< Ezekiel 18 >

A recurring complaint among the people of Israel was that they suffered the judgments of God because of the sins of their fathers, which they considered unfair and expressed this in a proverb.v.2Ezekiel 18:2XWaiting for response It is true that Israel, being a theocracy, was in God’s control and peoples’ behaviour brought either blessing or cursing, the consequences of which could affect succeeding generations. Nevertheless, in the eternal issues of life and death, everyone will be judged by God according to his own deeds. If a person is righteous, he shall live.vs.5-9Ezekiel 18:5-9XWaiting for response

If the wicked turn from his wickedness and do righteousness, he shall also live. If the righteous turn away from righteousness, he shall die. This is irrespective of the character and deeds of his father.vs.10-18Ezekiel 18:10-18XWaiting for response This is perfectly just, although Israel thought it unfair.v.19Ezekiel 18:19XWaiting for response but the clear principle God applies is that: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die”.v.20Ezekiel 18:20XWaiting for response

Notice that souls can die! A false doctrine of most religions is that we are immortal souls and cannot really die. The truth, however, is that we are indeed souls and will perish in oblivion if we are accounted sinners when judged by God. If, on the other hand, we are accounted righteous souls, we shall live eternally. The vital requirement is that the wicked turn from his wickedness and the righteous continue in his righteousness. Then they shall live, otherwise they shall die.vs.21-29Ezekiel 18:21-29XWaiting for response God’s exhortation to the Jews then, and to us now, is to repent, cast away transgressions, and develop a new heart and spirit in righteousness that, in God’s mercy, we may live eternally.vs.30-32Ezekiel 18:30-32XWaiting for response