Ezekiel 14:20
Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))
وكانَ فيها نوحٌ ودانيلُ وأَيّوب، فحَيٌّ أَنا، يَقولُ السَّيِّدُ الرَّبّ، لا يُنقِذونَ لَها ٱبنًا ولا ٱبنَةً، بل بِبِرِّهم يُنقِذونَ أَنفُسَهم.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, God is speaking and saying that even if great, righteous people like Noah, Daniel, and Job were in a place, they couldn't save others, just themselves. The message is that individual righteousness doesn't protect others from God's judgment.
Explained for Children
Imagine if the best firefighters in the world were in a burning building. Even they can't save everyone, only themselves. It's like that, but with being good and God's big decisions.
Historical Background
This verse comes from the book of Ezekiel, written by the prophet Ezekiel around 593-571 BCE. It was written to the Israelites in exile to remind them of the consequences of their actions and the limits of even the most righteous people's influence.
Living It Out Today
In a modern scenario, if a highly ethical company executive tries to stop their company from doing something unethical, they might not be able to save the company from consequences but can save themselves from being complicit in the wrongdoing.
Topics
judgmentrighteousnessprophetsexilefaithsalvation
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Noah, Daniel, and Job mentioned?
These men are mentioned because they were known for their righteousness and their stories are used to illustrate that even the most righteous people cannot save others from God's judgment.
What does 'they shall deliver neither son nor daughter' mean?
This means that even the righteousness of these great men cannot protect their family members from the judgment that is coming.
How does this verse apply to our modern world?
It reminds us that while we should strive to be righteous, we cannot save others from the consequences of their actions. Each person bears their own responsibility.
Is there hope for anyone according to this verse?
Yes, the verse does indicate that individuals can save themselves through their own righteousness, highlighting the importance of personal integrity and faith.