He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
Evil manners, we say, beget good laws; and in like manner sometimes unjust reflections occasion just vindications; evil proverbs beget good prophecies. Here is, I. An evil proverb commonly used by the Jews in their captivity. We had one before (Eze 12:22) and a reply to it; here we have another.
Commenting on Ezekiel 18:1-9
Hath walked in my statutes,.... Respecting the worship of God and true religion; being observant of all laws and ordinances relating thereunto: and hath kept my judgments to deal truly; in things moral and civil among men; regarding all such laws of God as oblige to such things: he is just; such a man is a just man, at least externally; and if he does...
restored . . . pledge--that which the poor debtor absolutely needed; as his raiment, which the creditor was bound to restore before sunset (Exo 22:26-27), and his millstone, which was needed for preparing his food (Deu 24:6, Deu 24:10-13). bread to . . . hungry . . . covered . . . naked-- (Isa 58:7; Mat 25:35-36). After duties of justice come those of benevolence.