The people of Israel had a proverb: The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge. They meant they were suffering only because of their parents' sins, so it was not their fault. God said they would not use this proverb any more. All souls are mine, he said. The soul of the father and the soul of the son both belong to God, and each is responsible for his own choices.

God described a just man. He does not worship idols, he deals truly, he gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked, and he walks in God's statutes. He shall surely live. If his son chooses to do wrong, the son cannot hide behind his father's goodness. But if the grandson sees his father's sins and does not do likewise, he will live.

Then God gave the heart of the chapter. If a wicked man turns from all his sins and does what is right, none of his transgressions will be remembered against him. God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. The people complained that God's way was not fair, but God answered that their ways were the unfair ones. He called them to cast away their transgressions, make a new heart and a new spirit, and turn and live.

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.