God did not just choose to have a people but to have a people for His name’s sake (Pss 23:3; 106:8; 1 John 2:12). Reconciliation brings with it responsibilities (Luke 12:48), and God’s plan has always been for His people to be a light to the nations (Deut 4:5–8; Isa 49:6; Matt 5:14; Phil 2:14–16). Israel, however, failed miserably at shining His light. They rebelled against His ordinances with more wickedness than the nations
Ezekiel 5:6–17