Exodus 32:33 - Exposition

Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book . Beyond a doubt, it is the general teaching of Scripture that vicarious punishment will not be accepted. "The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son—the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him" ( Ezekiel 18:20 ). Man "cannot deliver his brother, or make agreement with God for him; for it cost more to redeem their souls, so that he must let that alone for ever "( Psalms 49:7 , Psalms 49:8 ). One only atonement is accepted—that of him who is at once man and God—who has, himself, no sin—and can therefore lake the punishment of others.