Redemption in Ezekiel

The exiled nation of Judah shirked personal responsibility for sins by blaming their forefathers. God's answer to the people was, “The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them” (Ezek. 18:20). Redemption comes only after acknowledgment and repentance of sin.

That redemption is pictured in a glorious way in Ezekiel. “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and bring it about that you walk in My statutes, and are careful and follow My ordinances” (Ezek. 36:26-27). “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may walk in My statutes, and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God” (Ezek. 11:19-20). Redemption is ultimately fulfilled in God's Messiah.

Ben