11.18.2014 Old Testament: Eze 18.14–18

To read the Bible in a year, read Ezekiel 17–19 on November 18, In the year of our Lord 2014

By Don Ruhl

While children need to learn from their parents, it is not always from the good example, but from the bad example, that the children not do the same things, as the Lord has said,

“If, however, he begets a son
Who sees all the sins which his father has done,
And considers but does not do likewise;
Who has not eaten on the mountains,
Nor lifted his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,
Nor defiled his neighbor’s wife;
Has not oppressed anyone,
Nor withheld a pledge,
Nor robbed by violence,
But has given his bread to the hungry
And covered the naked with clothing;
Who has withdrawn his hand from the poor
And not received usury or increase,
But has executed My judgments
And walked in My statutes—
He shall not die for the iniquity of his father;
He shall surely live!
As for his father,
Because he cruelly oppressed,
Robbed his brother by violence,
And did what is not good among his people,
Behold, he shall die for his iniquity.”
(Ezekiel 18.14–18) 

Sometimes a child has to look at his parent’s bad example and see the consequences, especially if it offends God, and then follow the Lord.