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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 18:19-32
Turn and Live
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
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Turn and Live
Ezekiel 18:19–32
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
One of the few mayors in the world to have his home number listed in the local telephone directory was Teddy Kollek of Jerusalem. Kollek decided to keep his phone number listed when he was first elected, and he has not regretted it. “It gives people a feeling of last r … More
In this passage the principle of individual accountability is reiterated and confirmed (vv.19-20). The principle that a son should not suffer for the sins of his father has been well established (II Kings 14:6; Deut 24:16). Perhaps a question had been raised from Exodus 20:5, referring to children of the third and fourth generation suffering for the sins of their fathers. It is true that children tend to inherit and follow the example of their fathers. But in such a case, the sin would be their own; and they would be suffering for their own sin.
It is impossible for a wicked man to turn from all his transgressions without regeneration (vv. 21-23). These next few verses have been used to teach that one can fall from grace (vv. 24-29). Such could not be the meaning. Rather, one who has merely an outward righteousness frequently departs into a life of wickedness because he has no inner Holy Spirit to guide him. His temporal life may be cut short; but eternal life, which he never had, cannot be lost.
Ezekiel’s solution to the problem of inherited guilt is for each person to have a changed life (vv. 30-32). The Lord’s burden for His people is that they have life, not death. But life will not be forced upon anyone who wishes to remain in his sin. The individual must personally respond and repent to have life. This is God’s work in us and not something we can do for ourselves (Psalm 51:10-12).
Application
I should never rejoice in the misfortunes of nonbelievers. Instead, I should do all I can, through the power of the Holy Spirit to bring them to faith in Christ.Ezekiel 18:19-32 (English Standard Version)
""Yet you say, 'Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?' When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. "But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die. "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live."
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