Ezekiel 18
Share
CHAPTER 18
The Soul Who Sins Will Die (18:1–32)
1–4 The exiles in Babylon had the mistaken idea that the outcome of a child’s life was predetermined by his parents: if the parent was unrighteous, the child would also be unrighteous. This idea arose from a misinterpretation of the second commandment (Exodus 20:5). Yes, a parent influences his child’s life but does not determine it. Each individual is responsible for his or her own behavior; each individual has the freedom to choose good or evil.30
The exiles preferred to blame their troubles on their parents; they preferred to see themselves as innocent victims. That way, they would be under no obligation to change their behavior. They even quoted a common proverb (verse 2) which implied that wickedness was hereditary:if a father ate sour grapes, his son would taste them too (see Jeremiah 31:29–30 and comment).
The Lord swore that He would stop the use of that proverb in Israel (verse 3). The present generation was being judged for its own sins, not for the sins of the previous generation. Every individual belongs to the Lord and is accountable to the Lord for his or her actions. The soul who sins is the one who will die31 (verse 4).
5–9 Here the Lord cites the example of a righteous man who does what is just and right32 (verse 5). Such a man will surely live33 (verse 9). Here, “to live” means much more than simply to exist; it means to lead a full and happy life in fellowship with God (see Leviticus 18:5 and comment).
10–13 The Lord next describes the righteous man’s son, who is violent and unrighteous. His father’s righteousness will not save him (see Ezekiel 14:16). His blood will be on his own head (verse 13)—that is, he will be held responsible for his own sin.
14–18 The Lord’s third example is the grandson of the righteous man. Even though his father was evil (verses 10–13), he will not die for his father’s sin (verse 17); rather, he will live—like his grandfather.
19–20 In these verses, the Lord reaffirms the truth that every person is responsible for his or her own conduct and will be judged accordingly; even believers will face this judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10).
21–23 Here the Lord adds one important new truth: a wicked man can change his ways! He can repent. If he does, he will be judged a righteous man. None of his sins will be remembered (see Jeremiah 31:34); he will live (verse 22). Indeed, the Lord is eager for a wicked man to repent (2 Peter 3:9); He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (verses 23,32). That is why He sent His Son to earth to die on the cross so that sinful men and women might not perish but live (see John 3:16; 1 John 2:1–2).
24 Just as a wicked man can change for the better, so a righteous man can change for the worse. If he does not repent, he will be judged an unrighteous man, and he will die.34
25–29 The Jewish exiles listening to Ezekiel apparently considered God unjust; He was holding them responsible for their own sins! (verse 25). In verses 26–29, the Lord repeats what He has stated in verses 21–24.
30–32 The Lord is just: each person will be judged according to his or her actions. “Repent, therefore,” says the Lord, “and get a new heart and a new spirit” (verses 30—31). It is God who gives us a new heart, a new spirit (see Ezekiel 11:18–21 and comment), but we have to “get” it; we have to appropriate God’s gift. We have to ask for it, seek for it (Matthew 7:7–8). Why would we choose death, when we could have life? God wants us to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19–20), for He takes no pleasure in the death of anyone (verse 32).
The choice is ours. Yes, we can refuse to take responsibility for our sins and failings and put the blame on others—on our parents, our circumstances, our society. Or we can accept responsibility, turn back to God, and with His help make a new beginning. God is a “God of second chances.” But whether or not we take that second chance is up to us.