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Daily Devotions

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 
Day 
Day 179

"The fathers have eaten sour grapes"

Text: Ezekiel 18:1

AN OLD PROVERBIAL SAYING

Proverbial sayings were common and they abounded in ancient Israel. Proverbs often contain elements of truth but they can sometimes be abused. Proverbial sayings are not always from the Lord. They come from human sources.

“The word of the Lord came to me again, saying,
‘What do you mean when you use this proverb
concerning the land of Israel, saying:
‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
And the children’s teeth are set on edge”?”
Ezekiel 18:1-2

1. “The word of the Lord”

a) This must not be substituted by proverbial sayings.

b) The word of the Lord.

i) The origin is from God Himself.

ii) His word is distinct from human wisdom.

iii) The prophets received direct words of instruction from God.

2. God’s query.

a) He expresses awareness of proverbial sayings.

b) He questions this common proverbial saying.

c) This saying was commonly repeated in the land of Israel.

d) But was this saying true and correct?

3. The proverbial saying:

‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
And the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

a) When one eats sour grapes, the teeth are set on edge.

i) This is natural.

ii) This is expected.

b) The twist.

i) When fathers eat sour grapes their teeth are not set on edge.

ii) Their children’s teeth are set on edge. This was commonly cited.

c) God challenges this proverbial saying:

i) Is that correct?

ii) Is that true?