JUL 24

Exodus 20:5-6
Memorise Ezekiel 18:19
"A son, that seeth all his father's sins... and doeth not such like... shall surely live"

The second commandment is one of the few commandments that comes with a warning - that God will be “visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me”; but also with a blessing - that He will be “shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments”.  So we ask, what does it mean that God will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children? Will God punish the children of idolatrous fathers? Does it mean that if my parents are not Christians then I will be blamed as well?

We must first compare Scripture with Scripture. Deuteronomy 24:16 clearly assures us that “the fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” God will not punish the next generation simply because of the sins of their fathers. What then are the effects of idolatry for the successive generations?

We have all heard of the phrase ‘like father like son’. How true this is, for we often see children emulate their parents in many different ways. If their parents are sinners and idolaters, it is entirely likely that their children will follow in their ways, adopt their same superstitious thinking and blindly accept their form of false worship as true. This is how the children of even the third and fourth generations are affected, for if their fathers and grandfathers are seethed in idolatry, it is very likely that they will follow suit, and likewise practice false worship.

This same danger is evident in churches today as well. The moment one generation compromises and turns away from God, it is unlikely that they will turn back to Him,  but instead continue further down the slippery slope of compromise. It is observed that compromise in worship, turning to man-centred contemporary music is often the first step in liberalising a church. The repercussions therefore are severe, for once a single generation falls, the generations after them will likely continue on the wrong path as well, and God will not be pleased.

Thought: A single generation’s mistake can affect many after them.
Prayer: Lord, may You preserve our generation that we remain faithful to Thee, and true to Your Word.