Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 (NRSV)
Read Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 18The word of the Lord came to me: Verse 2What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, "The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge"? Verse 3As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Verse 4Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die. Verse 25Yet you say, "The way of the Lord is unfair." Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? Verse 26When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Verse 27Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Verse 28Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Verse 29Yet the house of Israel says, "The way of the Lord is unfair." O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
Verse 30Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Verse 31Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? Verse 32For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.
Devotion
For the Israelites in exile, it was easy to point to others as being responsible for all their troubles. It is the same for us. When life is not easy and things go wrong, it may seem to ease the burden if we can shift blame.
We need a word of power from outside to rescue us from this vicious cycle. The prophet comes with a three-fold word of God to call us to honesty, repentance and hope.
In a bit of "reality therapy," God calls us to be honest and admit we have turned from God and from the path God wishes for us. In the call to repentance, God seeks that we refrain from blaming others and return to God with a new heart and spirit. In the promise that "all lives belong to God," God offers hope in the One who has the power to bring us back and accomplish a new thing in us.
Prayer
O Lord, by your power, help us to know that all our lives belong to you. And in this knowledge help us to be honest about our failings, and then by your power grant us a new heart and a new spirit so that we may return again to you. Amen.