This entire Chapter in Ezekiel goes back to a old Jewish proverb about the fathers eating sour grapes, but it’s the children’s teeth that are set on edge…or as God said in Exodus 20:5-6, “I, the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of their fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” But in this Chapter of Ezekiel, God is abolishing that old proverb for a new one…The soul who sins will die. The bottom line is, we can be responsible to someone, but we can’t be responsible for them. Each individual has a free will, and their eternal fate is entirely up to the decisions they make…or not. Nor can we “fix” someone who is on the wrong path. Sure, we can encourage, counsel, and point the way, but the very best thing to do is pray for them…allowing the Holy Spirit to draw, convict, and compel.
Safetypinlove 