Ezekiel 18:1

The word of the Lord. A new section opens, which deals with the responsibility of the individual. Ezekiel had repeatedly emphasized the certainty of the coming judgments, hoping thereby to lead the people to repentance. But this salutary purpose was frustrated by the manner in which these judgments were interpreted. The people considered that they were innocent children suffering for the iniquity of their fathers and that consequently repentance was needless and useless. They were not inclined to acknowledge their personal guilt or recognize their individual responsibility.