The soul that sins will die so repent
Text Ezekiel 17 Time 15 10 06 Place Childs Hill Baptist Church
We have mentioned before Andrew Bonar's comment that if you get to heaven you may meet Ezekiel and he may well come up to you and say 'Did you read my book?' We acknowledge that the 48 chapters that form the Prophecy of Ezekiel are not the easiest chapters to tackle. There's a lot of material and the theme of judgement is very strong. Nevertheless there are famous chapters in Ezekiel. You should at least know the famous bits. Perhaps Chapter 37 and the valley of dry bones is the most famous but this is a very famous chapter too - Chapter 18. It is especially famous because it contains these well known words in verses 4 and 20 The soul who sins is the one who will die and in verse 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? and in verses 31 and 32 Rid yourselves of all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel?
I want to say four things from this chapter
1. Beware of thinking that God is unfair
1. Beware of thinking that God is unfair
The basic purpose of the chapter is to show that although God is undoubtedly a stern Judge, yet he is utterly fair. Although again and again charges of unfairness are brought against God, he is in fact scrupulously fair.
The whole chapter begins with Ezekiel saying yet again (1-4) The word of the LORD came to me. He goes on, in God's name, What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? That was the proverb they used The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? In other words, it is our fathers who sinned not us, so why are we the ones who have been sent into exile in Babylon?
It goes on to reveal that the Sovereign LORD is determined that this proverb will no longer be used 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. So that is the principle then The soul who sins is the one who will die. In other words, God is the Creator and Sustainer of each and every living person. We all belong to him and each person will stand before him as an individual to be judged regarding how he has lived. We are all responsible for ourselves and for our sins. You get the same thing in the New Testament – Galatians 6:2-5 - Yes we must carry each other's burdens to fulfil the law but Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
The wages of sin is death and so if you sin you will die. You deserve to die. When you see those notices about being fined for smoking they mean what they say. Each individual will bear his own guilt.
The whole chapter begins with Ezekiel saying yet again (1-4) The word of the LORD came to me. He goes on, in God's name, What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? That was the proverb they used The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? In other words, it is our fathers who sinned not us, so why are we the ones who have been sent into exile in Babylon?
It goes on to reveal that the Sovereign LORD is determined that this proverb will no longer be used 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. So that is the principle then The soul who sins is the one who will die. In other words, God is the Creator and Sustainer of each and every living person. We all belong to him and each person will stand before him as an individual to be judged regarding how he has lived. We are all responsible for ourselves and for our sins. You get the same thing in the New Testament – Galatians 6:2-5 - Yes we must carry each other's burdens to fulfil the law but Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
The wages of sin is death and so if you sin you will die. You deserve to die. When you see those notices about being fined for smoking they mean what they say. Each individual will bear his own guilt.
Now the instinct to say that God is unfair and to blame him for our sins is one that goes on to this day. People want to blame their parents, their background, their genes, their temperament – anything rather than facing up to their own responsibility. You see it in the Garden of Eden after the first sin. Adam blames Eve and Eve blames the serpent. Ultimately it is God who is unfair – why did he give Eve to Adam? Why did he let Eve listen to the serpent? Why did he let the serpent do what he did? We ask these questions too. Why did everything depend on Adam? Why is one sin enough to make us all sinners? Why does there have to be a heaven and a hell? Why is my life working out as it is? Perhaps you find yourself blaming God for things or thinking he is unfair to you.
Now let's be abundantly clear, God is certainly not unfair. Indeed, the very opposite is true. To demonstrate the fact Ezekiel goes on to give examples from three different generations – first of a righteous man (the grandfather), then a wicked son and finally the grandson - another righteous man.
2. Recognise that righteousness is not genetic
Now let's be abundantly clear, God is certainly not unfair. Indeed, the very opposite is true. To demonstrate the fact Ezekiel goes on to give examples from three different generations – first of a righteous man (the grandfather), then a wicked son and finally the grandson - another righteous man.
2. Recognise that righteousness is not genetic
You can't inherit it. Genetics is the study of how things such as diseases are passed on from generation to generation. In recent years the science has grown and has made some fascinating discoveries. I remember when I was young and they thought I probably had hay fever. Even then they were asking my parents if there was asthma or hay fever in the family. In certain cases the genes parents carry can increase the likelihood of them passing on a disease or something similar to their children. More recently some scientists have begun to wonder what else can be passed on. There has been talk of a so-called 'gay gene' – the idea that sexual orientation can be inherited from your parents although on the face of it that sounds impossible. (It's a little bit like the idea that sterility is inherited!). Similar suggestions have been made about other areas. Such suggestions are nothing new. Similar ideas were around in Ezekiel's day. They are often made in order to escape taking responsibility for our sins. However, to think that we are what we are simply because of our parents is plain wrong. Look at the example here.
1. Consider this description of the righteousness that leads to life
1. Consider this description of the righteousness that leads to life
Ezekiel begins by describing a righteous man. Here is man of faith, a man who is trusting God. You can tell he is by his lifestyle. Ezekiel puts it very much in Old Testament terms, of course, but we can relate. So here is a righteous man who does what is just and right.
1 He is not an idolater. Verse 6 He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. At the mountain shrines animals sacrificed to idols were eaten.
2 He is sexually pure. He does not defile his neighbour's wife or lie with a woman during her period (something banned under Jewish ceremonial law).
3 He is not given to oppression or exploitation (7) He 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. Remember how Paul tells believers (Ephesians 4:28) He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. This man (8) does not lend at usury or take excessive interest. Money is not his great passion.
In sum, He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man. He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. The verdict: That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD. Here is a true believer then, a man of God.
1 He is not an idolater. Verse 6 He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. At the mountain shrines animals sacrificed to idols were eaten.
2 He is sexually pure. He does not defile his neighbour's wife or lie with a woman during her period (something banned under Jewish ceremonial law).
3 He is not given to oppression or exploitation (7) He 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. Remember how Paul tells believers (Ephesians 4:28) He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. This man (8) does not lend at usury or take excessive interest. Money is not his great passion.
In sum, He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man. He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. The verdict: That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD. Here is a true believer then, a man of God.
What about you? Are you seeking to turn from all idols and to be sexually pure and to help the needy? Such people are alive. Theirs is eternal life. Of course, we all fail to live up to the standards we ought to reach but is this the direction of your life? As you look to Christ is this where you are heading? Such people are righteous in God's eyes.
2. Consider this description of the wickedness that leads to death
2. Consider this description of the wickedness that leads to death
It then says (10, 11) Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things (though the father has done none of them):
1 He is an idolater. He eats at the mountain shrines
1 He is an idolater. He eats at the mountain shrines
2 He is sexually immoral. He defiles his neighbour's wife
3. He is guilty of oppression and exploitation. He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things. He lends at usury and takes excessive interest.
Well, Will such a man live? He will not! If a man's life is made up of such things how can he be saved? Because he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death and his blood will be on his own head. He cannot argue that because his father was righteous he should be saved can he? No, his blood will be on his own head.
Well, Will such a man live? He will not! If a man's life is made up of such things how can he be saved? Because he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death and his blood will be on his own head. He cannot argue that because his father was righteous he should be saved can he? No, his blood will be on his own head.
As you know, it is no good anyone here thinking that he's okay because his parents are Christians. No, God judges us as individuals and if we live ungodly lives, regardless of our parentage or coming to church or anything else -we will be judged.
3. Consider this repeat description of righteousness and how God proceeds
3. Consider this repeat description of righteousness and how God proceeds
Next we come to the grandson. 14 But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:
1 He is not an idolater. 15 He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. At the mountain shrines animals sacrificed to idols were eaten.
2 He is sexually pure. He does not defile his neighbour's wife.
3 He is not given to oppression or exploitation. 16ff He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He withholds his hand from sin and takes no usury or excessive interest. In sum He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.
Again He will not die for his father's sin; he will surely live. It's very simple, very fair (18) only his father will die for his own sin, because he practised extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.
1 He is not an idolater. 15 He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. At the mountain shrines animals sacrificed to idols were eaten.
2 He is sexually pure. He does not defile his neighbour's wife.
3 He is not given to oppression or exploitation. 16ff He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He withholds his hand from sin and takes no usury or excessive interest. In sum He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.
Again He will not die for his father's sin; he will surely live. It's very simple, very fair (18) only his father will die for his own sin, because he practised extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.
So don't think not having Christian parents is an insurmountable problem either. Regardless of parentage, you can be righteous if you trust in Christ and live for him. I urge you to it whatever your background
It's very fair then, yet the people were asking, as they still ask today (19) Why does the son not share the guilt of his father? But the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. Here is the principle again (20) The soul who sins is the one who will die. With regard to actual sin guilt does not pass on genetically. Just as with personal debts - they are not normally passed on from generation to generation. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.
3. Recognise your vital need of repentance and perseverance
It's very fair then, yet the people were asking, as they still ask today (19) Why does the son not share the guilt of his father? But the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. Here is the principle again (20) The soul who sins is the one who will die. With regard to actual sin guilt does not pass on genetically. Just as with personal debts - they are not normally passed on from generation to generation. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.
3. Recognise your vital need of repentance and perseverance
So what shall we do about all this? You may say to me 'I can see that it depends on me. I can't blame my parents for my sins or think that because they are good I'll be okay. But I'm not sure if I'm righteous or not.' Listen further.
1. Recognise the vital need for you to repent from wickedness
1. Recognise the vital need for you to repent from wickedness
What if you examine yourself – and I do urge you to self-examination - and you discover that you are a wicked person? These categories are not set in stone. We are no more condemned to repeating the follies of our parents than we are to repeating our own. See 21, 22 But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offences he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Think about this – God asks in 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? Does God enjoy sending people to hell? Of course not. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
If only we could all see that and be truly convinced of it this morning. I know there have been cruel torturers and prison guards in the past (and no doubt in the present) who love to see people suffer. Sadists exist. But God is not like that at all. Hell gives him no pleasure at all. Oh yes, it satisfies his justice but his desire is to see people escape that horror forever in Jesus Christ. Why else would he have sent his Son?
2. Recognise the vital need for you to persevere in righteousness
2. Recognise the vital need for you to persevere in righteousness
On the other hand you may examine yourself and find that though you are not perfect the trend of your life is, by God's grace, going in a righteous direction. Hear this warning (24) But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die. There isn't a righteous act we can do to save ourselves. We can never sit back in this life and say 'I'm okay I've done enough good to get to heaven'. It isn't like that. The wicked must always turn from sin and the righteous must never turn back to it.
Are you tempted to give up sometimes? 'What's the point?' you feel. Realise that the Christian life is a life full of righteous deeds. We are not saved by what we do but if our faith is real, it will continue to produce good deeds. A good apple tree will continue to produce fruit year after year. So the man of God is one who produces fruit in season and whose leaf doesn't wither. Don't give up!
3. Remember the fair principles on which God works
3. Remember the fair principles on which God works
Again we have the observation (25) Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not just. And the reply Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? Yes, we blame God for so many things but we are the problem are we not? God is very fair (26) If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. It is not enough to be a Christian for one day or simply to pretend to be a Christian. It has to last all your life. Jesus speaks of seed on the path, in shallow ground or choked by thorns. There are many like that. Perseverance is so important.
Are you the persevering sort? Proverbs 24:16 says though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.
Then this word of hope (27, 28) But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offences he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die.
Then this word of hope (27, 28) But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offences he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die.
You look at your life and what do you see? There is wickedness all around – idols in your heart, sexual sins, a failure to care for the needy and inordinate love of money. It all looks hopeless. But listen, if you will simply turn away from the wickedness you have committed and do what is just and right, all will be well. But, you say, 'I have tried to do that and failed'. Yes, that is why you need Jesus Christ in your life. Without him not only can you not be forgiven but you will not be able to be righteous in the way you live either. Ezekiel does not spell it out here but elsewhere in Scripture it is spelled out. We must be righteous and we can only do it in him. Look to him!
Yet there is the complaint again in 29 and the question Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust? You think about it.
4. A call to repent and be renewed
Yet there is the complaint again in 29 and the question Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust? You think about it.
4. A call to repent and be renewed
So this is how it is. God says to Israel, as he says to us all (30) I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. There is going to be a day of judgement. Now let's be clear about this - we will be judged then on what we have done. It isn't simply a matter of saying 'I believe in Jesus'. Faith in Christ is vital, of course. We cannot do anything truly good without that. The person who has no faith has no good deeds. If you are trusting in Christ, however, it will lead to good deeds – devotion to God, sexual purity, helping those in need, and so on. Those who have done such things will be rewarded for their good deeds. So what do we need to do? It is simple really - Repent! Turn away from all your offences; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Turn away from every sin – "The dearest idol I have known what e'er that idol be, help me to tear it from Thy throne and worship only Thee". Forsake any and every sexual sin. Stop living for money and for things. Think about others and their needs. Do what you can to help them. Look to God for a new heart and a new spirit – things that he alone can give.
My final plea to you is this - Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! There can be no life without repentance. Repent daily. Remember the first of Luther's famous 95 theses Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said repent, willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.
My final plea to you is this - Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! There can be no life without repentance. Repent daily. Remember the first of Luther's famous 95 theses Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said repent, willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.
