Sunday, we continued to examine God’s command to not create for ourselves and worship idols. We then took a closer look at the passage to best grasp God’s revelation that He visits the father’s sin to the third and fourth generation.
God says: “Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commands” (Exodus 20:4-6, ESV).
While the Lord makes clear the benefits of a life lived in agreement (in covenant) with Him, He also spells out the consequences of a life lived that is not in agreement (intentional violation of his covenant) with His heart and His word. Be assured, He is love and His ways lead to life but, in His love, He will not obligate us to obey Him.
As one reads this passage, it certainly sounds like God is being vindictive - but the generational consequences are rather the results streaming from a father’s choice to live in opposition toward God, hating God. Idolatry and wickedness (as defined in Exodus 20:4) influences the household for generations to come. The father’s sin often results in his children carrying on the practice of that sinful lifestyle and therefore the penalties remain. Fathers, if our household sees us celebrating sin or probably more likely, being apathetic toward our sin, we are inviting our children to participate in that sin and/or that apathy.
We must then answer this question: What about if a child of a sinful family repents during that time of penalty; will the Lord forgive and restore them?
Yes, upon yes!! While the residue of sinful consequences remain, sin does not define us nor mark our days. Here are just a few examples of how we see the Lord showing His faithful love to those who share in heart agreement with Him, acting out of obedience.
In the life of King Josiah, he took the throne of Judah. He was eight when he rightfully took the throne. His father and grandfather were evil and conducted their lives in sin. When he took the throne, clearly he was dealing with the penalties of his father and grandfathers’ sin - He, though, lived in faithfulness to the Lord; he sought to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 22:1-2).
In Psalm 106:28-31, Phinneas takes a stand for God’s righteousness amongst the sinfulness of Israel and the Lord credits that act of worship to him as righteousness for generations to come.
So, coming back to our starting point, the sour grapes are the fruits borne of sin, not the offering of our Lord; He just spells out the outcome, but desires us to walk according to His ways.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday, Highland, as we continue working through this series on Sunday morning.
I love you,
Rob