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Ezekiel 18

Ezekiel 18 addresses the concept of individual responsibility before God. The chapter refutes the belief that children are punished for the sins of their parents and emphasizes that each person is accountable for their own actions. God declares that the soul who sins shall die, but if a wicked person turns from their ways, they will live. This chapter is a powerful statement on personal accountability, repentance, and God's justice and mercy.

Ezekiel 18:1-4 (NKJV)
1 The word of the Lord came to me again, saying,
2 “What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?
3 As I live,” says the Lord God, “you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel.
4 “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.”

In these verses, God addresses a common proverb in Israel that suggested children would suffer for their parents’ sins. God rejects this idea, affirming that every individual is accountable for their own actions. God declares that every soul belongs to Him, and each person who sins will face the consequences of their own choices, thereby establishing the principle of individual responsibility.

Ezekiel 18:5-9 (NKJV)
5 But if a man is just and does what is lawful and right;
6 if he has not eaten on the mountains, nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, nor defiled his neighbor’s wife, nor approached a woman during her impurity;
7 if he has not oppressed anyone, but has restored to the debtor his pledge; has robbed no one by violence, but has given his bread to the hungry and covered the naked with clothing;
8 if he has not exacted usury nor taken any increase, but has withdrawn his hand from iniquity and executed true judgment between man and man;
9 if he has walked in My statutes and kept My judgments faithfully—he is just; he shall surely live!” says the Lord God.

Here, God outlines the characteristics of a righteous person who lives in accordance with His laws. This person avoids idolatry, adultery, oppression, and exploitation and instead practices justice, charity, and faithfulness. God promises that such a person will live, emphasizing that a righteous life leads to blessings and life, contrasting with the consequences of sin.

Ezekiel 18:10-13 (NKJV)
10 If he begets a son who is a robber or a shedder of blood, who does any of these things
11 and does none of those duties, but has eaten on the mountains or defiled his neighbor’s wife;
12 if he has oppressed the poor and needy, robbed by violence, not restored the pledge, lifted his eyes to the idols, or committed abomination;
13 if he has exacted usury or taken increase—shall he then live? He shall not live! If he has done any of these abominations, he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

God describes a scenario where a righteous person’s child chooses a sinful lifestyle. Despite having a godly parent, this child is held accountable for their own wrongdoings, and their actions lead to death. This further reinforces the theme of individual responsibility, showing that each person’s choices determine their fate, irrespective of family righteousness.

Ezekiel 18:14-18 (NKJV)
14 “If, however, he begets a son who sees all the sins which his father has done, and considers but does not do likewise;
15 who has not eaten on the mountains, nor lifted his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, nor defiled his neighbor’s wife;
16 has not oppressed anyone, nor withheld a pledge, nor robbed by violence, but has given his bread to the hungry and covered the naked with clothing;
17 who has withdrawn his hand from the poor and not received usury or increase, but has executed My judgments and walked in My statutes—he shall not die for the iniquity of his father; he shall surely live!
18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, robbed his brother by violence, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity.”

This passage presents the opposite situation: a person with a sinful parent chooses to live a righteous life. Despite the father’s wrongdoings, the son’s good actions will lead him to life, while the father’s sins bring death. This demonstrates that each person’s destiny is shaped by their individual actions, not by their parents’ or children’s behavior.

Ezekiel 18:19-20 (NKJV)
19 “Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live.
20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”

God responds to those questioning His justice, explaining that righteousness and wickedness are not transferable between parent and child. The principle of individual accountability is restated: only the one who sins will bear the consequences. Each person’s deeds, whether good or bad, rest solely upon themselves.

Ezekiel 18:21-23 (NKJV)
21 “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
22 None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live.
23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?”

God extends hope for repentance, declaring that a wicked person who turns away from their sins and lives righteously will be forgiven. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires their repentance and life. This shows God’s mercy and willingness to forgive those who genuinely change their ways.

Ezekiel 18:24-29 (NKJV)
24 “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.
25 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?
26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies.
27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive.
28 Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair?”

God addresses the complaints of Israel, asserting His justice in holding each person accountable for their own choices. If a righteous person turns to sin, they face consequences, and if a sinner repents, they receive life. Israel's accusations of unfairness reveal their misunderstanding of God's consistent justice, which is based on personal responsibility.

Ezekiel 18:30-32 (NKJV)
30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!”

In His final call, God urges Israel to repent and turn from their sins to avoid destruction. God desires life, not death, for His people and pleads for them to embrace a renewed heart and spirit. This closing appeal highlights God’s compassion and His desire for Israel’s restoration, urging them to choose life through repentance.

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