“I shall random them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death.  O Death, where are your plagues?  O Sheol, where is your sting?  Compassion is hidden from my eyes.”  (ESV)

This prophecy, quoted by Paul in the magnificent conclusion to 1 Corinthians 15, was fulfilled in Christ who provided the ransom God promised here.  Here once again, though, we see God’s heart.  He will punish the people for their embrace of injustice and idolatry (and idolatry in whatever form it happens to take always leads to injustice), but He will not leave them there.  He will redeem them.  That redemption was fulfilled in Christ.  And, it is a redemption made available to all who would receive it.  We have all walked the path of Israel, the path of sin and rebellion.  In His justice, God allows us to taste the consequences of our choices, but in His love He has provided a way out through Christ.  We need only take it.