Parables and laments
Ezekiel 18
32 verses≈ 7 minBSB
Images are artistic interpretations.
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Where we are
- 1–3Visions of gloryBy the Kebar, about 593 BC: the throne, the scroll, the watchman
- 4–7Signs of the siegeA brick, a ration, a razor: the end has come
- 8–11The glory departsAbout 592 BC: the temple’s abominations, the mark, the glory goes east
- 12–15False hopesExile acted out, false prophets, a useless vine
- 16–19Parables and lamentsAn unfaithful bride, two eagles, the one who sinsChapter 18
- 20–24The sword drawnRebellion retold; the siege begins, about 588 BC
- 25–32The nations judgedAmmon to Egypt: the LORD is Judge of all the earth
- 33–36A new heartThe city falls; the Good Shepherd; cleansed and made new
- 37–39Dry bones liveOne people raised up, and Gog of Magog defeated
- 40–48The LORD is thereAbout 573 BC: the new temple, the river, the land
The Soul Who Sins Will Die
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As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel.
Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right:
He does not eat at the mountain
or look to the idols of the house of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife
or approach a woman during her period.
He does not engage in usury
or take excess interest,
but he withholds his hand from iniquity
and executes true justice between men.
He follows My statutes
and faithfully keeps My ordinances.
That man is righteous;
surely he will live,
declares the Lord GOD.
Now suppose that man has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these things, though the father has done none of them:
Indeed, the son eats at the mountain
and defiles his neighbor’s wife.
He oppresses the poor and needy;
he commits robbery
and does not restore a pledge.
He lifts his eyes to idols;
he commits abominations.
He engages in usury
and takes excess interest.
Will this son live? He will not! Since he has committed all these abominations, he will surely die; his blood will be on his own head.
Now suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father has committed, considers them, and does not do likewise:
He does not eat at the mountain
or look to the idols of the house of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.
He does not oppress another,
or retain a pledge, or commit robbery.
He gives his bread to the hungry
and covers the naked with clothing.
God
He withholds his hand from harming the poor
and takes no interest or usury.
He keeps My ordinances
and follows My statutes.
Such a man will not die for his father’s iniquity. He will surely live.
As for his father, he will die for his own iniquity, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what was wrong among his people.
Yet you may ask, ‘Why shouldn’t the son bear the iniquity of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all My statutes, he will surely live.
Question
Quick question
Look again at the three generations.
In 18:20, whose iniquity does a son bear?
Three generations
Whiteboard
No generation is locked in by the one before it.
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?
But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.
Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is it My way that is unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?
If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has committed.
But if a wicked man turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considered and turned from all the transgressions he had committed, he will surely live; he will not die.
0:13
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are My ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.
For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!
Ezekiel 18:32
Pray
Pray
Lord GOD, You take no pleasure in anyone’s death. I stop blaming others and turn to You now. Give me the new heart I cannot make, and let me live. Amen.
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Ezekiel 18
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A verse to carry with you
For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!
Ezekiel 18:32
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