 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
More Ezekiel commentaries
Ezekiel 15:1-8
The Outcast Vine
Ezekiel 16:1-14
God’s Love for Jerusalem
Ezekiel 16:15-30
Jerusalem’s Harlotry
Ezekiel 16:31-43
Jerusalem’s Adultery
Ezekiel 16:44-63
A Symbol of Total Corruption
Ezekiel 17:1-24
Two Eagles and the Vine
Ezekiel 18:1-18
A False Proverb Refuted
Ezekiel 19:1-14
Israel Degraded
Ezekiel 20:1-16
The Rebellions of Israel
Ezekiel 20:17-32
Ezekiel Reinforces the Law
Ezekiel 20:33-49
God Will Restore Israel
Ezekiel 21:1-7
God’s Judgment Sword Drawn
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
A False Proverb Refuted
Ezekiel 18:1–18
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
A very poor holy man lived in a remote part of China. Every day before his time of meditation in order to show his devotion, he put a dish of butter up on the window sill as an offering to God, since food was so scarce. One day his cat came in and ate the butter. To remedy … More
The people of Judah believed they were being punished for the sins of their ancestors and not their own. This proverb that the children were suffering for the sins of their fathers had been circulating in Jerusalem and Babylon (vv. 1-2). While there are cumulative effects of sin by a group (Mt 23:35-36), the Lord declares that each individual is accountable for his own sin. The people are incorrect in saying that judgment has taken place because of their father’s sinfulness (vv.3-4). All individuals have an equal responsibility to God. It is only the one whose life is characterized by sin that will die.
If a man is just, he is just before God by virtue of a regenerated life (vv. 5-9). From his innermost being, such a man will seek to live a life of outward righteousness. One of the ways this reflects itself is by outward observance of the Law. This wicked son of a righteous father cannot have his life spared because of his father. (vv. 10-13). His personal life is the factor that calls for his death.
Family traditions were very important to the Jews but God made it clear that people should not follow a tradition of sin. (vv. 14-18). Although we often suffer from the effects of sins committed by those who came before us, God does not punish for someone else’s sins, and we can’t use their mistakes as an excuse for our sins. Each person is accountable to God for his or her actions.Application
Although my family is a powerful influence on my life, my actions are not determined by them. No matter what type of family I came from I must never choose to follow a pattern or practice of sin, but must choose to believe in God and obey Him.
Ezekiel 18:1-18 (English Standard Version)
The word of the LORD came to me: "What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die. "If a man is righteous and does what is just and right-- if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully--he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord GOD. "If he fathers a son who is violent, a shedder of blood, who does any of these things (though he himself did none of these things), who even eats upon the mountains, defiles his neighbor's wife, oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore the pledge, lifts up his eyes to the idols, commits abomination, lends at interest, and takes profit; shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself. "Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise: he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife, does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, withholds his hand from iniquity, takes no interest or profit, obeys my rules, and walks in my statutes; he shall not die for his father's iniquity; he shall surely live. As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity."
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
Post your comment or question below.