1 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
2 What mean ye, that ye 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, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
5 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
6 And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
9 Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.
10 If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things,
11 And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,
12 Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
14 Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,
15 That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,
16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath 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, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.
19 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the LORD is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
29 Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the LORD is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
The eighteenth chapter of the book of Ezekiel in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a powerful discourse on personal responsibility for one's actions, the concept of individual retribution and the possibility of repentance and restoration. It carries a profound message of divine justice, underscoring the idea that God judges individuals based on their own deeds rather than the actions of their ancestors.
The chapter begins with God questioning the validity of a proverb being used in Israel: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Ezekiel 18:2). This proverb, prevalent at the time, suggested that children were suffering because of the sins of their forefathers. God declares this proverb to be false, stating clearly that all souls belong to Him, and that each person is responsible for their own sin.
Ezekiel 18 underscores the principle of individual responsibility before God. It illustrates this through a series of hypothetical scenarios involving a righteous man, his wicked son, and the son's righteous child. The righteous man, who lives according to God's laws, is assured of life. His wicked son, who commits a series of abominations, is condemned to death. The righteous grandchild, despite his father's wickedness, is also assured of life because of his righteousness. This series of examples serves to debunk the proverb and affirm that each person is judged based on their own actions, not those of their ancestors.
The chapter also explores the possibility of repentance and restoration. It states that if a wicked person turns away from all the sins he has committed, keeps God's decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live and not die. All his offenses will be forgotten. This passage conveys God's desire for the wicked to turn from their ways and live. It shows that God does not take pleasure in the death of anyone, but rather, He desires that they turn from their wicked ways and live.
This theme of repentance and restoration provides hope and reassurance. It assures the people that their past does not have to define their future. It provides a means for the wicked to escape their doom and for the righteous to maintain their standing before God. It underscores God's grace, mercy, and readiness to forgive.
In the latter part of the chapter, the Israelites challenge the fairness of God's ways. They claim that God's ways are not just, to which God responds that it is their ways that are not just. God reiterates the principle of individual responsibility and the possibility of repentance and restoration. He challenges the Israelites to rid themselves of their offenses and get a new heart and a new spirit. He exhorts them to choose life so that they and their descendants may live.
This section underscores the importance of having a correct understanding of God's character and His ways. It challenges the reader to examine their own ways and align them with God's ways. It also provides a clear call to action: to repent, and to choose life.
Ezekiel 18 is a powerful discourse on the divine justice of God. It debunks the misconception that individuals bear the punishment for their ancestors' sins, affirming instead the principle of individual responsibility. It conveys the hope of repentance and restoration, showing God's desire for the wicked to turn from their ways and live. It also challenges the reader to examine their own ways and align them with God's.
The chapter is a stark reminder of God's fairness and justice. It brings into focus the personal responsibility each one has for their actions and the consequences that follow. It also highlights God's mercy and willingness to forgive those who repent and turn from their wicked ways. Ultimately, Ezekiel 18 communicates a message of hope and restoration, a call to righteousness, and a challenge to align one's ways with God's.
Share this page