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 fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
If the parents hated the Lord what happens to the children?
"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 fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me." Exodus 20:5
2007-05-17 13:43:44 · 11 answers · asked by me 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This passage teaches there are temporal consequences that befall the children of idolaters.
This same principle can be seen in a crackhead mother who gives birth to a baby. The baby is born addicted and suffers the agonies of withdrawal. The baby is not guilty, but suffers the consequences of its parent's sin. The same principal applies in reverse. Any child born into a family of noble heritage enjoys the benefits that come with being born into such a family.
However:
"The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him."
Ezekiel 18:20
read the whole chapter for further elaboration.
2007-05-17 14:00:11 · answer #1 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, does a child from a "Fatherless" family stuck in custody battles their childhood life have the same up-bringing as the child from a family that honors marital vows? This seems self-evident that although the child did nothing wrong it's being punished.
Should we continue using pesticides, oil, and other Industrial inventions from the 1900's ...well, will the Earth rebel and cause hardships for our children, great grand children, and so-forth for milliniums ... according to some ecologist ... Wow.
There is a natural "cause & effect" we can understand here and now ... and the spirit parallells many of the laws of nature. So, it would make sense that a spiritual tag could be passed generationally. Some genetic scientists have claimed they've found a "God" DNA strand (like blue eyes) ... so, the possiblity is great for us to get punished from our parents sin ...
In fact many of the Biblical stories are how the childreen bring salvation to the parents!!!
2007-05-17 14:00:25 · answer #2 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"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." (Deuteronomy 24:16)
"Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him." (Ezekiel 18:19-20)
The punishment down to the generations are the effects of sin on the sinner's progeny. But, as the Scriptures above say, each person is responsible for their own sin.
2007-05-17 13:51:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
We inherited sin and death. However each have sinned and we all do die. The wages of sin is death but the price was paid by a merciful God. the only way this could possibly effect you is if you consider yourself to be without sin...The Bible says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God It is the reason God came to the world as a man to overcome temptation and to remain perfect and to pay the penalty of death for those who accept the atonement.
2007-05-17 13:47:51 · answer #4 · answered by djmantx 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no, not at all!If you notice, it says "of those who hate me" meaning He will punish those who hate Him in the family up to the fourth generation or whatever...Jesus pointed this out, when He met a blind man, and the pharisees asked him if it was his or his parents sin that caused him to be punished with blindness, and Jesus answered that it was neither, and cured him....sorry its not the best answer, I'm kinda tired!
2007-05-17 13:53:01 · answer #5 · answered by bumble bee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sure...just like mother's are cursed with pain in child-bearing. this is the old testament...before Jesus. we will have troubles. maybe they are because of our ancestors...who cares?! now we are told to rejoice in our sufferings because there is someone who can bring us through them. don't give up on this christianity thing. you know so many basics...you're digging deeper. it's not a religion. it's a relationship. i don't know you, but i'm praying for you.
2007-05-17 17:21:26 · answer #6 · answered by danielle:) 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but we think of it as "consequences". And don't forget, He also said to those who love Him, He will love them for 1000 generations.
2007-05-17 13:49:14 · answer #7 · answered by nancy jo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Notice the verse "OF THOSE WHO HATE ME." If we obey God and His commandments, He will not punish us.
2007-05-17 13:47:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wouldnt presume to know what God will do ... one thing is clear from the entire bible and all the examples ... those that humble themselves before God and walk a righteous path God will deal with and bless ..
2007-05-17 13:47:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
nothing,its their decision to believe in "the lord",to choose another religion,or not believe in it at all,only your mind can really punish you
2007-05-17 13:47:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋