Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?
Cast away from yourselves
The phrase "cast away" comes from the Hebrew word "הַשְׁלִיכוּ" (hashlikhu), which means to throw or hurl away. This implies a decisive and forceful action, suggesting that the people of Israel are to actively and intentionally rid themselves of their sinful behaviors. In a spiritual sense, this is a call to repentance, urging believers to reject sin with determination and not merely passively avoid it. The act of casting away is a metaphor for the rejection of sin, emphasizing the need for a conscious and deliberate turning away from past wrongdoings.

all the transgressions you have committed
The term "transgressions" is derived from the Hebrew word "פְּשָׁעִים" (pesha'im), which refers to rebellious acts or offenses against God. This highlights the gravity of sin as not just a mistake but a willful rebellion against divine law. The use of "all" underscores the comprehensive nature of the repentance required; it is not enough to abandon some sins while clinging to others. The historical context here is significant, as Israel had repeatedly turned away from God, engaging in idolatry and injustice. This call is a reminder of the need for total and sincere repentance.

and fashion yourselves a new heart and a new spirit
The word "fashion" translates from the Hebrew "עֲשׂוּ" (asu), meaning to make or create. This suggests an active role in spiritual renewal, indicating that while God provides the means for transformation, individuals must participate in the process. The "new heart" and "new spirit" symbolize an inner transformation, a renewal of one's innermost being. Biblically, the heart is the center of will and emotion, while the spirit represents one's life force or attitude. This transformation is essential for aligning with God's will, as seen in the broader scriptural narrative where God desires a people who are inwardly righteous, not just outwardly compliant.

Why should you die, O house of Israel?
This rhetorical question serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of sin, which is spiritual death. The Hebrew word for "die" is "תָּמוּתוּ" (tamutu), indicating not just physical death but a separation from God. The "house of Israel" refers to the collective people of God, emphasizing communal responsibility and the impact of individual actions on the community. Historically, this reflects the period of exile and the consequences of Israel's persistent disobedience. Yet, the question also carries a tone of divine compassion and urgency, highlighting God's desire for His people to choose life through repentance and renewal. It is an invitation to embrace the life that God offers, turning away from the path that leads to destruction.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel conveyed God's messages to the Israelites, urging them to repent and turn back to God.

2. House of Israel
Refers to the collective people of Israel, who were in exile due to their disobedience and idolatry.

3. Babylonian Exile
A period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, serving as a backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecies.

4. Transgressions
The sins and rebellious acts committed by the Israelites against God's commandments.

5. New Heart and New Spirit
Symbolic of inner transformation and renewal that God desires for His people.
Teaching Points
Repentance and Renewal
True repentance involves a conscious decision to turn away from sin and embrace a new way of living.

God calls us to actively participate in our spiritual renewal by casting away our sinful behaviors.

The Role of the Heart and Spirit
A new heart and spirit signify a complete transformation that begins internally and manifests externally.

This transformation is essential for living a life that pleases God and aligns with His will.

God’s Desire for Life, Not Death
God’s question, "Why should you die, O house of Israel?" highlights His desire for His people to choose life through obedience and faithfulness.

This reflects God’s overarching plan for redemption and restoration rather than punishment.

Personal Responsibility
Each individual is responsible for their own actions and spiritual state.

We are called to take ownership of our spiritual journey and seek God’s help in transforming our hearts.

Hope for Restoration
Despite past transgressions, there is always hope for renewal and restoration through God’s grace.

This hope is available to all who earnestly seek God and commit to His ways.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does it mean to "cast away" transgressions in the context of your daily life?

2. How can you actively participate in the process of receiving a new heart and a new spirit?

3. In what ways does the concept of a new heart and spirit in Ezekiel 18:31 connect with the New Testament teachings on transformation?

4. How does understanding God’s desire for life over death influence your perspective on repentance and obedience?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced spiritual renewal. How did it impact your relationship with God and others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 31:31-34
This passage speaks of the new covenant God will make with Israel, where He will write His law on their hearts, similar to the call for a new heart and spirit in Ezekiel.

Psalm 51:10
David's plea for a clean heart and a steadfast spirit echoes the transformation God desires in Ezekiel 18:31.

Romans 12:2
Paul’s exhortation to be transformed by the renewing of the mind aligns with the call for a new heart and spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17
The concept of becoming a new creation in Christ parallels the idea of receiving a new heart and spirit.

Hebrews 8:10
Reiterates the promise of God’s laws being written on the hearts of His people, reflecting the internal change mentioned in Ezekiel.
A Divine AppealHomilistEzekiel 18:31
A New HeartE. H. Chapin, D. D.Ezekiel 18:31
A Solemn and Startling InquiryW. Jones Ezekiel 18:31
Conversion a Radical and Entire ChangeEzekiel 18:31
Divine Impartiality ConsideredAndrew Lee et al Ezekiel 18:31
Divine RemonstranceJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 18:31
Duty of Sinners to Make a New HeartN. Emmons, D. D.Ezekiel 18:31
Expostulation with the ImpenitentJ. Jowett, M. A.Ezekiel 18:31
Man's Duty to Remake HimselfHomilistEzekiel 18:31
Precept, Promise, and PrayerD. Moore, M. A.Ezekiel 18:31
Self-DestructionW. W. Whythe.Ezekiel 18:31
Soul ReformationHomilistEzekiel 18:31
The Divine Compassion for SinnersA. Leslie.Ezekiel 18:31
The Existence and Renewal of a Moral Heart in ManHomilistEzekiel 18:31
The Formation of a New HeartPitt Clarke.Ezekiel 18:31
The Harmony Between Divine Sovereignty and Human AgencyH. Martin.Ezekiel 18:31
The Needlessness of Man's RuinHomilistEzekiel 18:31
The Sinner's Duty to Make Himself a New HeartN. W. Taylor.Ezekiel 18:31
Voluntary Sin and Self-DestructionJ. Patten.Ezekiel 18:31
Why Will Ye DieT. De Witt Talmage.Ezekiel 18:31
Why Will Ye DieJohn Stoughton.Ezekiel 18:31
Why Will Ye DieDean Alford.Ezekiel 18:31
The Path to LifeJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 18:25-32
A Call to the ImpenitentJ. Hill.Ezekiel 18:30-32
Breaking the Entail of SinE. R. Derby.Ezekiel 18:30-32
Escape from RuinT. Snow.Ezekiel 18:30-32
God's Vindication of HimselfJohn D. Lane, M. A.Ezekiel 18:30-32
Preservative from RuinR. Treffry.Ezekiel 18:30-32
People
Ezekiel
Places
Babylon
Topics
Cast, Committed, Death, Desiring, Die, Evil-doing, Heart, O, Offenses, Sin, Spirit, Transgressed, Transgressions, Whereby, Wherein, Wherewith, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 18:31

     4010   creation, renewal
     5015   heart, and Holy Spirit
     5016   heart, fallen and redeemed
     5038   mind, the human
     5064   spirit, emotional
     5065   spirit, fallen and redeemed
     6178   hardness of heart

Ezekiel 18:1-32

     6026   sin, judgment on
     6206   offence

Ezekiel 18:20-31

     6139   deadness, spiritual

Ezekiel 18:25-32

     1075   God, justice of

Ezekiel 18:30-32

     6734   repentance, importance

Library
Sins of Parents visited
Eversley. 19th Sunday after Trinity, 1868. Ezekiel xviii. 1-4. "The word of the Lord came unto me again, saying, What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

God's Curse on Sin.
"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin."--EZEKIEL xviii. 30. These words of Ezekiel may be understood as expressing in the prophet's language what the Book of Deuteronomy expresses in such denunciations as those which were read to us the other day in the Commination Service. They correspond also to the warning of St. Paul when he says--"Be not
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

Divine Impartiality Considered.
"For there is no respect of persons with God." The divine impartiality is often asserted in the holy scriptures; and the assertion coincides with our natural ideas of deity. The pagans indeed attributed to their Gods, the vices, follies and weaknesses of men! But the beings whom they adored were mostly taken from among men, and might be considered as retaining human imperfections,--Had unbiased reason been consulted to find out a supreme being, a different object would have been exhibited to view.
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

True Repentance
EZEKIEL xviii. 27. When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness which he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. We hear a great deal about repentance, and how necessary it is for a man to repent of his sins; for unless a man repent, he cannot be forgiven. But do we all of us really know what repentance means? I sometimes fear not. I sometimes fear, that though this text stands at the opening of the Church service, and though people hear it
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

Of the Examination of Conscience, and Purpose of Amendment
The Voice of the Beloved Above all things the priest of God must draw nigh, with all humility of heart and supplicating reverence, with full faith and pious desire for the honour of God, to celebrate, minister, and receive this Sacrament. Diligently examine thy conscience and with all thy might with true contrition and humble confession cleanse and purify it, so that thou mayest feel no burden, nor know anything which bringeth thee remorse and impedeth thy free approach. Have displeasure against
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Theology of Grace.
The theology which Augustin opposed, in his anti-Pelagian writings, to the errors of Pelagianism, is, shortly, the theology of grace. Its roots were planted deeply in his own experience, and in the teachings of Scripture, especially of that apostle whom he delights to call "the great preacher of grace," and to follow whom, in his measure, was his greatest desire. The grace of God in Jesus Christ, conveyed to us by the Holy Spirit and evidenced by the love that He sheds abroad in our hearts, is the
St. Augustine—Anti-Pelagian Writings

The Abbots Euroul and Loumon.
To the examples already given in the previous biographies, of the power which religion exercised over the rough and savage mind, we may add the following. The abbot Ebrolf (Euroul) had settled with his monks in a thick forest, infested by wild beasts and robbers. One of the robbers came to them, and, struck with reverence at their aspect, said to them: "Ye have chosen no fit dwelling for you here. The inhabitants of this forest live by plunder, and will not tolerate any one amongst them who maintains
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

A Startling Statement
TEXT: "The wicked shall not be unpunished."--Prov. 11:21. There are very many passages of Scripture which ought to be read in connection with this text; as for example, "Fools make a mock at sin" (Proverbs 14:9), for only a fool would. Better trifle with the pestilence and expose one's self to the plague than to discount the blighting effects of sin. And, again, "The soul that sinneth it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4). From this clear statement of the word of God there is no escape. Or, again, "Our
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

General Character of Christians.
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh, with the Affections and Lusts." St. Paul is supposed to have been the first herald of gospel grace to the Galatians; and they appear to have rejoiced at the glad tidings, and to have received the bearer with much respect. But after his departure, certain judaizing teachers went among them, and labored but too successfully, to alienate their affections from him, and turn them form the simplicity of the gospel. The malice and errors of those deceitful
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Wicked Husbandmen.
"Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: and when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

The Same Necessary and Eternal Different Relations
that different things bear one to another, and the same consequent fitness or unfitness of the application of different things or different relations one to another, with regard to which the will of God always and necessarily does determine itself, to choose to act only what is agreeable to justice, equity, goodness, and truth, in order to the welfare of the whole universe, ought likewise constantly to determine the wills of all subordinate rational beings, to govern all their actions by the same
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

Some Man Will Say, "So Then any Thief Whatever is to be Accounted Equal...
19. Some man will say, "So then any thief whatever is to be accounted equal with that thief who steals with will of mercy?" Who would say this? But of these two it does not follow that any is good, because one is worse. He is worse who steals through coveting, than he who steals through pity: but if all theft be sin, from all theft we must abstain. For who can say that people may sin, even though one sin be damnable, another venial? but now we are asking, if a man shall do this or that, who will
St. Augustine—Against Lying

"He is the Rock, his Work is Perfect, for all his Ways are Judgment, a God of Truth, and Without Iniquity, Just and Right is He.
Deut. xxxii. 4, 5.--"He is the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are judgment, a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he. They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children," &c. There are none can behold their own vileness as it is, but in the sight of God's glorious holiness. Sin is darkness, and neither sees itself, nor any thing else, therefore must his light shine to discover this darkness. If we abide within ourselves, and men like ourselves,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus, My Rock.
When the storm and the tempest are raging around me, Oh! where shall I flee to be safe from their shock? There are walls which no mortal hands built to surround me, A Refuge Eternal,--'Tis JESUS MY ROCK! When my heart is all sorrow, and trials aggrieve me, To whom can I safely my secrets unlock? No bosom (save one) has the power to relieve me, The bosom which bled for me, JESUS MY ROCK! When Life's gloomy curtain, at last, shall close o'er me, And the chill hand of death unexpectedly knock, I will
John Ross Macduff—The Cities of Refuge: or, The Name of Jesus

And for Your Fearlessness against them Hold this Sure Sign -- Whenever There Is...
43. And for your fearlessness against them hold this sure sign--whenever there is any apparition, be not prostrate with fear, but whatsoever it be, first boldly ask, Who art thou? And from whence comest thou? And if it should be a vision of holy ones they will assure you, and change your fear into joy. But if the vision should be from the devil, immediately it becomes feeble, beholding your firm purpose of mind. For merely to ask, Who art thou [1083] ? and whence comest thou? is a proof of coolness.
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall.
Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall. [182] All Adam's posterity, or mankind, both Jews and Gentiles, as to the first Adam, or earthly man, is fallen, degenerated, and dead; deprived of the sensation or feeling of this inward testimony or seed of God; and is subject unto the power, nature, and seed of the serpent, which he soweth in men's hearts, while they abide in this natural and corrupted estate; from whence it comes, that not only their words and deeds, but all their imaginations, are
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

"But we are all as an Unclean Thing, and all Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags,"
Isaiah lxiv 6, 7.--"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags," &c. This people's condition agreeth well with ours, though the Lord's dealing be very different. The confessory part of this prayer belongeth to us now; and strange it is, that there is such odds of the Lord's dispensations, when there is no difference in our conditions; always we know not how soon the complaint may be ours also. This prayer was prayed long before the judgment and captivity came
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Repentance and Restitution.
"God commandeth all men everywhere to repent."--Acts xvii. 30. Repentance is one of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. Yet I believe it is one of those truths that many people little understand at the present day. There are more people to-day in the mist and darkness about Repentance, Regeneration, the Atonement, and such-like fundamental truths, than perhaps on any other doctrines. Yet from our earliest years we have heard about them. If I were to ask for a definition of Repentance, a great
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Perseverance Proved.
2. I REMARK, that God is able to preserve and keep the true saints from apostacy, in consistency with their liberty: 2 Tim. i. 12: "For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Here the apostle expresses the fullest confidence in the ability of Christ to keep him: and indeed, as has been said, it is most manifest that the apostles expected
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Letter ii (A. D. 1126) to the Monk Adam
To the Monk Adam [3] 1. If you remain yet in that spirit of charity which I either knew or believed to be with you formerly, you would certainly feel the condemnation with which charity must regard the scandal which you have given to the weak. For charity would not offend charity, nor scorn when it feels itself offended. For it cannot deny itself, nor be divided against itself. Its function is rather to draw together things divided; and it is far from dividing those that are joined. Now, if that
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

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