The Jews of Ezekiel’s day asserted that God’s dealings with their nation were not just, because they were suffering, not for their own sins, but for their fathers’. God here makes it clear that he deals with individuals according to their deserts. The guilty

son of a good father does not escape punishment because of his father’s virtues; and the good son of evil parents reaps the reward of his own goodness. What a well of comfort is supplied by vs. 21 and 22! God pledges himself that forgiven sin shall not even be mentioned. This solemn covenant should be appropriated and its fulfillment claimed, by those who through all their lifetime have been subject to bondage because of their past. We must not be content with an outward amendment; there must be, and there can be, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, an inward and radical change. This impossible command drives us to the Holy Spirit, Ps. 51:10, 12. As Augustine puts it: “Give what thou requirest, and require what thou wilt.”

Ezekiel 33:1-16. The prophet depicts the peasantry of a fertile valley as engaged in pastoral pursuits. It is a peaceful, happy scene; but, creeping through the mountain passes, are their deadliest foes. How necessary that there should be a watchman, trumpet in hand, to give notice; and how unspeakable his guilt if he forbear to sound a warning! We are not responsible for those who refuse to take warning from our announcements, faithfully given; but if we perceive a soul in mortal danger and forbear to warn it, we are not only responsible for its ruin, but we bring awful retribution upon ourselves. Well might Richard Baxter lie awake at night beneath his awful sense of responsibility for the souls of men. God desires our salvation. If only the sinner will confess his sins to the faithful and merciful High Priest, and make such restitution as he can, not one of his sins shall be remembered against him.