daily scripture 10 march 06

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 9:22am

the book of the prophet ezekiel (kjv)

chapter 18

21 but if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

22 all his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

23 have i any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the lord god: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

24 but when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

25 yet ye say, the way of the lord is not equal. hear now, o house of israel; is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

26 when a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

27 again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

28 because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 9:42am

This passage is sort of God's response to Israel being annoyed about paying for the sins of their forefathers.

What usually throws people off is the idea of the "righteous" person. Note: this is a truly righteous person, not a self-righteous person. So, if someone tastes true righteousness and throw it away, that is something God does not deal with lightly -- because it reflects a hardness of the heart. The wicked who repent are the ones with soft hearts.

Not a whole lot to add to this passage -- I love Ezekiel (one of the most difficult books of the Bible to interpret, but this passage is one of the more straight-forward of them).

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 9:50am

that's what really appealed to me about it, touch. pretty simple, repent the bad that you do and you'll be forgiven. a loving god who wants people to do well, i think.

[grizzabella]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 9:50am

This portion is also a fairly precise summary of Hebraic law, which is calling on Israel to turn their hearts of stone away from their stubborness to God's statutes. It is echoed later by Micah (I think) when he instructs Israel to "Rend your hearts and not your garments," and to "Act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

[beacon1]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 9:59am

" A broken heart and contrite spirit". Important attributes of the righteous.

I appreciate those passages that show God's mercy. He lays out his Plan, explains it through His Prophets, and then lets us choose knowing that we also receive the consequence of those choices.