Ezekiel 18:21-32

B. The Potential of Personal Repentance 18:21-32

TRANSLATION

(21) But if the wicked one turns from all his sins which he has done, and keeps all My statutes, and deals justly and righteously, he shall surely live, he shall not die. (22) All of his transgressions which he has done shall not be remembered against him; in his righteousness which he has done he shall live. (23) Do I have delight in the death of the wicked? (oracle of the Lord GOD); is it not when he turns from his way and lives? (24) But when a righteous man turns from his righteousness, and does iniquity according to all the abominations which the wicked has done, shall he live? All his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered for his trespass which he committed, and for his sin which he has sinned, in them he shall die. (25) And you say, The way of the Lord is not even. Hear now, O house of Israel: Is it My way that is not even? Is it not your ways which are not even? (26) When a righteous man turns from his righteousness, and does iniquity, he shall die because of them; for his iniquity which he has done he shall die. (27) And when the wicked man turns from his wickedness which he has done, and executes justice and righteousness, he shall cause his soul to live. (28) Because he considers, and turns from all his transgressions which he has done, he shall surely live, he shall not die. (29) Yet the house of Israel have said, The way of the Lord is not even. Is it My ways which are not even, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways which are not even? (30) Therefore, I will judge you, O house of Israel (oracle of the Lord GOD), each according to his ways. Return, and cause others to turn, from your transgressions, that iniquity might not be a stumblingblock to you. (31) Cast away from all your transgressions which you have committed; and make for yourself a new heart and a new spirit; for why will you die, O house of Israel. (32) For I do not delight in the death of the one who dies (oracle of the Lord GOD); wherefore, turn yourselves and live.

COMMENTS

In Ezekiel 18:21-29 Ezekiel carries his subject one step further. Men are not locked in either genetically or environmentally to a life of sin. By the grace of God and the assertion of their own free will men can change their character, conduct and destiny. In these verses the basic thesis is that men are not punished for sins after they repent of them.

In genuine repentance there are two clearly defined steps turning from sin, and keeping the law of God. The Jewish Rabbis speak of the essential elements of repentance being remorse and amendment. If a wicked man genuinely repents he shall escape the divine death sentence (Ezekiel 18:21). None of his former transgressions shall be remembered against him. Because of his present righteousness he shall live (Ezekiel 18:22).

God takes no delight in the fact that sinners must die for their sins. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The repentance of the wicked causes no change in the will of God, since His will is that all men should have life eternal (Ezekiel 18:23).

The fairness and justice of God are frequently called into question by perverse and ignorant men. The Jews in Jerusalem and Babylon were saying (or at least thinking) that God's manner of ruling the universe was inconsistent. God is unchanging in His nature. He is absolutely righteous and must therefore punish sin. At the same time He is merciful and gracious and therefore is inclined to recognize the feeble efforts of His children to execute His way. God does not change; but men constantly change in relationship to God (Ezekiel 18:25). The rays of the sun are constant; but in the course of the earth's rotation darkness falls upon a portion of the planet. So the righteous man who turns away from the warmth of God's love faces inevitably the darkness of death (Ezekiel 18:26). By the same token the wicked man by an act of his own free will may decide to walk in the light of God's word. He will do those things which are lawful in the eyes of men and right in the sight of God. Thus he will save his life (Ezekiel 18:27). His consideration of the fate of the wicked causes him to make this about face (Ezekiel 18:28). This being the case, how can the house of Israel continue to perversely charge God with inconsistency. If they have experienced the wrath of God it is because they have changed in relationship to Him (Ezekiel 18:29).

The former wicked deeds of the penitent sinner are not held against him. Neither are the former righteous acts of the backslider credited to his account. Such a backslider has committed a trespass and a sin. He has rebelled against God in casting aside his former way of life, and he has willfully adopted a sinful life. For this twofold transgression he must die the death of a sinner (Ezekiel 18:24).

God judges each individual separately. This being the case, Ezekiel pleads with his hearers to repent and to seek to get others to repent. Otherwise iniquity would be a stumblingblock to them which would ultimately mean their doom (Ezekiel 18:30). Like an unclean and loathsome thing all transgression must be cast away. They must make for themselves a new heart and a new spirit, i.e., they must have a firm resolve to be faithful and obedient. Otherwise they would die a tragic and unnecessary death[336] (Ezekiel 18:31). God does not desire to so punish sinners. Therefore, repentance is urgent (Ezekiel 18:32).

[336] In Ezekiel 11:19 God gives the new heart and spirit. Here they must make it for themselves.