The children's teeth are set on edge

The Soul Who Sins Will Die

The word of the Lord came to me: "What do you people mean by quoting about the land of Israel:

"The fathers eat sour grapes,

and the children's teeth are set on edge."

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As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For EVERY living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son --both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die." Ezekiel 18:1-4

Study Notes: The people of Judah believed that they were being punished for the sins of their ancestors, not their own. They thought this way because this was the teaching of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:5). Ezekiel taught that "the destruction of Jerusalem" was due to the spiritual decay in previous generations. But this belief in the corporate life of Israel led to fatalism and irresponsibility. So Ezekiel gave God's NEW POLICY for this new land because the people had misconstrued the old one.
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God judges people individually. Although we often suffer from the effects of sins committed by those who came before us. God does not punish us for someone else's sins, and we can't use THEIR mistakes as an EXCUSE for our sins. Each person is accountable to God for his or her actions.
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In addition, some people of Judah used the corporate umbrella of God's blessings as an excuse for disobeying God. They thought that because of their righteous ancestors they would live. God told them they would not; they were the evil sons of righteous parents and, as such, would die. If however if anyone returned to God; he or she would live.

Ezekiel's solution to the problem of inherited guilt is for each person to have a changed life. This is God's work in us and not something we can do ourselves. The Holy Spirit does it (Psalm 51:10-12). If we renounce our life's direction of sin and rebellion and turn to God, He will give us a new direction, a new love and new power to change. You begin by faith, trusting in God's power to change your heart and mind. Then determine to live each day with Him in control (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Take Aways Points To Consider

"If hell were on one side and sin on the other, I would rather leap into hell than willingly sin against my God." St. Anselm of Canterbury

(Sin) "The greatest fault is to be conscious of none." Thomas Carlyle

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
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"Never judge God by suffering, but judge suffering by the Cross." Fr. Andrews

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NIV Life Application Study Bible Notes, Ezekiel 18:1 and 18:30-32; Take Away Quotes come from the " The Westminster Collection of Christian Quotes," compiled by Martin H Manser, JKP, ISBN #0-664-22258-7