Ezekiel 18

Message: Each person is responsible for their own actions. They can not fall back to their parents or previous ancestors. Each person must make the decision to repent, to "go and sin no more."

Time: Another message comes to Ezekiel from the Lord. It is a story of a family and the actions of each in different generations.

What the Lord is Saying:

The Lord condones a proverb among His people. They are saying, "The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children pucker at the taste." The Lord reminds them, "The person who sins is the one who dies." Each person is responsible.

Father - Righteous, does what is right, no idols, no adultery, no uncleanness, does not oppress others, restores debt to pledges, no stealing, helps needy, walks in statutes. He is righteous. He shall live.

Son - Violent, Adulterer, oppressor, robs, idolatry, lends at interest. He shall not live; he will die for his sin.

Grandson - Living like his grandfather.

If a wicked person turns from his sins and keeps His statutes, he shall live. His sins will not be remembered. He has righteousness.

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (verse 23).

If one that is seen as righteous sins, he will not be remembered.

God is just.

Key verse: Ezekiel 18:30, "Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways. This is the declaration of the Lord God. "Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment."

Promise: Turn from your sin and God will save you.