God corrects a false proverb

By Steve Leininger

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081322.cfm
Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32 
Matthew 19:13-15 

Today’s first reading is from the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel, which is the third of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew Bible and one of the major prophetic books, following Isaiah and Jeremiah. It starts out:

The word of the LORD came to me:
Son of man, what is the meaning of this proverb
that you recite in the land of Israel:

"Fathers have eaten green grapes,
thus their children's teeth are on edge"?

As I live, says the Lord GOD:
I swear that there shall no longer be anyone among you
who will repeat this proverb in Israel. [Ezekiel 18:1-3]

God is clearly not happy here. It would probably be a good idea to get some clarity on the situation so that we don’t do something to upset him. Like Ezekiel, we need to understand the proverb God is objecting to: "Fathers have eaten green grapes, thus their children's teeth are on edge.” By green grapes, the proverb is referring to unripe grapes, which, if you have ever tried them, are VERY sour, not at all tasty and enjoyable. 

So what about “the children’s teeth are on edge?” Think of a sudden involuntary response, like that of fingernails on a blackboard (if you’re old enough to remember that) or simply a full-face pucker from eating early grapes. The point of the proverb is that if the father makes poor choices, his children will suffer the consequences.

After admonishing Ezekiel to “no longer . . . repeat this proverb in Israel,” God proclaims:

For all lives are mine;
the life of the father is like the life of the son, both are mine;
only the one who sins shall die. [Ezekiel 18:4]

God continues with those qualities that make a man virtuous, including:

• He does what is right and just
  
• He does not eat on the mountains
  
• He does not raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel
  
• He oppresses no one
  
• He gives back the pledge received for a debt
  
• He commits no robbery
  
• He gives food to the hungry and clothes the naked
  
• He holds off from evildoing
  
• He judges fairly between a man and his opponent
  
• He lives by my (God’s) statutes and is careful to observe my (His) ordinances
  

If the man can do ALL of this, he is virtuous and he surely shall live. Simple enough. 

But if the man has a son who is a thief, a murderer, or violates any of the things on the list above (and this part was cut from today’s reading)) “even though the father does none of them,” then:

… this son certainly shall not live.
Because he practiced all these abominations, he shall surely die;
his death shall be his own fault. [Ezekiel 18:13b]

There is the BIG difference . . . “his death will be his own fault.” The virtue of the father will not cover for the son if he goes bad.

About half of the verses in this chapter were then skipped for today’s reading. Are you curious what you missed? I was!! 

God continues explaining, using an example of a son who sees the sins of a less than virtuous father, but “fears and does not imitate him.”

If the son follows the virtuous list (above) and:

… refrains from evildoing, accepts no interest or usury, but keeps my ordinances and walks in my statutes—this one shall not die for the sins of his father. He shall surely live!

Only the father, since he committed extortion and robbed his brother, and did what was not good among his people—he will die because of his sin!

You ask: “Why is not the son charged with the guilt of his father?” Because the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to observe all my statutes—he shall surely live!

The son shall not be charged with the guilt of his father, nor shall the father be charged with the guilt of his son. Justice belongs to the just, and wickedness to the wicked. [Ezekiel 18:17-20]

So, you are going to be held personally responsible for your own actions. You can’t blame it on anyone but yourself. This is really bad if you have unvirtuous behaviors in your past. You seem to be kinda stuck. 

But wait, there’s more!!

The Lord God continues:

But if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die!

None of the crimes he has committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the justice he has shown. [Ezekiel 18:21-22]

It seems the list of virtuous behavior can redeem a sinner. Good news, indeed!

Our first reading concludes with God’s affirmation:

Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel,
each one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD.

Turn and be converted from all your crimes,
that they may be no cause of guilt for you.

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed,
and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Why should you die, O house of Israel?
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,
says the Lord GOD. Return and live!

We cannot blame our parents or others for our shortcomings. Each one of us must strive to be right, just, and virtuous in God’s eyes.

“Each according to your ways” God reminds us. ”Return and live.”