Podcast Introduction

Being Friday,  we’ll read from one of the books of Prophecy. Today we’ll read   Ezekiel 13-18.   After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Where Does the Buck Stop?”

Comments on Ezekiel 18

Chapter 18 clarifies and even puts to rest the idea that there is such a thing as a generational curse. Some believe that children are sometimes punished for the sins of the parents. The idea stems primarily, I think, from Exodus 20:5:

“You shall not bow down to [idols] or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.”

But listen to verse 20 of our chapter here, chapter 18:

“The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son.

This seems to clearly teach that each person is responsible for their own sin. 

So what’s going on? Is the Bible contradicting itself? When confronting seeming contradictions in the Bible, it is critical to look at context. 

So what is the context in the verse from Exodus? To what is God referring? Let’s read it again. 

“You shall not bow down to [idols] or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.”

This verse is talking about idolatry. We know that God hates idolatry, don’t we? So does He hate it bad enough that He will punish multiple generations because of the ancestors? No. Remember what I said a few times on yesterday’s episode? God does not change. 

So what is the answer? How do we resolve this conundrum? 

A person, or a generation that practices idolatry is likely to create a culture of this behavior, isn’t it? If I have an altar to a false god in my home, my children are going to be raised to accept that as normal. So when they have a family, it is more than likely that they will have an altar to a false god in their home. And so it goes, from generation to generation. 

Each generation is responsible for their own behavior, but when they are raised in a culture that accepts sin, it’s more likely that they will accept sin.

But it does not have to be this way. I was not raised in a Christian home. My dad was very anti church. He thought it was all just so much hogwash. So it could have been assumed that I would follow in his footsteps in this arena, right? But God, in His infinite mercy, touched my heart and give me the faith to believe in Jesus. There were probably a thousand different things that I was exposed to as I grew up to bring me to the awareness that Jesus is who He said He is, and that I need Him in my life. So I asked Jesus to be my Savior when I was a teenager, and I spent most of the rest of my dad’s life praying for him. And shortly before he died, he finally gave his heart to Jesus. But of course, he had to make that decision for himself. My salvation could not save him, any more than his sins could not condemn me. 

Chapter 18 ends with a confirmation that God is a God of mercy. He wants to forgive sins. He says, “Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!”

I’m so glad that God made a way for us to escape the consequences of our sins, aren’t you? Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” 

If you have never accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, you can do that now. He offers this gift to you right where you are, in whatever condition you are. He sees you, and no matter what is in your past, He loves you and He died for your sins. And because He was resurrected after three days, He showed that He has the power to forgive your sins. If you want to experience the forgiveness that He can bring, you can do that right now. Just pray this prayer that I’m about to pray. Repeat after me, either quietly to yourself, or out loud. Here we go:

Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I believe that you died so that I could be forgiven. Jesus, right now, I accept the gift of salvation that you offer, and I ask that you would forgive me now. Thank you for loving me so much that you would do this for me. Help me, Lord, to live for You now. Make me the person you want me to be. I pray this in your name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, congratulations. You are now a child of God. You are a new creation in Christ. Maybe you felt something when you prayed that prayer, maybe you didn’t. But the fact is that the forgiveness of God is not dependent on our feelings, it is based solely on God’s promise. Remember that. 

I encourage you to write to me at st***@*************ia.com and let me know you prayed that prayer with me. I would like to help you get started on the right foot as you begin your walk with Jesus. Just drop me a short email.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 13-15 CEB; Ch. 16-18 NIV

Support

This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising equals censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring One Year Bible Rewind, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and donate here: SUPPORT.

The Team

Transcript Correction: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Denise
Podcasting 2.0 Chapters: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Sean of San Pedro and Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Michael Haner
Show Art: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Scott Snider and Lifespring Family Berean Jason Paschall
Newsletter Publisher: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney

Transcript

Transcript not corrected.