Many of the sins of past generations continue to sow their seeds in present generations (through genetics, prejudices and generational wealth and poverty). The same might be said about the parable Ezekiel quotes: “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” There is deep truth in this parable. You may have heard one definition of heresy: a truth pressed too far. And he’s coming at you, and at me, right now! Ezekiel 18:1-4 - Sour grapes God is judging God’s people on the basis of present actions, which are matters of life and death.” Get ready. So, the courageous prophet steps up, as Ezekiel did during the time of exile, saying: “This judgment from God is not about what your grandfather or great-grandmother did or didn’t do. This communal perspective on sin is built into the warp and woof of biblical thinking - see, for example, Exodus 34:7, which speaks of “visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children and the children’s children.” Sometimes God’s people try to use this truth as a way to ameliorate their own culpability regarding present sins by claiming that they don’t themselves participate in racism, or that they treat all people with civility and respect. We all bear collective responsibility for the sins of our forebears (think chattel slavery), and our great-grandchildren will undoubtedly suffer because of some of the sins we are now committing (think climate change).

Scripture passage and lesson focus: Ezekiel 18:1-9, 30-32

Sins of a solar prophet