18:25-29
“The Lord is not just”, “Is it not your ways that are not just?”. Men will often complain that the Lord is not just, when the real problem lies with us. It is we who need to change, not the Lord! The Lord then states a simple rule: if a righteous man turns from righteousness to commit sin he will pay the price. Conversely, if a wicked person turns from evil and does what is right he will live. We will always look to blame someone else, even God. In this chapter we have read of them first of all blaming their ancestors, and then blaming God. Things are not that much different today! Instead of seeking to blame others we should look to ourselves.
18:30-32
“I will judge each of you according to your own ways”. This is the fundamental truth, and the one that the Israelties were trying to avoid at all costs. But there is no escape from the command “Repent!” That is the only way to avoid sin being our downfall. Then in v31 we have the instruction to “get a new heart and a new spirit”. But how can we do this? For when we try to change our hearts we always end up failing. We need a new heart. Later chapters in Ezekiel will talk a lot more about our getting a new heart and spirit. As Jesus said, we need to be born again if we are to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).
The chapter closes with a repeat of the God saying He does not delight in the death of anyone. That is why He says “Repent and live!”
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