God saves a few who seek him amidst his wrath

Then he said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it too light a thing for the house of Judah to commit the abominations that they commit here, that they should fill the land with violence and provoke me still further to anger? Behold, they put the branch to their nose. (Ezekiel 8:17 ESV)

This is the context for how sinful his people Judah are. They worship other idols even in the temple of God. Yet that is not enough they also have filled the land with violence killing innocents and bringing about bloodshed of others.

Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, "Bring near the executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand." And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his weapon for slaughter in his hand, and with them was a man clothed in linen, with a writing case at his waist. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar. And the Lord said to him, "Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it." And to the others he said in my hearing, "Pass through the city after him, and strike. Your eye shall not spare, and you shall show no pity. Kill old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women, but touch no one on whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were before the house. Then he said to them, "Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out." So they went out and struck in the city. And while they were striking, and I was left alone, I fell upon my face, and cried, "Ah, Lord God! Will you destroy all the remnant of Israel in the outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?"
(Ezekiel 9:1, 2, 4-8 ESV)

God is unleashing his terrible wrath without mercy on those who practice this idolatry and violence. Yet the few who but sigh and groan over the evil of their nation and their brothers and sisters. God will save them. For if they have even a tiny heart of compassion God will save them that they might live like he desires his people to live.

God there is still much of this that I can't understand, for example why you command the death of the little children. But I believe your forgiveness abounds and those same children in their hearts either mourn the evil or laugh and enjoy the violence. They to perhaps make a choice. Or instead their choice is decided by the sin of society in which they are raised and it corrupts them. Please God it is hard for us to read of your great wrath like this and to believe you are a loving and forgiving God. Please help us to understand both the greatness of sin, wrath and your love mercy and grace.
Amen