Gene Cunningham - September 25, 2003
Ezekiel #18
Eze 18:3 says that Jews were is falsely interpreted Exo 20:5 as "the generational curse", namely, you suffer because something your father or grandfather did. If the father is faithful he'll live (Eze 18:5-9); if the son is unfaithful he'll die (Eze18:10-13); if the grandson reverts to his grandfather's faithfulness he'll live (Eze 18:14-17). Repentance is defined by turning back to the Lord; God has no pleasure in the wicked dying (Eze 18:21-23). "Naham" Hebrew for difficultly breathing or regret. "Shuv" means to change your attitude. "Apostasy" is turning away from the Lord - the same word for repent but in context is turning to the Lord (Eze 18:24, Jam 1:13-15). Judas had remorse; he was sorry, but he did not repent - Greek "metanoeo". Sorry is not repentance (2Co 7:10) but can motivate. David repented (2Sa 13:1-39), but could not change the consequences. Propitiation means that God is satisfied and doesn't need anything more to be moved to compassion toward us. He is not waiting for visible sorrow. One of the most evil people in history, Manasseh, was worse than Ahab; he burned his children and set up idols in the temple (2Cr 33:1-10, 2Ki 21:7). Manasseh repented when Assyria removed him (2Cr 33:11-22). God loves to display His power in Grace (2Cr 33:13). Results and consequences kept Manasseh from turning everything around (2Cr 33:17). God wipes the slate clean (Heb 10:17).
Repentance and saving faith are not the same.
Scripture References: Ezekiel 18:5-9, Exodus 20:5, Hebrews 10:17, Ezekiel 18:3, James 1:13-15, Ezekiel 18:24, Ezekiel 18:21-23, Ezekiel 18:14-17
From Series: "Ezekiel - 2002"
Ezekiel's vision of God's glory effected his life.