IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Everyone Belongs to Me

Date: Oct. 18, 2018

Passage

Ezekiel 18:1-18 (ESV)

The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

“If a man is righteous and does what is just and right—if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord GOD.

10 “If he fathers a son who is violent, a shedder of blood, who does any of these things 11 (though he himself did none of these things), who even eats upon the mountains, defiles his neighbor’s wife, 12 oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore the pledge, lifts up his eyes to the idols, commits abomination, 13 lends at interest, and takes profit; shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself.

14 “Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise: 15 he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife, 16 does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, 17 withholds his hand from iniquity, takes no interest or profit, obeys my rules, and walks in my statutes; he shall not die for his father’s iniquity; he shall surely live. 18 As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 18:4

Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

1. Both alike belong to me (1-4)

There was a proverb in Israel suggesting that children suffered the consequences of their parents' action. But God is not constrained by human proverbs. He judges each one according to their own actions. He judges sin. We do not belong to ourselves. Everyone belongs to the Lord, and he judges each one justly.

2. A man and his sons (5-18)

The Lord judges each one according to their deeds. The righteous man who practices faithfulness and love for God will surely live. If his son is a violent man he will not live because his father was righteous, he will die for his own sins. But if the violent man's son repents and lives a righteous life, he will live. God is the judge, and he is just. Every person belongs to him who judges justly. He is the source of life and righteousness in this sinful world.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, help me to follow your word that I may be righteous and have life, for I belong to you.

One Word: We belong to the Lord

Daily Bread

In the End, Have Faith in God

Genesis 49:29-50:26

Key Verse: 49:50:24

When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

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Intro Daily

Today's Question

What benefits in this life go with or come from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

See answer and references