“If a man is righteous and does what is just and right—
Here the Prophet confirms his former teaching by examples. For he first says, if any one faithfully keep the law, he shall prosper, since God will repay the reward of justice: afterwards he adds, if the just man beget a son unlike himself, the justice of the father shall not profit the degenerate son, but he shall receive the reward of his iniquity.
Evil proverbs beget good prophecies. The Jews complained that they suffered for their fathers' sins, as if God's judgment were unjust and absurd. Yet God had said He would visit the fathers' iniquity upon the children so that parents would fear sin and children would not follow their parents into it. The proverb mistakes this correction for cruelty.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 18:1-9
And hath not oppressed any,.... By fraud or force, particularly the poor, to the great grief and hurt of them: but hath restored to the debtor his pledge; which was pawned; not embezzling it, or keeping it beyond the time fixed by the law of God, Deu 24:12; hath spoiled none by violence; has not committed theft and robbery, or done injury to any man's...