Old Testament | Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 (with Bryan Zuetel)

Opening Song:
Create in Me (Psalm 51) by Paul Zach

Lyrics:
Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord
Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord

Against you only I’ve sinned
Done evil in your side
But you’ve shown me what I’ve done
With mercy in your eyes
Then wash my shame and guilty way
My wearies all renew
From all my sin into your face
Let me turn to you

Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord
Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord

So I will give you what you asked
A humble broken heart
A spirit burning down to ash
With a flame oh God
Then ask will be your mercy Lord
Transforming all of me
To every act and every way
Your love and glories speaks

Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord (Create in me a clean heart oh Lord)
Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord (Create in me a clean heart oh Lord)

Have mercy on me
According to your endless love
Have mercy on me
According to your endless love
Oh have mercy on me
According to your endless love
Have mercy on me
According to your endless love
According to your endless love
According to your endless love

Passage:
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “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’? 3 As I live, declares the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? 26 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. 27 Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. 28 Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?

30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.”

(Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545: II. Andante by W. A. Mozart

Reflection Notes:
In true fashion for Mozart’s middle movements, this Andante blooms slowly with gentle and delicate notes; the melody ascends in joyful fashion at the most climactic points before settling back down with the satisfying left hand harmonies.

Prayer:
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
-Old Anglican Prayer