15 August 2020
The Lord says:
Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me,
and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!
Why will you die, O house of Israel?
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God.
Turn, then, and live.’
From Ezekiel 18: 1-10, 13, 30-32 (NRSV)
Ezekiel is writing at a time of transition. Society was moving from a sense of tribal responsibility towards a new appreciation of people being responsible for their own actions. Earlier in the reading, Ezekiel has contrasted the father who tries to live an upright life with that of a son who is violent and anti-social. Although the father may have some responsibility, there comes a point where the son is accountable for his own behaviour. Even for him, all is not lost if he turns away from his sin and renews his heart and spirit. The Lord, Ezekiel assures us, does not want to punish but to give life.
- How responsible can adults be for the behaviour of others?
- How can we help those who have turned from God to turn back and find favour with God and others?
It may be that someone has come to your mind and heart as you read or heard this – someone who may be a parent fearing for one of their children – or an adult-child going off the rails. Pray for them today. If you have no-one specific, pray for this need in general.
