“It was first penned by John Bunyan an English writer in his 1678 allegory pilgrim’s progress. He meant that each school of the University was an Independent entity, responsible for its own management and funding.
“A similar phrase was used in the Land of Israel. History has taught us, that the ancient Hebrews had been excusing themselves for their evil character, and their consequent misfortunes, on the ground that they were not responsible because they had inherited their natural character from their degenerate ancestors, who had given to the minds of the Jewish race, a set predisposition, a fixed condition of character, which amounted to a fatality because it could not be overcome.”
“This idea was expressed in the proverb.”
Ezekiel chapter 18:1-2, the prophet declares, The word of the Lord came to me again saying, says, “What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the Land of Israel, saying, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?”
Verse 3, “As I live,” says the Lord, “you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel.”
One of the greatest insights of the book of Ezekiel is its teaching of individual responsibility. This prophet proclaimed the truth that every person is responsible for his own sin as he stands exposed before God. Verse 4 the Lord says, “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die.” Read also Romans 6:23, Jeremiah 31:29-30, Galatians 6:1-7.
Ezekiel 18:20 says, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bears the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Read from the NKJV. Isaiah 3:10.
“The soul that sins shall die.”
