Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Jeremiah 31:30 (NIV)
“Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge.”
Jeremiah 31:30 (MSG)
“No, each person will pay for his own sin. You eat green apples, you’re the one who gets sick.”
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“But everyone will die [only] for his own wickedness; every man who eats sour grapes—his [own] teeth shall be set on edge.” -AMPLIFIED
“Although group or collective responsibility is an important concept, Jeremiah and Ezekiel emphasize individual responsibility as both preparation and explanation of for the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, which the people might have been tempted to blame on the sins of their ancestors.” ~NIV footnote
In yesterday’s passage we found the Lord addressing the subject of personal accountability. God’s Message:
“In those days, it will never again be said, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’” -Jeremiah 31:29 (CSB)
The people of Israel and Judah thought God was punishing them for the sins of their fathers. And the Lord continues in addressing this subject matter, saying to the people:
“No, now it will be that each one will die for his own sins. If you eat sour grapes, then it is your own teeth that will be set on edge.” -(VOICE)
Adonai unequivocally disagrees with this line of thinking that the people of Israel had adopted. No one would be held responsible for the sins of anyone else, including, but not limited to, the sins of their fathers.
“No child shall suffer Divine punition for the sin of his father; only so far as he acts in the same way can he be said to bear the sins of his parents.” ~Adam Clarke
This does not mean that a child, or other decedent would not experience repercussion from their ancestor’s sin. Often there are consequences, or effects of sin that will have a ripple effect on our family members. We know that this can happen. A good example would be David’s affair with Bathsheba. His sin had a ripple effect and the consequences of his actions and choices carried on and affected his children and their children. His sons knew what he had done and sadly a few of them followed his negative example. But God did not hold David’s children responsible for their father’s actions. It was up to them to choose not to follow his bad example though. Sadly, we know from Scripture that some of them failed to break the cycle, Solomon, and Absalom in particular.
“God was going to deal with the Israelites individually, personally; and that is how he will deal with us.” ~Charles Spurgeon
God declares here that everyone will pay for and give an accounting of their own sin.
“For everyone shall die for his own sins—the person eating sour grapes is the one whose teeth are set on edge.” -(TLB)
“In that time of future blessing, people would no longer repeat a popular proverb that said that the children were suffering because of their fathers’ sins. This proverb expressed a popular misconception. It blamed present trouble on past ancestors inordinately. In that day, everyone would bear the consequences of his own actions. Justice would be obvious then, even though at present it did not seem to be operating. Whereas people do suffer consequences for the sins of their ancestors to a limited extent (corporate responsibility), they much more consistently suffer for their own sins (individual responsibility).” ~Thomas Constable
From the beginning, God’s intention was that each person would be held responsible for their own personal sins, not the sins of someone else. We know this from something that Moses said to the people back in the book of Deuteronomy, that people would personally pay for their own crimes:
“Don’t put parents to death for anything their children have done, and don’t put children to death for anything their parents have done. People are only to be executed for their own crimes.” -Deuteronomy 24:16 (VOICE)
In the book of Ezekiel, we find the Lord giving this pronouncement that the child would not pay for the sin of the parent:
“So why do you ask, “Why is the son not also punished for his father’s guilt?” Don’t you see? The son did not commit his father’s sins. The son chose to do what is just and right by remembering and following My laws, so he will surely live. The person who sins will die. The child will not be punished for the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent be punished for the guilt of the child. The righteous will be credited with righteousness. The wicked will be charged with wickedness.” -Ezekiel 18:19-20 (VOICE)
Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, reminded them that what a person sowed, that he would also reap.
“Make no mistake: God can’t be mocked. What you give is what you get. What you sow, you harvest. Those who sow seeds into their flesh will only harvest destruction from their sinful nature. But those who sow seeds into the Spirit shall harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” -Galatians 6:7-8 (VOICE)
And the writer of Hebrews reminds us that one day we will have to give an accounting to the Lord for our actions:
“No creature can hide from God: God sees all. Everyone and everything is exposed, opened for His inspection; and He’s the One we will have to explain ourselves to.” -Hebrews 4:13 (VOICE)
And Solomon teaches us the importance of confessing our sin and accepting responsibility of them:
“Whoever tries to hide his sins will not succeed, but the one who confesses his sins and leaves them behind will find mercy.” -Proverbs 28:13 (VOICE)
“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.” ~John C. Maxwell
My friend, we are responsible for our own sins; Scripture is quite clear about this. Yes, you may experience the ripple effect of past sins of your family, but God only holds you responsible for the choices you have made. Knowing this fact, it is up to you and I to make good, godly choices. I encourage you to walk in obedience to the Lord. Remember, Jesus told His followers: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” -John 14:15 (ESV)
“The most important thought that ever occupied my mind is that of my individual responsibility to God.” ~Daniel Webster
My Prayer:
Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, I am grateful that I am not being held responsible for the sins of my forefathers, and that my children are not held responsible for my sins. That would be a difficult burden to bear. I am so thankful that you are a gracious, merciful, and forgiving God. I want to take this time right now to confess to you any sin that I may not have laid at your feet. I am sorry, Lord. I want to be obedient to you. Your Word teaches me that my love for you will be evident in my obedience to you, “Love is defined by our obedience to His commands. This is the same command you have known about from the very beginning; you must live by it.” -2 John 1:6 (VOICE) Lord, help me to walk in obedience to you. Remind me that I am only responsible for the choices I make, and I want to make good choices. Thank you, Lord.
Growing with God 