Ezekiel 18

This chapter deals with a question, or rather an accusation against God, which people raise today: God’s judgment is not fair!  It is raised again in Ezek. 33.  If you wonder about this at times then pay careful attention.  

The particular charge against God came in the form of a proverb (v2).  It is interesting that this exact same argument was being raised in Jerusalem (Jer. 31:29) as it was being raised in Babylon here.  The point of the proverb was that God was judging the children (the people of the day) for the sins of the fathers.  Thus the people said, “The way of the Lord is not fair” (v25,29).

God’s answer is very clear.  It is one of personal responsibility for all men.  Every soul belongs to God; and the soul that sins shall die (v4).  God gives a clear explanation. 

·        If a man is just he shall live (v5-9).

·        If that man’s son is unjust he will die (v10-13).

·        If that son has a son who is just, that son shall live (v14-18).

Each person lives or dies for himself.  It is a universal principle.  And yet, the people raise two objections.  First, the question is “why?”  Why are we not free to blame our sins on those who went before us (v19-20)?  God’s answer is, again, one of personal responsibility.  If a wicked man turns to righteousness he shall live (v21-23).  But if a righteous man turns to wickedness he shall die (v24).  And if you are wondering, the New Testament reaffirms this idea that true faith perseveres in righteousness (1 Tim 6:11-16; 1 Th 5:23-24; 1 Peter 1:5-7 plus the letter Hebrews and 1 John).  

The second objection is to cry “unfair” (v25).  God’s answer is the same, one of personal responsibility (v26-28).  He concludes that it is actually the thinking of His people that is not fair (v29).  As is the case in our own day, people want to live without personal accountability to their Creator.  

To the people of Ezekiel’s day as well as to people today, God has one thing to say: TURN AND LIVE (v30-32).  God asks, “Why should you die?”  And contrary to the foolishness of men who love to mischaracterize God, God affirms that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.  In other words, God still patiently calls people to turn to Him.  As Peter points out, God’s long-suffering is intended to give men opportunity to repent (2 Peter 3:9).  Men ought not to take His patience to mean He will not bring judgment.  He will judge.  And there is no room to complain of His unfairness.

Even today God offers a “new heart and a new spirit” to those who will repent and turn from their sin.  Paul called to all men to “repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20).   

God is more than fair.  He patiently offers grace.  But the time will come when it will be too late.