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Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 351

"But every one shall die for his own iniquity"

Text: Jeremiah 31:30

A WRONG PROVERBIAL SAYING

There were many wrong beliefs and practices of ancient Israel. These had to be addressed and dealt with effectively.

“In those days they shall say no more:
‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
And the children’s teeth are set on edge.’
But every one shall die for his own iniquity;
every man who eats the sour grapes,
his teeth shall be set on edge.”
Jeremiah 31:29-30

1. “In those days they shall say no more”

a) There was a time when this proverb was used widely.

b) There will come a time when this saying would no longer be used.

2. “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”

a) Sour grapes when consumed may cause a person’s teeth to be on edge.

b) This became:

i) A proverbial saying with a twist.

ii) If a father eats sour grapes, the children’s teeth are on edge.

c) Some chose to do wrong (eating sour grapes).

i) They think they would not be penalised.

ii) Their children would suffer (and some did not care).

3. “But every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge”

a) The LORD corrected this wrong understanding.

b) The person who does the wrong thing will die for his iniquity.

c) He will suffer the full consequences and not his children.

d) This was a very necessary word of correction.