Punishment for a Parent's Sin?

This description of God, that He is "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness..." is quoted nine times in the Old Testament. The first place that this is heard is on Mt. Sinai, when the Lord passes by and shows all His glory to Moses. This description of God's mercy comes up several times in the psalms (Psalm 86, 103, & 145 and others) and was probably part of many worship liturgies during Bible times.

Usually when this passage is quoted elsewhere in the Bible, the line about punishing children for the sins of the fathers is not included. This is satisfying to us, because we struggle with that line that seems quite unfair. It helps for us to see the cultural background of it, and that God responds the way we do.

Ancient tribal peoples like the Israelites tended to see their identity as being a part of a family or clan rather than as an individual. They worked together in everything, and prospered or suffered together. It was understood that if one sinned, especially the leader, they would all bear guilt and suffer misfortune for it. To us it doesn't seem at all just, but to their logic, it seemed reasonable.

In fact, in Ezekiel 18, the people quoted a proverb to that effect:‘The fathers eat the sour grapes, but the children’s teeth are set on edge’ (Ezekiel 18:2). Interestingly, God tells them not to quote this proverb anymore. He strenuously disagrees with punishing children for the sins of their parents! Much of the chapter is written to make the point that God judges according the individual on his own terms, not in terms of the actions of his ancestors.

So, we see that God himself sees that each person himself is accountable before him, and that it is unjust to condemn people for sins committed before their time.

How do we interpret Exodus 34:6-7 in the light of this passage? The picture of several generations being condemned for a sin may be describing the generational pattern of sin that we see in families. A father who abuses his wife often has sons who are wife-abusers. Families do teach and reinforce patterns of sins (or righteousness) to their members that go on for generations. Could it be that the children aren't being punished for their parent's guilt, but that the children have carried on in the family sins themselves?

The answer from Ezekiel is that the consequences of sin only extend to the generations that keep on in the sin of the ancestors. There is always hope, if the children will just repent and change their ways. God doesn't take pleasure in the judgment of anyone, but bids us all to repent and live!

Punishment for a Parent's Sin? by Lois Tverberg The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. Exodus 34:6-7 This description of God, that He is "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness..." is quoted nine times in the Old Testament. The first place that this is heard is on Mt. Sinai, when the Lord passes by and shows all His glory to Moses. This description of God's mercy comes up several times in the psalms (Psalm 86, 103, & 145 and others) and was probably part of many worship liturgies during Bible times. Usually when this passage is quoted elsewhere in the Bible, the line about punishing children for the sins of the fathers is not included. This is satisfying to us, because we struggle with that line that seems quite unfair. It helps for us to see the cultural background of it, and that God responds the way we do. Ancient tribal peoples like the Israelites tended to see their identity as being a part of a family or clan rather than as an individual. They worked together in everything, and prospered or suffered together. It was understood that if one sinned, especially the leader, they would all bear guilt and suffer misfortune for it. To us it doesn't seem at all just, but to their logic, it seemed reasonable. In fact, in Ezekiel 18, the people quoted a proverb to that effect:‘The fathers eat the sour grapes, but the children’s teeth are set on edge’ (Ezekiel 18:2). Interestingly, God tells them not to quote this proverb anymore. He strenuously disagrees with punishing children for the sins of their parents! Much of the chapter is written to make the point that God judges according the individual on his own terms, not in terms of the actions of his ancestors. If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. (Ezekiel 18:25-27) Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! (Ezekiel 18:30-32) So, we see that God himself sees that each person himself is accountable before him, and that it is unjust to condemn people for sins committed before their time. How do we interpret Exodus 34:6-7 in the light of this passage? The picture of several generations being condemned for a sin may be describing the generational pattern of sin that we see in families. A father who abuses his wife often has sons who are wife-abusers. Families do teach and reinforce patterns of sins (or righteousness) to their members that go on for generations. Could it be that the children aren't being punished for their parent's guilt, but that the children have carried on in the family sins themselves? The answer from Ezekiel is that the consequences of sin only extend to the generations that keep on in the sin of the ancestors. There is always hope, if the children will just repent and change their ways. God doesn't take pleasure in the judgment of anyone, but bids us all to repent and live!
	©2006 Lois A. Tverberg, Ph.D., OurRabbiJesus.com. All rights reserved. This article is copyrighted and may not be redistributed without the express written consent of the author. To request permission for use, contact Tverberg@OurRabbiJesus.com.