A False Proverb Refuted
January 11, 2021
Commentary
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 (NET)
1 The Lord’s message came to me: 2 “What do you mean by quoting this proverb concerning the land of Israel: “‘The fathers eat sour grapes, And the children’s teeth become numb?’
3 “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will not quote this proverb in Israel anymore! 4 Indeed! All lives are mine—the life of the father as well as the life of the son is mine. The one who sins will die.
5 “Suppose a man is righteous. He practices what is just and right, 6 does not eat pagan sacrifices on the mountains or pray to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife, does not approach a woman for marital relations during her period, 7 does not oppress anyone, but gives the debtor back whatever was given in pledge, does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and clothes the naked, 8 does not engage in usury or charge interest, but refrains from wrongdoing, promotes true justice between men, 9 and follows my statutes and observes my regulations by carrying them out. That man is righteous; he will certainly live, declares the Sovereign Lord.
10 “Suppose such a man has a violent son who sheds blood and does any of these things mentioned previously 11 (though the father did not do any of them). He eats pagan sacrifices on the mountains, defiles his neighbor’s wife, 12 oppresses the poor and the needy, commits robbery, does not give back what was given in pledge, prays to idols, performs abominable acts, 13 engages in usury, and charges interest. Will he live? He will not! Because he has done all these abominable deeds he will certainly die. He will bear the responsibility for his own death.
14 “But suppose he in turn has a son who notices all the sins his father commits, considers them, and does not follow his father’s example. 15 He does not eat pagan sacrifices on the mountains, does not pray to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife, 16 does not oppress anyone or keep what has been given in pledge, does not commit robbery, gives his food to the hungry and clothes the naked, 17 refrains from wrongdoing, does not engage in usury or charge interest, carries out my regulations, and follows my statutes. He will not die for his father’s iniquity; he will surely live. 18 As for his father, because he practices extortion, robs his brother, and does what is not good among his people, he will die for his iniquity.