Ezekiel 18
18
Personal Responsibility
1 # 18:1 Ezekiel 18–19 is the fifth panel (E) in the chiastic parallel structure in Ezekiel. This section contains the announcement of the covenant curse against Israel, followed by a divine exhortation to new life and heart renewal. This section—panel E—constitutes the parallel with panel E1 in ch. 37, containing the vision of the valley of dry bones that conveys the promise of new life and covenant renewal—a spiritual resurrection from the dead. Yahweh spoke to me again, saying, 2“Why do you keep repeating this proverb in the land of Israel:
“The parents have eaten sour grapes,
but the children are the ones with the sour taste in their mouths? # 18:2 Ezekiel’s generation seemed to overlook the truth that they were worse than their fathers and yet were blaming their fathers. The meaning of this parable is that children suffer for something their parents did. The people were quoting this parable because they felt that God was treating them unfairly. They were taken into captivity and lost their homes and land, and they did not think that they deserved to be punished in that way. The basis of this belief is found in Ex. 20:5; Deut. 5:9. This fatalistic attitude left the people of Israel feeling like they had no control over their lives, and it no longer mattered how they lived. Even if they were good, they believed God would punish them for their parents’ evil. In effect, God was annulling Moses’ declaration found in Ex. 34:7, that God would punish up to the third and fourth generation for their ancestors’ sins. This chapter expounds on the doctrine of individual responsibility.
3“As I, Lord Yahweh, live, you will have no reason to repeat this proverb in Israel. 4Listen, every human life belongs to me; both the parent and the child are mine. The one who sins is held responsible and will die.” # 18:4 See Deut. 24:16; Pss. 15:2–5; 24:3–6; Rom. 14:12; Gal. 6:6–9. Since God is the Creator and owner of the soul of every person, each individual must stand or fall according to their relationship with God. The sins of others can never determine your destiny.
Three Examples of Personal Responsibility
5“Suppose a man is morally good, and his actions are righteous and honest. 6He does not take part in the heathen feasts on the mountains nor worship the false gods # 18:6 Or “lift up his eyes to idols.” of the people of Israel. He does not commit adultery nor have sex with a woman during her period. 7He exploits and defrauds no one. # 18:7 Or “does not withhold a debtor’s collateral.” See Ex. 22:25. He does not steal but generously feeds the hungry and clothes the needy. # 18:7 See Lev. 25:35–37; Deut. 15:7–11; Isa. 58:7; Matt. 25:35–36. 8He does not lend at interest or take any profit. He refuses to do anything evil and gives honest judgment between one person and another. 9He keeps my laws and is honest in all that he does. A person like this is righteous, and he will certainly live. I, Lord Yahweh, have decreed it.
10“But suppose he has a son who is prone to violence and bloodshed, 11doing what his father never did. He takes part in the heathen feasts on the mountains, commits adultery, 12exploits the poor and needy, robs, and defrauds others. He worships the false gods and engages in despicable practices 13and charges exorbitant interest for profit when lending money—such a person will by no means live. # 18:13 Or “and living, he will not live.” Because he committed all these appalling deeds, he will surely be put to death, and he alone will be responsible for his own death. # 18:13 Or “his blood will be upon himself.” See Lev. 20:9, 11; Ezek. 33:4.
14“But suppose this evil man has a son who sees all the sins his father practiced, yet chooses not to follow his poor example 15and refuses to take part in the heathen feasts on the mountains or worship the false gods of the people of Israel. He does not seduce another man’s wife, 16nor exploit nor defraud anyone. He does not steal but feeds the hungry and clothes the needy. 17He refuses to do anything evil and does not lend for profit or charge exorbitant interest. He faithfully keeps my laws and teachings—such a person will certainly live and not die for his father’s sins. 18As for his father, because he practiced fraud, cheated, and robbed others, doing what is wrong among his people, he will most certainly die in his guilt. # 18:18 Or “he will die for his iniquity.”
19“Yet you ask, ‘Why doesn’t the child bear his father’s guilt?’ If a person lives an honest and upright life and keeps my laws and faithfully follows my teachings, he will most certainly live. 20It is the one who sins who will die. A child is not to bear his father’s guilt nor a father his child’s guilt. Good people will be credited for their own righteousness and the wicked with his own wickedness.”
The Power of Repentance
21“However, if the wicked man renounces all the sins he has committed, obeys my laws, and does what is fair and upright, he will most certainly live and will not die. # 18:21 God is teaching us that sinners can not only be set free from the guilt of their ancestors but also be freed from the guilt and shame of their own past. The individual, not the collective group, is held responsible for sin. See Rom. 2:6. 22I will not remember any of the sins he committed in the past. Because he has done what is right, he will most certainly live. 23I, Lord Yahweh, say: Do you think I enjoy seeing the wicked die? I would much rather see him renounce his sins and live!
24“However, if the righteous man abandons his righteous ways and acts wickedly, and follows all the despicable practices of the wicked, should he be allowed to live? None of his righteous deeds will be remembered from then on, for he is guilty of being unfaithful to me, and he will most certainly die.
25“But you complain, ‘The Lord is being unfair. # 18:25 Or “The way of Lord is not equal [balanced].” That’s not right.’ Now people of Israel, listen to me: Do you think my way of doing things is unjust? Aren’t you the ones who are acting unjustly? 26When the righteous man abandons his righteous ways, does what is evil, and dies, he dies responsible for the wrong that he himself committed. 27Similarly, when the wicked man abandons his wicked ways to do what is good and right, he saves his own life. 28Having considered his ways and having chosen to renounce all his former sins, he will most certainly live and not die. 29And yet the people of Israel say, ‘What the Lord does is not just.’ Really? What I do is not just, people of Israel? Aren’t you the ones who are acting unjustly? 30So from here on, you people of Israel, I, Lord Yahweh, say to you: I will judge each of you by what he does. Repent, turn away from all your sins, or your own wickedness will be your downfall. # 18:30 Or “so that iniquity will not be a stumbling block to you.” 31You must get rid of all the guilty sins you have committed and clothe # 18:31 Or “make yourselves [over].” See Ps. 51:10. yourselves with a new heart and a new spirit. People of Israel, choose life! # 18:31 Or “why die?” 32I find no pleasure watching anyone die, # 18:32 See 2 Peter 3:9. so repent and live! I, Lord Yahweh, have spoken.”
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Ezekiel 18: TPT
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