Focus
Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.
Read
Ezekiel 18:1-9, 19-24, 29-32
The word of the LORD came to me: 2 What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? 3 As I live, says the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die. 5 If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right– 6 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 during her menstrual period, 7 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, 8 does not take advance or accrued interest, withholds his hand from iniquity, executes true justice between contending parties, 9 follows my statutes, and is careful to observe my ordinances, acting faithfully– such a one is righteous; he shall surely live, says the Lord GOD. 19 Yet you say, “Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?” When the son has done what is lawful and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. 20 The person who sins shall die. A child shall not suffer for the iniquity of a parent, nor a parent suffer for the iniquity of a child; the righteousness of the righteous shall be his own, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be his own. 21 But if the wicked turn away from all their sins that they have committed and keep all my statutes and do what is lawful and right, they shall surely live; they shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions that they have committed shall be remembered against them; for the righteousness that they have done they shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord GOD, and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live? 24 But when the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity and do the same abominable things that the wicked do, shall they live? None of the righteous deeds that they have done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which they are guilty and the sin they have committed, they shall die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. 31 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? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live.
Reflect
Justice is so important because we are to treat people fairly. We are to seek after justice and love our fellow humans. Take note that Ezekiel is not talking about petitioning the government rather he asks these in a personal way. What are you doing? Are you defiling your neighbor’s wife? Are you sharing your bread with others? He does not oppress the needy or poor. Sometimes we want to go and change the world, but many want to start with the top down. How can we think we can change the world if we can’t even change ourselves or do something to affect those around us? As Peter wrote NRS 1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? So judgement starts here in the house of the Lord. What happens to us is a microcosm of the world. I had some youth who were all about global warming and thought they should protest to be active against this crisis. I told them I was not big on that and they were shocked. However, I asked them if they recycled (Because I regularly do), or had asked their parents if they could recycle and they all said no. Justice comes to the house of the LORD. First, we need to be living these things out before we protest and raise a mighty roar.
Pray
Dear LORD help us to seek after You and Your righteousness. Holy Spirit, enable us to live holy lives seeking to live out justice in our lives before demanding it from others. Christ, help us to see our shortcomings and to see others through Your eyes. May we seek to humbly live out the calling You have put in our lives sharing the truth of the gospel in love. Amen
