Turn and Live
"Why should you die?"
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
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What does it say?
This is a plain-language guide, not a translation. Check it against the Bible text any time.
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
God called Ezekiel among the exiles in Babylon and sent him to a stubborn people, "whether they listen or refuse to listen." God promised to plant a tender sprig that would become a majestic cedar. When the people blamed their parents for their troubles, God said every soul belongs to him and called them to turn from their sins and "fashion for yourselves a new heart." God made Ezekiel a watchman and told him to say, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live."
Where it is in the Bible: Ezekiel 2, 17, 18 and 33
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Stand Up, Son of Man | 2:1-7 | God sends Ezekiel to a stubborn people |
| 2. A Tender Shoot | 17:22-24 | God will plant a sprig that becomes a mighty cedar |
| 3. Sour Grapes | 18:1-4, 18:25-32 | Each person answers to God, and God says, "Repent and live!" |
| 4. The Watchman | 33:7-11 | Warn them, because God wants them to live |
Before You Read
Who he was. Ezekiel was a priest who was taken to Babylon with the first group of exiles in 597 BC. There, by the Kebar River, God called him to be a prophet (1:1-3).
What was happening. God's people were far from home. Many blamed their parents for their troubles. Others felt so crushed by their sins that they had given up hope.
What this passage is. Four messages from Ezekiel: his call, a promise of a tiny shoot that becomes a great tree, a message about each person's responsibility, and God's job for Ezekiel as a watchman. One cry rings through all of it: turn and live.
How to read it. Listen for how often God says he takes no pleasure in anyone's death.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4Stand Up, Son of Man
"Son of man," God said, "stand up on your feet and I will speak to you" (2:1).
"Son of man" here means "human being." God is reminding Ezekiel that he is just a man.
The Spirit entered Ezekiel and set him on his feet.
God sent him to a stubborn, rebellious people.
"And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them" (2:5).
"But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words" (2:6).
Section 2 of 4A Tender Shoot
God gives a picture. He will take a tiny sprig from the top of a cedar tree.
He will plant it on a high mountain in Israel.
It will grow into "a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it" (17:23).
"I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall" (17:24).
God does what no one expects. He lifts up the small and brings down the proud.
Section 3 of 4Sour Grapes
People had a saying: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge" (18:2).
It meant: "We're suffering for our parents' sins. It's not our fault."
God says to stop saying that.
"Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine" (18:4).
Each person answers to God for their own life.
The people complain that God isn't fair. God says, "Is it my way that's unfair, or yours?"
If a wicked person turns from evil and does what is right, he will live.
"Repent and turn from all your transgressions" (18:30).
Transgressions means sins.
"Fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?" (18:31).
"For I take no pleasure in anyone's death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!" (18:32).
Section 4 of 4The Watchman
"As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel" (33:7).
A watchman stood on the city wall and blew a trumpet when he saw danger coming.
If Ezekiel doesn't warn people, he is responsible. If he warns them and they don't listen, he has done his job.
The people cry out: "Our transgressions and our sins are heavy upon us, and we are wasting away because of them! How can we live?" (33:10).
God answers: "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!" (33:11).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Stand up on your feet" (2:1) | God lifts up the person he calls. |
| "Whether they listen or refuse to listen" (2:5) | Ezekiel's job is to speak, not to make them listen. |
| "I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall" (17:24) | God lifts up the small and humbles the proud. |
| "Every soul belongs to Me" (18:4) | Every person matters to God. |
| "A new heart and a new spirit" (18:31) | God wants to change us from the inside. |
| "I take no pleasure in anyone's death" (18:32) | God wants everyone to live. |
| "A watchman" (33:7) | Someone who warns others of danger. |
Back Then
The exiles in Babylon lived far from Jerusalem. Many thought God had abandoned them.
City walls had watchtowers. Watchmen kept lookout day and night.
Cedars of Lebanon were the tallest, most valuable trees people knew. They were used to build the temple (1 Kings 5:6).
Literal Reader Alert
Can we make ourselves a new heart? God tells the people to do it, but later he promises, "I will give you a new heart" (36:26). It's God's gift, received when we turn to him.
Does "the soul who sins will die" mean we're saved by being good? No. God's point is that no one is stuck because of their parents, and anyone can turn and live. That turning is always toward God's mercy.
Is the tender shoot about Jesus? Christians have long seen it as a picture of the Messiah from David's family. Jesus told a similar parable about a mustard seed that grows into a tree where birds nest (Mark 4:30-32).
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel | Afraid | God tells him not to fear (2:6) |
| The exiles | Blaming | Their parents ate sour grapes (18:2) |
| The exiles | Crushed | Their sins were heavy on them (33:10) |
| God | Pleading | He wants them to turn and live (33:11) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Which line do you need today? Tap one.
My sins feel too heavy
God takes no pleasure in your death. Turn and live.
I'm paying for others' mistakes
Every soul belongs to God. You are not stuck.
I feel small
God makes the low tree tall.
I'm afraid to speak up
Do not be afraid. Speak, whether they listen or not.
You Might Have Heard
"God is just waiting to punish people."
What's true: God takes sin seriously.
What the passage is mainly about: "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live" (33:11). God's warnings are an invitation to come home.
Where Jesus is: He is the tender shoot from David's family, and he came to call sinners to turn and live.
Good News
God isn't hoping you fail. He's pleading with you to live.
"For I take no pleasure in anyone's death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!" (18:32).
However heavy your sins feel, God's invitation stands: turn to him, and live.
God sends warnings because he loves. He takes no pleasure in anyone's death, and he calls everyone: turn and live.
Big Idea
God sent Ezekiel as a watchman to a stubborn people. God takes no pleasure in anyone's death. He makes the low tree tall, and he calls everyone: turn and live.
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
The first of Luther's 95 Theses says that when Jesus said "Repent," he meant the whole life of believers to be one of repentance: turning back to God every day.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Ezekiel 33:7-11 (Lectionary 23) and 18:1-4, 25-32 (Lectionary 26) in September. In Year B, it reads 17:22-24 (Lectionary 11) and 2:1-5 (Lectionary 14) in June and July.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
So repent and live!
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 11 Year BFirst reading, Ezekiel 17:22-24
- Lectionary 14 Year BFirst reading, Ezekiel 2:1-5
- Lectionary 23 Year AFirst reading, Ezekiel 33:7-11
- Lectionary 26 Year AFirst reading, Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Turn and Live, explained in plain words. God sends Ezekiel as a watchman, and pleads with his people: I take no pleasure in anyone's death. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/turn-and-live/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church