What connections exist between Ezekiel 14:20 and the story of Noah? Text in View “even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, they could neither deliver son nor daughter. They would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.” Why Ezekiel Reaches Back to Noah • Scripture treats Noah as the archetype of a righteous man living among widespread corruption (Genesis 6:5–9). • His name evokes one decisive, worldwide judgment—exactly the kind of judgment Ezekiel’s audience feared for Jerusalem. • By pairing Noah with Daniel and Job, the prophet cites three men whose righteousness was uncontested and whose stories were already circulating in exile communities. Key Parallels Between Ezekiel 14:20 and Genesis 6–9 • Shared setting of divine judgment – Genesis 6:13: “The end of all flesh is come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence.” – Ezekiel 14:21: four severe judgments poised to strike the land. • Righteousness singled out – Genesis 6:9: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries.” – Ezekiel 14:20: “They would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.” • Limited scope of deliverance – Genesis 7:1,13: only Noah and his immediate family enter the ark. – Ezekiel: even Noah’s presence could not spare anyone beyond himself. • Obedience as evidence of faith – Genesis 6:22: “So Noah did everything precisely as God commanded him.” – Ezekiel’s implication: theoretical righteousness is useless without wholehearted obedience. What Ezekiel Emphasizes Through Noah’s Example • Personal accountability—each soul stands or falls on its own standing before God (cf. Ezekiel 18:20). • Righteousness cannot be transferred or inherited; it is not a communal blanket but an individual garment. • Even the most revered saints cannot intercede successfully when a society hardens itself against the Lord’s warnings. New-Covenant Echoes • Hebrews 11:7: Noah “condemned the world” by obedient faith, reinforcing Ezekiel’s message that genuine faith shows itself in action. • 2 Peter 2:5 calls Noah a “preacher of righteousness,” underscoring that the same righteous standard still governs. Take-Home Truths • God’s judgments are real, sweeping, and perfectly just. • Salvation has always hinged on personal faith that produces obedient righteousness. • Noah’s story validates Ezekiel’s warning: no borrowed holiness, no family pedigree, and no revered ancestor can shield an unrepentant heart. |
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