Meditate on
this lengthy Scripture today:
But
suppose that man has a son who grows up to be a robber or murderer and refuses
to do what is right. And that son does all the evil things his father would
never do—he worships idols on the mountains, commits adultery, oppresses the
poor and helpless, steals from debtors by refusing to let them redeem their
security, worships idols, commits detestable sins, and lends money at excessive
interest. Should such a sinful person live? No! He must die and must take full
blame.
But
suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father's wickedness
and decides against that kind of life. This son refuses to worship idols on the
mountains and does not commit adultery. He does not exploit the poor, but
instead is fair to debtors and does not rob them. He gives food to the hungry
and provides clothes for the needy. He helps the poor, does not lend money at
interest, and obeys all my regulations and decrees. Such a person will not die
because of his father's sins; he will surely live. But the father will die for
his many sins—for being cruel, robbing people, and doing what was clearly wrong
among his people.
'What?'
you ask. 'Doesn't the child pay for the parent's sins?' No! For if the child
does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live.
The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for
the parent's sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child's sins.
Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked
people will be punished for their own wickedness. But if wicked people turn
away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and
right, they will surely live and not die. All their past sins will be
forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done. Ezekiel 18:10-22
Live or die?
What if…?
Do you ever
think about…what if I had done such and such…? I do. It is very reassuring that
the child doesn’t pay for the parent’s sin, but there is other scripture that
elaborates on this concerning those guilty of iniquity, rebellion and sin. The
consequences of sin—unrepentant sin—are passed on to the children. Imagine that
punishment going on for several generations. That is what God instructed. Is
that good motivation to repent? How much do sinners care about the next
generation?
I
lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion,
and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon
their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children
in the third and fourth generations. Exodus 34:7
God is certainly merciful to the
repentant souls—to those living a righteous life. Love to a thousand
generations. If a generation is about thirty years, as Wikipedia suggests, then
30,000 years would be the length of time for God to pour out His enduring love.
That is a very long time!
Prayer – Lord God, please forgive me for
harboring sin in my heart and life—for my rebellious attitude. Sometimes I just
want things…my way. I know that is not right. I need to live Your way. Thank
you for forgiveness…and for the mercy that You are showing to even the third
and fourth generations of my family. Please continue to bless me, my family,
friends and dear neighbors.
© 2020 Text and
photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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