The Way of Life or the Way of Death? (Ezek. 18)

Wayne Galloway
05/06/15 - N/A

Series: God Speaks to Our People In Exile

Introduction:

1.  Perhaps it was an automobile accident.  Perhaps it was open-heart surgery.  Perhaps it was when you heard that six-letter word that begins with a C.  Or perhaps it was when your kidneys shut down and you were diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome.  Whatever it was some of you have been face to face with death. 2.  In situations like that we would like to have control.  It is quite a helpless feeling when it is a life and death situation and you have no control. 3.  This must have been what it was like for the nation of Israel in Ezekiel 18.  They were condemned to death, and had the idea that it was their father’s sin, not their own, that was the cause. 4.  They even had a proverb to describe it. 5.  Read Ezek. 18:1-4.

a.  Ezek. 18 can be divided into three sections each marked by what Israel said.  Note v. 2, 19, 25/29.

b.  The prevailing opinion:  “The father’s have violated and I am experiencing the consequences, although I am not a violator.”

Discussion:

I.   The first section (18:1-18) responds to the proverb: “The fathers eat the sour grapes, but the children’s teeth are set on edge.”  God’s response:  “The soul who sins will die.”

A.  The first hypothetical case.If a man is righteous he will surely live (5-9).

1.  The list given is a list of behaviors characteristic of those who respond faithfully to the Lord.

2.  It is not an exhaustive list of all faithful behaviors, but representative of the kind of behaviors that characterize the faithful.

3.  Two other representative lists are given (18:10-13, 14-17).  They are not identical but similar.

4.  One does not become righteous by doing these things.  One is righteous and thus practices such behaviors.

5.  Someone might reason, “I am going to be righteous therefore I will practice these 16 behaviors. I will be righteous, but I will hate my neighbor, beat my wife and abuse my children.”

6. The behaviors represented in this list are reflective of the man’s character and the disposition of his heart.  His heart has come under the control of God so that he responds to God in genuineness.  He faithfully and willingly submits himself to the Lord.

7.These behaviors are the evidence of the life that he has (cf. Rom. 6:4; Col. 3:1; Eph. 2:10).

B.  A second hypothetical:  he may have a violent son.  He will not live! (10-13).

1.  This man is the anti-thesis of his father.

2.  This is not a good man who made a mistake.  This is not a good man who occasionally goofs up.  This is a man whose direction is contrary to God.

3.  This list of his sins is not meant to be exhaustive, but representative of the direction and the course of his life (cf. 1 Pet. 4:3-6).

4.  This violent son will not live.  He shall be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.

C.  A third hypothetical:  the violent son has a son who is the antithesis of his father (14-18).  He will NOT die.  He will surely live.  This is the grandson of the righteous man.

1.  He observes the sins of his father, but does not do likewise.

2.  He will not die, although his father will.

II.  The second section (18:19-24) responds to their question:  “Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity?”  God’s response:  “The man who turns from his sins will live.  The man who turns from his righteousness will die.”

A.  The son will not bear the punishment for the father, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’ iniquity.  The righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.

B.  If the wicked turns he shall live.  God will not remember his unrighteousness.

C.  If the righteous turns from his righteousness he shall die.

D.  Turn from wickedness and live.

III.  The third section (18:25-32) responds to their statement:  “The way of the Lord is not right.”  God’s response:  “Is My way not right?  Is it not your ways that are not right?”

A.  Where did they get the idea that the sons were accountable for their father’s sins?

1.  Maybe from such passages as Ex. 20:5-6; Num. 14:18; Deut. 5:9-10; 7:9-10.

2.  Obviously that is not what God was saying in these passages.

3.  Certainly the sinfulness or righteousness of fathers has an effect on their children (cf. Deut. 6), but that does not mean that the children are fatalistically doomed because their father’s are unrighteous.

B.  Instead of theologizing about God’s (mis)administration of justice they need to repent of their rebellion and deal faithfully.

C.  Each man is held responsible for his/her own actions.  The man who sins needs to repent and receive the forgiveness of God so that he might live.

IV.  There are a number of relevant principles applicable to us.

A.  There is a warning to those who would presume on the grace of God.  You cannot choose the course of sin and get by with it.  The soul that sins will die.  Death is the consequence of sin.  You cannot do wrong and have the blessing of life.

B.  To those who despair of life, thinking that they have no way out, this passage offers hope.  You will not be condemned for someone else’s sin.  You are in control.

C.  This passage corrects those who absolve individuals of personal responsibility for their own life and destiny.  You are responsible for yourself.

1.  I cannot blame someone else for my relationship with God.  Children cannot blame their parents.

2.  We cannot blame the past generation.

D.  We cannot blame God.  He is NOT unfair.

E.  Six key truths . . .

1.  The person who sins dies for his own sin.

2.  Righteousness is evidenced by behavior, not mere proclamation.

3.  Those with power should treat the powerless with respect.

4.  Past behavior need not determine future well-being.

5.  God is on the side of life for all, not death for any.

6.  Sinners need to repent.

Conclusion:

1.  There is way too much blame-pining and way too little acceptance of personal responsibility. 2.  Do not blame someone else for your unrighteousness:  your parents, society, Christians, God. 3.  You are responsible. 4.  Choose the way of life or choose the way of death, but accept responsibility. 5.  God is willing to forgive your unrighteousness, but you are going to have to accept responsibility for it.