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PREACHING
TO THE EXILES
(The
justice of a righteous GOD)
(Ezekiel
18)
In the book of Ezekiel, here
in chapter 18, the prophet Ezekiel receives yet another message from GOD. This time
the message is regarding GOD’s sovereignty and righteousness in judgment, and
how we are all, as individuals, responsible for our own actions and behavior.
In chapters 15-17 of this book, we saw that
Ezekiel had already delivered three other messages, or, parables, that were
designed to convict the nation of Judah of her sins against GOD. Now, here in
this chapter, the prophet’s message returns to the bluntness necessary to drive
home to Judah, their own personal, individual responsibility to GOD for their
personal iniquities, and broken relationships with HIM.
Ezekiel begins this chapter with a proverb
that must have been very familiar to Israel because it had also been quoted by
the prophet Jeremiah just a few years earlier (Jeremiah 31:29). Here GOD asks
Ezekiel about this proverb since it had been circulating among the populace for
some time. The proverb simply states that; “The parents have eaten sour
grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste” (v.2) (NLT).
The point of this proverb is that the
children of Israel believed that they were suffering because of the sins of
their parents. They felt that GOD was now punishing them for the sins of their
ancestors, and not because of any fault of their own, and this of course, was
ridiculous. In fact, the very thought of this proverb depicts GOD as being “unjust”,
which is a blasphemous conclusion.
GOD therefore saw a great need to refute this
false doctrine, and HE called this foolishness to the attention of HIS post-exilic
prophet. Like most false doctrine, a trace of truth is used in order to make it
sound plausible, and this particular proverb was no exception.
In the holy “Decalogue”, the “Ten Commandments”,
cited in the book of Exodus (20:5 and 34:6-7) and Deuteronomy 5:9, we see a few
examples of where GOD talks about punishing the children of the fathers to the
third and fourth generation of those who hate HIM. However, the whole point of
these passages is that “the effects of sin are serious and long-lasting”, and
not that GOD punishes the innocent for their ancestors’ evils literally.
There is always a chance that our
iniquities and mistakes will affect others at some future date, however, that
backlash lies with us as responsible human beings, not with GOD. GOD gives us “wills
that are free” (freedom of choice), and our choices always, invariably, will
affect someone else, be they family members or not, in the future. Here in this
passage, GOD presents us with three hypothetical case examples to show how we
as individuals are responsible for our own choices in life.
In case number one, GOD presents us with
the example of a righteous man who does what is lawful and right under HIM. The
man does not worship idols or engage in forbidden sexual practices and
activities such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and bestiality. He is
merciful to his creditors and does not rob the poor. He gives food to the
hungry and provides clothing to those in need. He gives loans without interest,
stays away from injustice, and faithfully considers, at all times, what is
right by GOD. This particular person is “just” and will be honored and allowed
to live with GOD eternally.
In case number two the LORD presents us
with another supposition. Suppose the son of that same man grew up to be a
robber or a murderer, and refuses to do right, and in fact, he does exactly the
opposite of the father. Should such a sinful person go unpunished because of
the reputation of his father? No way! GOD says that person must be punished
according to his own iniquities, and not spared because of his father’s
righteous behavior.
In the third case scenario GOD says that, “Suppose
that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father’s wickedness and
decides against that kind of lifestyle for himself”. He, instead, chooses to
live the righteous lifestyle of his grandfather. That son will not be punished
because of his father’s sins, but rather, will be blessed as his grandfather
was. And bear in mind, it is not because of his grandfather’s righteous choices
and decisions that he is blessed, but rather, it will be because he himself
personally made the right choices under GOD.
When we blame others for our faults and
misfortunes, we inevitably deny our own guilt, and, through human ingenuity,
claim innocence and perfection, that, in our own minds, justify our sinful
behavior against GOD. In this passage of scripture, GOD is clearly saying in no
uncertain terms, that, “the person who sins is the person who pays for the
consequences”, not our children, and not anyone else.
Every human being has to make an account
for the deeds done in his or her lifetime. GOD will judge each of us according
to our own actions, good or bad. And so, we must turn away from our sins, and
be drawn instead, to the GODlier things in this life, lest we allow our sins to
destroy us.
We must put our rebellious ways behind us,
in order that we may grasp and obtain “a new heart” (new way of thinking), and “a
new spirit” (new GODly influence). Then and only then, can we begin walking in “the
newness of life”, that is, CHRIST JESUS. When we begin to make GODly decisions,
GOD’s mercy towards us, will “win out” (“katakauchatai”), over HIS judgment
against us (James 2:13b).
GOD does not wish to see any of HIS human
creation perish by becoming permanently separated from HIM, by way of our sins.
Instead, HE wishes for us to live eternally with HIM, by way of our new-found
relationship with CHRIST JESUS. GOD does not enjoy punishing us for our sins,
but rather, HE relishes in the thought that we choose to be blessed by HIM, because
of our obedience.
A
Sunday school lesson by,
Larry
D. Alexander
Larry Dell Alexander (1953–)
- Encyclopedia of Arkansas
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