4For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.
5"Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right.
- P87
6He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or have sexual relations with a woman during her period.
7He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked.
8He does not lend to them at interest or take a profit from them. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between two parties.
9He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign Lord.
- P89
17He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live.
18But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.
19"Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live.
20The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.
- P91
The Lord rejects the Israelites‘ saying that children are to be punished fortheir parents‘ sins. He declares that every person is accountable for their ownactions. - P89
A righteous person will live, and the person who sins will die. Childrenare not punished for their parents‘ sins as long as they do what is right. - P89
The people of Judah quote a proverb to justify their sense of victimhood, suggesting that they suffer because of the sins of their forefathers. This mindset reflects an attempt to shift blame and avoid personal responsibility. However, through Ezekiel, God corrects this thinking by declaring that every soul belongs to Him, and each person is accountable for their own actions. When people blame others—including previous generations—they adopt a fatalistic attitude and reject the opportunity to repent and change. - P92
God’s justice is fair, and He judges each person individually. This truth is freeing because it means our choices matter, and we are not doomed by our past or lineage. We are invited to respond to God personally and directly. - P92
The prophet presents a three-generational example: a righteous man, awicked son, and a righteous grandson. This case study illustrates that eachperson is held accountable before God based on their own actions. Righ-teousness or wickedness is not inherited; it is lived out. This challenges thefalse belief that we are better or more deserving than those who come beforeus. - P92
It also confronts the tendency to blame our background or culture forour failings. God does not judge us collectively by family or generationallines but deals with us individually. This passage is an invitation to soberself-reflection. We should take personal responsibility for our choices andoffer true repentance for our sins, turning to God for His mercy.
- P92
Righteous Father, thank you for Your justice and mercy. Help me to take responsibility for my own actions and not hide behind excuses or blame. - P92
Teach me to walk humbly, repent sincerely, and trust in Your grace to transform my life. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P92
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