This chapter is titled God deals justly with individuals. I studied using multiple version but resolved to use the Amplified for clarity and to gain cross referral from other scripture in the Bible.
From verse 1 to 4 Ezekiel described how the word of God came to him reprimanding the children of Israel using proverbs insinuating that their predicament can solely be the fault of their forefathers. 'The father eat sour grapes which indicates sin but the children's teeth are on edge.' The Lord said they will not use such Proverbs as long as He lives. He admonishes the children of Israel to pay attention that all souls of those who believe is God's but the souls that sin will die. According to Romans 6:23, 'the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.' I learned here that every one is accountable and responsible for how they live and each soul will give account to God. You cannot blame your eternal destination on your forefathers or others sin, every man must know God for themselves.
From verse 5 to 9 there is a further explanation that the one who keeps the law, that practices justice and righteousness, that truly lives for God, obeying God's command, keeping God's ordinances shall live. There were some points in these verses that insinuates that if you do not fall into the ways of the world, making it the norm of your life but put God first and not place Idols on your heart, you are the one classified as righteous that will live. Only those who seek God will live. It can be humanly difficult to live a life that solely seek God but God can make it possible if you desire such. It might be the most attractive or most pleasant way of living but to seek God is not just about the present but the eternal goal and destination.
From Verse 10 to 13 these verses detailed some behaviours that will warrant a person being forsaken by God that will die and not live because their ways depicts nothing other than sin, idolatry and everything God frowns towards.
From verse 14 to 18 talks about a journey of genuine repentance even if the person is from the lions of sinners but they refuse to participate in the sinful deed but sought after the ordinances of God they will live however their father or generation that fail to seek God and live for God will die as a payment for their sin.
This is eternal death, a total separation from God it's not temporarily. Often times people think when a person dies that's the end, no a chapter concludes here on earth but once a person dies, they start an eternal chapter, their sins can no longer be forgiven or mistakes rectified. It will surely lead to eternal separation from God. But come to think of it why would you put yourself through that when Jesus already paid the part for eternal reconciliation and they ultimate key to partake of this is accepting Jesus and living for Him forever?
From verse 19 to 23 there was a question about a son bearing the punishment for their father's sin when the son practised righteousness and justice. The Lord clearly said only the one who sin will beat the consequences for their sin. The righteousness of each man we directly benefit the man. However, the Lord said if the wicked turns away from their sin, they will live, all their transgression will not be remembered but the mercy of God will make such person live.
🤔 Hmmm! This again shows that God is loving and kind, He is merciful but it doesn't warrant going into sin on purpose. With the guise that God will show mercy on you what if you die in that sin and never had time for repentance?
From verse 24 to 32 there was a dialogue here querying if a righteous man, who's lived righteous all his life now commited sin or went in the way of the wicked will he still live? The Lord said all of his righteous deeds will not be remembered it will be like wiping a slate clean, all that will be seen will be his evil deeds.
This is very scary, this is one reason why you must not take the wrath of God as a joke, it's the reason we as believers must not normalize what God frowns towards. We can't just say well it's the norm now, I am just going to flow with it because in doing so, you don't know when you cross the line from being righteous to be a compliant sinner.
A righteous man that does, remember the death here is not just physical but eternal separation from God, it is as a result of their sin not the wickedness of God. The scripture explains further that the house of Israel keeps saying that the way if the Lord is not right, but the Lord told Ezekiel it is the ways of the people of Israel that is not right. Please note, Israel here is not necessarily the present day Israel, it's you and I, everyone on earth.
In conclusion, this chapter God said He will judge the house of Israel based on their conducts, there is a cry to repeat and turn away from transgressions so that sin will not become a stumbling block. God has no pleasure in the death or eternal separation of anyone He created, for all of us, He is calling us to repentance and true and genuine repentance is by accepting Jesus as your Lord and saviour, then live for Him forever.
Ezekiel 19
This chapter is a funeral poem for the Princes of Israel.
This chapter is a summary of the loss that Israel encountered. The death of Jehohazad when he was carried away by the King of Egypt, and how Jehoiakim descendants of Josiah gave silver and gold of the people to Pharaoh nechoh all these accounts can be found in the book for 2 Kings 23:34.
This scripture summarise the slavery of the children of Israel accounted in 2 Kings 24, the way they were taken to Babylon. The constant death of the young indeed it's a sad situation. How kings were subjects to Nebuchadnezzar. It basically described this unfortunate losses that stems from unrighteousness of the people.
Reading this there are lots of learning points of how the people in position of rulership or leadership can keep those they rule in hardship and slavery due to their unrighteousness. I pray that the Lord will help us all in Jesus name. The take home for me in these chapters is not to allow anything taint my stand in Christ, I know living a righteous life is by the grace of God not the doing of man but you must be a willing participant for God to complete His path in this journey of faith.
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