Ezekiel 9:3-7 CSB
[3] Then the glory of the God of Israel rose from above the cherub where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. He called to the man clothed in linen and carrying writing equipment. [4] “Pass throughout the city of Jerusalem,” the Lord said to him, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the detestable practices committed in it.” [5] He spoke to the others in my hearing: “Pass through the city after him and start killing; do not show pity or spare them! [6] Slaughter the old men, the young men and women, as well as the children and older women, but do not come near anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple. [7] Then he said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go!” So they went out killing people in the city.
If you’ve been in the church for a little bit, you’ll hear the words “Age of Accountability.” It’s the idea that children are spared by age, regardless of actions or beliefs because they don’t know any better. This Age of Accountability can be anywhere from 7-12 years of age. Here’s the thing though, no where in Scripture will you find any verse in support of this belief.
When the LORD saw the defilement of His people and He was prepared to pour out His wrath on them, what did He do? He killed all who didn’t groan over the detestable practices committed by others. This wasn’t just any random action, this is a foreshadowing of the coming end. When God will separate those who follow Him from those who do not. And who is still judged? Children.
Now, children could mean any age under the age of an adult, right? God uses the Hebrew word “טַף (ṭǎp̄)” which means: little children, e., offspring that are young and not yet able to easily walk long distances, nor fully developed in their moral values.
These are children of all ages. According to The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible, Lexham Press, 2017, normally) prepubescent person of either sex; in rare cases extending to adolescence. These are children before the ages of 11,12, and 13. God didn’t spare them. Why? Because “… man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Therefore, the LORD can see what is in the hearts of all. He can see whether there is evil or there is good. Whether there is righteousness or unrighteousness. Darkness or Light. God sees all and nothing is hidden from Him.
Therefore, raise up your children in the right way. Prepare them for trying times so that they might love good and not evil. So that they might rejoice in all Truth. Don’t wait for them to grow older after they’ve lived their lives however they wanted for so many years. You raise them up as a child so that they might have a firm foundation to fall back onto.