יחזקאל, פרק י״ח, פסוק כ״ג

A fundamental principle regarding God’s relationship with sinners is that He has no interest in their destruction. The primary approach among commentators is that God does not desire the death of wicked individuals while they are still entrenched in their sins. Instead, His true will is for them to correct their actions and choose life. Rather than punishing wrongdoers immediately, God extends their lives and shows immense patience. This delay is highly purposeful, designed to give them a genuine opportunity to repent, exactly as He did for King Manasseh [רד״ק].

Because His ultimate desire is for people to turn away from their negative paths, God accepts their repentance with love [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This divine patience and loving acceptance are what give the very concept of repentance its meaning and practical value. If God were to hold onto a person's past mistakes and continue to judge them for their earlier sins, there would be no benefit for anyone to straighten their path and change their ways [מצודת דוד].