Ezekiel 18:15
“who hasn’t eaten on the mountains, hasn’t lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hasn’t defiled his neighbor’s wife,”
What does Ezekiel 18:15 mean?
This passage is part of a longer description of what a righteous person does—and notably, what they *don't* do. Eating on the mountains refers to participating in idol worship rituals that were common in ancient Israel, often involving shared meals at hilltop shrines. The verse is saying that someone walking in God's way actively avoids these religious practices and also refuses to exploit others, particularly through adultery. What makes this passage comforting is its point: your choices matter, and they're within your power. You're not trapped by your family's failures or your own past mistakes. Each day offers a fresh opportunity to turn away from what harms you and others, and to orient yourself toward what's true and good.