Iniquity of the Fathers
While it may not be presented in the same language as what is found in God’s word, there is a lot of discussion today around the idea of generational guilt. There are those who believe this concept can be found in scripture. For instance, in a verse like this:
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
Exodus 34:6-7
Of course, to use this verse this way, we must first only pay attention the the last section about “visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children” for generations. If we include the full section, we see he is in the business of forgiving sin when one repents. If he forgives the one who commits the sin, he certainly isn’t going to punish the man’s righteous great-grandkids instead!
This is, instead, talking about the consequences that come from unrepentant sin following a man’s legacy. First, and most significantly, to live a life of sin with the stiff neck of unrepentance is to train one’s children (who are always watching) to do the same. All of us are obligated not only to ourselves, but to those who may see us as an example. Being a bad example is to harm those who are watching in addition to sinning against God.
Second, sin has consequences, and often for more than just the one committing them. When a murderer kills, their victim and their family also suffers loss. Likewise, when a parent leads a reckless, godless life, some of those consequences will negatively effect the lives of their children as well. Sexual immorality regularly produces children who will suffer not having a stable home. The children suffer because of the parent’s sin, though in this case the children are not guilty of anything in that regard.
It is a warning for all of us to repent, because the consequences of not doing so can go on and on.
Godly Justice
If generational guilt is not godly justice, what is?
“Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise: he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife, does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, withholds his hand from iniquity, takes no interest or profit, obeys my rules, and walks in my statutes; he shall not die for his father’s iniquity; he shall surely live. As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity.
“Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
Ezekiel 18:14-20
God is very gracious and eager for a sinner to repent. No matter how terrible a man’s father was, if he doesn’t do those things he inherits no guilt whatsoever. Even those who have sinned, God is eager to forgive if they turn away from their own sin. On the other hand, no amount of “merit” is gained by a child for their parent’s godliness. Each person will either turn from their own sinfulness and stand on the righteousness of Christ or die for their own sin.
Right With God
We can learn a lot from these verses. We can see what some call “justice” is really just generations of spiteful hatred. We can also see that, while man’s justice is often vicious and cruel, God is very gracious. Even if we have lived a lifetime of wrongdoing, he is ready to accept us as a follower wherever we find ourselves. He is eager to see a man turn from wickedness to him, and will reject none who do. In fact, it’s his work that changes a nature from one who loves wickedness to one who longs to be with God!
The good news is, if you got caught up in bearing false witness based on a concept of generational guilt and you now have eyes to see that, it’s because the Father is calling you to repent and be made right through the blood of Jesus. This isn’t to undermine the need for justice but ultimately God will avenge every wrong that our governing authorities fail to avenge upon the one who did wrong.
This is a blessing and a warning. If we are wronged, we know that justice will be done. Even if we don’t see it in this life, God has assured us wrongdoing is never consequence free. However, if we continue to live in sin, though we may suffer no consequences in this life, there awaits God’s judgement.
In the first scripture, God made clear that the effects of sin can affect our legacy. However, the effects of a life lived for Christ are eternal! Now is the time to repent of the our sin and live for what really matters.
