Ezekiel 18 — Tyndale Study Notes
Ezek.15.1-19.14
This section contains a series of eight metaphors, each reiterating from a different angle the certainty of Jerusalem’s forthcoming judgment. The images are of a worthless vine (ch 15); a faithless wife (ch 16); a vine and two eagles (ch 17); sour grapes (ch 18); a lion and her cubs (ch 19); a sword (ch 21); two degenerate sisters (ch 23); and a cooking pot (ch 24).
Ezek.18.1-2
The people had been quoting an aphorism, The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste, meaning that innocent children sometimes suffer because of their parents’ actions. In Ezekiel’s context, people were using this proverb to imply that the sins that had brought about the Exile had been committed by their forefathers, while they were paying the price (cp. Lam 5:7).
Ezek.18.3-4
The Lord’s response to the proverb of 18:1-2 was to categorically deny that it fit the situation. To the contrary, the Lord consistently punishes only those who are guilty (Deut 24:16). God is unswervingly just.
Ezek.18.5-9
God’s justice is worked out in a case study by following three hypothetical generations. In the first generation, a righteous man was faithful in worshiping the Lord, sexually pure, and fair in dealing with others. A person who lives like that has no need to fear God’s judgment.
Ezek.18.6
does not . . . have intercourse with a woman during her menstrual period: See study note on 36:17; see also Lev 15.
Ezek.18.7
Borrowers might be required to give objects as security to ensure that the loan would be repaid. However, if the object was an outer garment (which might be a poor man’s only valuable possession), it had to be returned before nightfall so that he could remain warm at night (see Exod 22:26-27).
Ezek.18.8
Lending money with interest to those in need was outlawed because of the temptation it presented to abuse the borrower (see Exod 22:25).
Ezek.18.10-13
If the son of a righteous man does not walk in the ways of God or of his father, and his life is the opposite of everything the father stood for, he will be responsible for his own guilt and suffer God’s judgment.
Ezek.18.14-18
The righteous son of an evil man will surely live. God will judge each person individually.
Ezek.18.21-24
Ezekiel introduces two more case studies. Wicked people who turn away from their sins can experience God’s forgiveness, and righteous people who begin sinning will be judged.
Ezek.18.23-24
God does not like to see wicked people die, so he appointed Ezekiel as a watchman, whose role was to turn the wicked toward godly life while warning the righteous against falling away (3:16-19; 33:1-9).
Ezek.18.25-29
Israel’s problem was not that the Lord wasn’t doing what’s right but that they were persistently doing what was wrong. They thoroughly deserved God’s judgment.
Ezek.18.30-32
This chapter concludes with a passionate appeal to the people of Israel to turn back and live. It was not too late for them to repent, turn from their sins, and be forgiven. God promised a new heart and a new spirit (11:19; 36:26) to all who would turn from their rebellion and humbly come to him.