Why Will You Die?

Ezekiel 18 confronts a popular proverb in exile: The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge. The saying was half true; Judah's long history of sin had led to the exile. But the people used it to excuse themselves and accuse God of injustice. God's reply was firm: Behold, all souls are mine. Each generation and each person stands before God directly.

God illustrates with three generations. A righteous father does not worship at mountain shrines, does not oppress anyone, gives his bread to the hungry, covers the naked, and executes true justice between man and man; he shall surely live. His violent son cannot claim his father's righteousness. But a grandson who sees his father's sins and fears, and does not do likewise, shall live. Then God applies it within a single life: a wicked man who turns will live, and a righteous man who turns to evil cannot lean on his past.

The people objected that the way of the Lord is not fair. God turned the question back and asked: Aren't your ways unfair? Then comes the great invitation of the chapter. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? God wants him to return from his way and live. God commanded them to cast away all their transgressions and make themselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why will you die, house of Israel? In the New Testament, 1 Timothy 2:3-4 says: For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.