DCLM Daily Manna 12 July 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Unscriptural Proverb
TOPIC: Unscriptural Proverb (DCLM Daily Manna 12 July 2023)
KEY VERSE: “What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?” (Ezekiel 18:2).
TEXT: Ezekiel 18:1-18 (KJV)
1 The word of the Lord came unto me again, saying,
2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?
3 As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
5 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
6 And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
9 Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God.
10 If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things,
11 And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour’s wife,
12 Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
14 Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father’s sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,
15 That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour’s wife,
16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.
MESSAGE:
While in captivity in Babylon, the Jews twisted God’s flawless justice template by arguing that regardless of the children’s righteous living, they would still be punished for the transgressions of their parents. They believed their exile was as a result of their fathers’ sins, with little consideration for their own righteousness.
Nevertheless, the Lord sent His servant, Prophet Ezekiel, to correct them firmly. Promptly, the Lord set the record straight. The father or mother would bear the consequences of their wrongdoings. A justice-seeking God would not transfer the guilt or punishment of the departed or living parents to the godly offspring. Equally, He would not on account of the rebellion of the children, destroy their faithful parents.
We all ought to have a clear understanding of the Scriptures that God holds individuals answerable for their deeds. A person may spring from a godly home and yet disavow the holiness standard of the other members of the family. On the final day, however, “every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). This truth should guide against the danger of hiding in religiosity or nominal Christianity to engage in negligent living.
Scriptural parenting, the type received by Joseph, Samuel, Esther, Timothy and others, is necessary to raise God-fearing generations. In the long run, however, the Lord would not spare His judgment on individuals, parents or children, who spurned the teachings on holy living mandatory to make heaven.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Everyone shall reap what they have sown. Watch!
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 24-25
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
