are God’s Law. When God, through His watchman, warns us of our sin, it is a serious matter. We know that sin leads to eternal death, for “the soul who sins shall die” (18:4; cf. 18:13, 18, 20, 24, 26). Our good works and self-righteousness cannot save us (v. 13; 1 Cor 10:12), and so we are hopeless if we do not repent.
We don’t like the teeth of God’s Law; we feel that God’s judgement is often unjust (vv. 17–19). We tell ourselves in our pride that “God’s evaluation of our situation is too harsh. Surely there is goodness in us (cf. Rom 3:23)!” But to that argument, God assures us that it is only in He is perfectly good and just, and so God judges us accordingly (v. 20). But what the unrepentant sinner misses is that when the Law has done its work, there’s no need to despair, as the house of Israel thought (v. 10). Rather, the Law shows us not only our incapacity to save ourselves, but the Law also highlights God’s love and mercy in the salvation of the Jesus’ cross.
When we fully appreciate the work of God’s Law, we see that God’s Word also has teeth that cut quite the opposite way—the Word also has teeth that are effective for our salvation. Can we accurately say that the Good News of Jesus has “teeth?” I think we can.
When God’s Law has convicted us of our sin, we turn to Him in repentance and faith, asking with the Israelites, “How then can we live?” (v. 10; cf. vv 14–15). God makes His promise with an oath (with teeth!): “As I live, declares the Lord GOD” (v. 11). God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (v. 11). His reason for using the Law is to have us turn from our sin (repent) and live (2 Peter 3:9).
We have new life through Jesus, our Savior. Jesus didn’t just talk to us about love; He gave us His love with teeth in it—Jesus acted in love by going the way of suffering and death on the cross. On Calvary, Jesus suffered the wrath of God’s punishment, the ultimate in punishment, punishment with teeth, as He died on the cross . . . and not for anything He had done wrong, but for your sins and mine. As Jesus shed His innocent blood on the cross, justice was served, and atonement for sin was made once and for all. Jesus’ death had teeth, as we see proof of that in the temple curtain that was torn in two at the moment He died (Matthew 27:51).
We also have proof of the “teeth” of Christ’s salvation for us in His resurrection. No stone was blocking the entrance to the tomb, and so we can be assured that death has no power over Him (Luke 24:6).
Likewise, through His means of grace, God’s works have teeth in bringing about repentance and saving faith in our lives every day. Through leading us into confession of our sins, God kills our sinful hearts by the Law and then transforms our hearts through the grace of absolution (Ezekiel 11:19). Our faith is strengthened through a life of repentance as we daily drown our sinful nature by remembering our Baptism. Our sanctified life is uplifted as our own teeth touch Christ’s body and blood with His assurance of forgiveness in Holy Communion.
God asks you today and every day, the question He asks Israel, “Why will you die, O my beloved? I have sent you watchmen to show you your sin. When my Law has done its work, you need not despair, for ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live’ (v. 11).” And God now assures you, “Through my crucified and resurrected Son, you have new life—new life with teeth in it—now and for all of eternity!”
With this assurance, may you be at peace knowing that God loves you fiercely—so fiercely that His judgment and His mercy have teeth to them! May God’s Law and Gospel both keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus until He comes again. Amen.