Scripture Reading : Ezekiel 18
Theme : Disputing the Justice of God
Proverb versus Principle (1-4)
The exiles would not repent because they think God is unjust. To them, God is punishing them for their ancestors’ sins. They are fatalistic and irresponsible. God rebukes their wrong thinking. Individuals are judged by God based on their own actions and attitudes, not based on their ancestors. This truth is also taught in Exodus 34:7. God is a righteous judge. Although the offspring bear the consequences of their ancestors’ sins (that’s why they are in exile), they do not bear the guilt of their ancestors’ sins. They can escape God’s judgement by submitting to His lordship and obeying God. Mankind is not trapped in fatalism. Fatalism is an excuse for reneging personal responsibility and for misjudging God’s righteous judgement. An incorrect view of the doctrine of election can also lead to fatalism.
Principle Illustrated (5-18).
This principle of individual responsibility is illustrated through a righteous father, an unrighteous son, and a righteous grandson. Every individual in every generation is accountable to God for his own attitudes and sins. This passage is not teaching salvation by works. Salvation in the OT occurs when one has faith in God as his master, not idols. True faith in God as king naturally results in obedience (Matt. 7:23). For the Jews, their faith is lived out according to the Mosaic Covenant, which as a whole does not apply to the church (Heb. 8:13). But Christians are under the law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:21), which overlaps with some laws in the Mosaic Covenant, but also has differences. Disobedience may indicate a false faith, which results in physical and spiritual death. Idol worship is a clear indication of spiritual death. A believer who disobeys will be disciplined by God, even to the point of physical death (1 Cor. 11:30).
Principle Explained (19-32).
God justifies His principle by saying He takes no pleasure in the death of anyone, including sinners. Sinful mankind normally sees judgment as God’s delight. Nothing could be further from God’s desire, else He would not have sent his only Son to be judged on the cross for the sin of the whole world (1 John 2:1–2). God is love, but He also will never acquit the guilty (Nahum 1:3). A guilty person cannot acquit his present sin because of his past goodness. That would result in a chaotic justice system. One’s standing before God is based on the individual’s attitudes and actions in the present, not the past.
Praying the Scripture
- It is ridiculous to argue with God about His righteousness since God is the very standard of righteousness. The fact that one can even have a sense of righteousness to use to argue against God tells us that God is righteous. For if God is not righteous, we would not even have a sense of righteousness to argue with God. A believer should never argue or doubt God’s righteousness in a prideful way, he can certainly try to understand God’s righteousness in a humble way if he does not understand. The ruler of the world will judge justly (Gen 18:25). All His way are righteous (Deut. 32:4). Pray that you will humbly understand God’s righteous judgment and agree with Him.
- Most people in the world think they will be saved if their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds. But God’s passing grade is not 51%, but 100%. Passing grade is not determined by students. 100% righteousness can only be given to us through our faith and union in Jesus, who gives us His complete righteousness. Thank God for your salvation every day. You are not worthy of it. Be humble.
经文：以西结书18
主题：争辩神的公平
俗语与道理（1-4）。
被掳之民不肯悔改，因为他们认为神不公平。在他们看来，神是因着他们列祖的罪惩罚他们。他们以为这就是宿命，不愿担当责任；神为此斥责他们。神要按个人的所作所为施行审判，不凭祖宗的义如此行。这个真理也在出埃及记34:7有所教导。神是公义的审判者。被掳之民虽然确实是在承担他们先辈之罪的后果（因此被放逐），却无需担当他们的愧疚。他们可以降服于神的主权并遵行祂的诫命，从而逃离神的审判。人无需被自认为存在的“宿命”困锁。那仅是推卸自身责任，扭曲神公义之审判的借口。对神拣选之教义的错误理解也能叫人相信宿命。
展现道理（5-18）。
神借着一个公义之父、不义之子和公义之孙阐述个人要担当罪责的道理。每一世代的每一个人都要为自己的所作所为向神交账。这段经文不是在教导我们人能因行为称义。旧约的圣徒是借着信靠神为他的主，弃绝偶像，从而得救的。真正信神是君王的人自然会遵行祂的话（太7:23）。对犹太人而言，他们是按摩西之约的律法行出他们的信心，但教会无需按此（来8:13），却都在基督的律法之下（林前9:21）。两者有相似之处，但也有所不同。悖逆或许是假信心的象征，其结果是肉体和灵性上的死。偶像崇拜则能清楚表明个人灵里的死亡。悖逆的信徒会被神管教，甚至面对肉体死亡（林前11:30）。
解释道理（19-32）。
神解释祂的道理时阐明了祂不喜悦任何人的死亡，包括罪人的。罪恶的人类普遍认为神喜悦施行审判，但这与神的心肠恰恰相反，否则祂是不会差遣祂的独生子钉十字架，代世人的罪受审判（约一2:1-2）。神是爱，但祂万不以有罪的为无罪（鸿1:3）。审判官是无法凭罪人过去所行之义宣判他无罪的，否则这将形成一个混乱的法律制度。人在神面前的地位是凭着他当前的行为和意念，而不是他的过去。
用经文祷告
- 与神争辩祂是否公义是荒谬的，因为神就是公义的标准。实际上，人之所能应用他的正义感与神理论便告诉我们神是公义的，因为若不是，我们就不会拥有这份正义感驱使我们与神理论。然而，信徒是不当以骄傲的心争辩或怀疑神是否公义；倘若他真不明白，他能抱着一颗虚心尝试理解神的公义。掌管世界万物的必然要凭公义施行审判（创18:25）。他所行的无不公平（申32:4）。祷告你会以谦卑之心明白神的公义审判并认同祂的作为。
- 世人多数认为只要善行超越恶行，他们便能得救。可是，神的及格标准不是51分，而是100分。在考试中能否及格不是由学生而定。完全的公义唯有借着我们在耶稣里的信心和联合才能享得，因为耶稣赐予我们祂的完全公义。要每日为你的救恩感谢神。你是不配的。要谦卑。
