Iniquity
Ezekiel 18:19-20 “Yet say ye, Why? Doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all My statutes, and hath done them, he shall live.
The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
It had been a common thought that the children would bear some of the sins of the fathers….for it made them feel that they were suffering for someone else’s sin. (Duet. 24:16)
But the Lord speaks plainly here….that each soul stands before Him in their own righteousness or their own iniquity.
The Lord was speaking to His own people….those that should have known His Word…should have known HIs Way.
Iniquity is anything unequal to our high calling in God.
Iniquity is used here for the Lord was speaking about those given high privileges indeed….yet who refused His blessing of drawing nigh to Him….
…..and instead drew back from Him and HIs laws.
Israel had become unequal….although they accused the Lord of being unequal in His Ways (Ezekiel 18:25).
On the one side in the balance….was God’s deliverances, HIs Word, His Temple and sacrifices, and His prophets awaking them to His demands.
On the other side was to be their obedience, concern for others (esp. Their brethren the Israelites) and to rejoice in HIs presence.
But the balances were unequal….not because of God’s correction….but because they had let the law of forgiveness become a burden, not a joy.
(Is confessing our daily sins becoming a burden to us? 1 John 1:9 or is it a joy to come and keep things right, up to date before our Lord?)
Giving to God HIs dues in tithes and offerings became too much….they wanted more for themselves. Yet they demanded His blessing on what they did give!
(Is our giving become a chore? Or are we resentful to God about His tithes and offerings, which should be given with cheerfulness? Malachi 3:10)
Ezekiel 18:26-28 “When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.”
The Lord tells Ezekiel to tell them….it is a personal ongoing walk with God….not based on their fathers or mothers or what went on before.
If the righteous commit iniquity….they know they are doing wrong….then they will die in their iniquity.
If the wicked “considereth”…which means if they will see, perceive, discern; which is the first step to repentance (Duet. 32:29 “O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!”).
If they would consider…and turn from their iniquity…”from all his transgressions”–he shall live.
God is not minimizing this person’s sin….for He calls them “iniquity” and “all his transgressions”….yet this man, if he considers and turns, will be forgiven and live.
Ezekiel 18:29-30 “Yet saith the house of Israel, the way of the Lord is not equal….
Therefore I will judge you,…everyone according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.”
So far from God punishing them for other’s iniquities….He will not even punish them for their own—if they will turn from sin to righteousness.
How the Lord loved them!….to patiently again and again tell them to “consider and turn”.
(This message of the righteous and the wicked was repeated in Ezekiel in three chapters: 3, 18, 33 which was the last time Ezekiel prophesied to the captives….after that he prophesied to other nations, of future events, and of the last days….but never again did he call the people to “consider and turn”. Tradition says that he was killed by one of the princes of the people that he rebuked for his sin.)
The Lord tells them that they do themselves no good by blaming their parents, their circumstances, etc…. refusing to see their responsibility, personally to Him.
He will judge according to our own doings.
Ezekiel 18:31-32 “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”
“ Cast away from you”….as filthy garments (Isaiah 64:6)…and
“Make you a new heart and a new spirit”….how?
Turn yourselves to Me….and live. (Psalm 69:32)
Jesus Christ said plainly:
“…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6)
Iniquity is anything unequal to our high calling in Christ Jesus. Are we enjoying HIs blessings of fellowship with Him and others which are His? (Isaiah 64:4-5)
….or are we listening to the world’s ways, and calling them a burden?
In the Lord’s balances….are we equal, or unequal?
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 