יחזקאל, פרק ל״ט, פסוק כ״ד

The consequences brought upon the people were not arbitrary; rather, they perfectly matched the severity of their wrongdoings. God dealt with the nation exactly as they deserved, ensuring that their punishment was a direct reflection of their sins.

As part of this process of judgment, God deliberately hid His face so that He would not see their distress. This intentional turning away is similar to a person who must punish someone else and averts his gaze from the one who is suffering. He looks away so that his feelings of pity are not triggered, knowing that if his mercy were awakened, it would prevent Him from completing the necessary and fully deserved punishment [מצודת דוד].