Inclined to Mercy
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:4-5
On Saturday we explored God’s righteous jealousy and His desire for worship. Today, let’s consider the harder question. Why does God punish children for the sin of their parents?
We really struggle with this concept in an age of individualism. But our difficulties with this passage are really in that we don’t take the time to reflect on the meaning. This isn’t what it seems.
Picture how it works. The first generation of Israel that enters the promised land. They begin to worship the idols of the Canaanites. This isn’t simply throwing up a prayer to a false god. It changes their whole culture.
Will their children be raised knowing the LORD? Will they be raised following His commands? No. And so as per God’s covenant, the wrath of God will be on them until a later generation repents. This isn’t God punishing children for their parents' ‘sins’. It’s a natural consequence of one generation turning to false gods.
But the most important thing we need to see is what comes after. An answer to a deep question of God’s character and His disposition toward us. Does God have a preference for justice or for mercy? He is glorified in both.
Here we see that God’s heartcry is to show mercy to His people and their children. And we see it in history as God turns generations of idolaters to Him through Jesus Christ.
For Today:
Pray:
Exodus 20:4-5
On Saturday we explored God’s righteous jealousy and His desire for worship. Today, let’s consider the harder question. Why does God punish children for the sin of their parents?
We really struggle with this concept in an age of individualism. But our difficulties with this passage are really in that we don’t take the time to reflect on the meaning. This isn’t what it seems.
Picture how it works. The first generation of Israel that enters the promised land. They begin to worship the idols of the Canaanites. This isn’t simply throwing up a prayer to a false god. It changes their whole culture.
Will their children be raised knowing the LORD? Will they be raised following His commands? No. And so as per God’s covenant, the wrath of God will be on them until a later generation repents. This isn’t God punishing children for their parents' ‘sins’. It’s a natural consequence of one generation turning to false gods.
But the most important thing we need to see is what comes after. An answer to a deep question of God’s character and His disposition toward us. Does God have a preference for justice or for mercy? He is glorified in both.
Here we see that God’s heartcry is to show mercy to His people and their children. And we see it in history as God turns generations of idolaters to Him through Jesus Christ.
For Today:
- What ‘culture’ of godliness or ungodliness did your parents pass on to you?
- What is one thing you want to pass on to the next generation?
- Pray for the children of Village that they would continue to follow Jesus.
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He is glorified in justice and mercy.
- Give thanks for Jesus Christ who shows us the depths of God’s mercy.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others remain faithful to Jesus.
Posted in Exodus
No Comments