“What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?” Ezekiel 18:2
November 22, 2022
How does one bring thousands of people into a counselor’s office with the problem of blaming others for their own problems? The prophet Ezekiel speaks on behalf of God and confronts Israel. She did not think she deserved the covenant chastening of being sent into exile in Babylon. People with hard hearts and who are self-deceived refuse to accept responsibility for their misery by blaming others. This kind of unbiblical logic is a convenient way of dodging responsibility. It’s not uncommon for counselors (Christian and non-Christian) to assist their clients in passing the buck of personal sins to one’s parents. The “love-tank” theory is quite popular, “my need for love wasn’t filled. That is why I am the way I am.” A spouse can be blamed for marital problems, “If he would be more considerate and affectionate, I could be happy.” Blame shifting language hangs in the air for ready-made excuses, “I’ve tried that but it didn’t work.” “You don’t know what my home was like.” Piling oily rags in the basement by the furnace one by one over the years. They get closer and closer to the furnace. Finally, one day the rags catch fire and begin to burn. A serious fire starts in the basement and it is impossible to control or put out. Who is responsible? People who continually handle life’s situations in sinful ways are stuffing the cellar with oily rags. H
“O Lord, you know when I am guilty of blaming others for the sins I have committed. I need to do the right thing when the penalty flag is thrown on me.”