|
The
Journey Home To Love
The real-life stories of 5 people and their search to find unconditional
love and acceptance.
If you do not know The Heavenly Father as your Heavenly Father or feel sparated in any way from Him please click here
Copyright notice: Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2008
www.FathersLoveLetter.com
You are not alone. If you would like someone to talk to and to pray with you, Request prayer online now » Or you may call 1-877-247-2426 to pray with someone right now.
Does God "Visit the Sins of the Fathers on the Children"?Getting Serious about Education for Exultation
By
John Piper, February 1, 2000
Sometimes critics will say that the early
parts of the Bible (Exodus 20:5-6; 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18) portray God as "visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children," while later
parts of the Bible (Jeremiah 31:29; Ezekiel 18:2; Job 21:19) reject this and teach that "sons [shall not] be put to death for their fathers."
But this evolutionary way of thinking about the development of Bible doctrine does not fit the texts. There are three problems
with this view.
1. In the same Biblical books you get both angles. For example, Deuteronomy 5:9-10 says, "I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on
the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness
to thousands, see [Deuteronomy 7:9], to those who love Me and keep My commandments." But in Deuteronomy 24:16 it says, "Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death
for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin." Both perspectives are in the same book. (Compare
also Jeremiah 32:17-18 with Jeremiah 31:29.) [Italic emphases added]
2. Not only that, there are texts that describe God's punishment as owing to
both the sins of the fathers and the sins of the children. For example, in Isaiah 65:6b-7 God says, "I will even repay into their bosom, both their own iniquities and the iniquities
of their fathers together." (See also Leviticus 26:39 and Jeremiah 16:10-12.)
3. Even in the early texts that describe the visitation of the fathers' sins on the children, the children are
described as those who are opposed to God and therefore deserving of punishment, and those who continue the heritage of blessing
as covenant keepers. For example, Exodus 20:5-6 says "I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the
children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands [of generations],
to those who love Me and keep My commandments" (see also Deuteronomy 5:9-10; 7:9). And Psalm 103:17-18 says, "But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who
fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, to those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do
them."
What conclusions shall we draw from these observations?
1. The visitation of the fathers' sins on the children is not a simple punishment
of innocent children for what the fathers did. The children themselves are always thought of as sinful and rebellious as the
fathers' sin is worked out in their lives. See point three above.
2. There are two kinds of effects of fathers' sins in the lives
of children: one is rebellion against God; the other is the calamities of judgment that God brings on the children. We are
not told how this rebellious condition is passed to or "visited on" the children. God has the right to punish fathers
in the calamities that come upon their children, as Jeremiah 16:10-11 says ("For what reason has the LORD declared all this great calamity against us?"...
"It is because your forefathers have forsaken Me"), but he chooses to do this in a way that justly correlates with
the children's own guilt.
3. None of this should make anyone feel trapped and without hope because of his parents' sins. For Ezekiel 33:14-15 says, "When I say to the wicked, 'You will surely die,' and he turns from his sin
and practices justice and righteousness . . . he shall surely live; he shall not die." The blood of Jesus conquers all
sin and judgment for those who believe.
4. And no one who has a child who goes bad and forsakes the way of righteousness, should feel
that it is all his fault. For Ezekiel 18:20 says, "The father [will not] bear the punishment for the son's iniquity."
5. All this should make us intensely
committed to EDUCATION FOR EXULTATION - at home and at church. Great and lasting things are at stake for future generations
not only because of what we teach, but also because of what we are.
Trembling with joy in the forgiveness of Jesus,
Pastor John © Desiring God
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged
to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge
a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions
to the above must be approved by Desiring God.
Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org
Used by permission
Chris Hill: Your Parents Are Human
As a child, it’s easy to grow up thinking that parents are superheroes because of their
protection over us. In this 2-minute teaching video illustration, Chris Hill reminds us that parents are human, not superheroes
and need God’s grace and mercy just like we do.
You can become part of an awesome ministry.
Reach out and send a massage for a laugh or as a ministry tool. If you would like to forward or embed the above video
just click on the video after watching, the next page will allow you to forward the video to a friend or embed the video on
your favorite web page. Be sure to add, you can find many more videos @ http://www.teensidevideo.com or, just copy and paste the above
paragraph when sending and/or posting The Generational Curse Question
By Lay Teacher Sam Horner
January
2009
Deuteronomy 5:9-10 (NIV) 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, but
showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.
All too often those who quote Deuteronomy 5:9 quote the first part of the verse and fail to quote the last part of verse 9 and verse 10 “of those who hate me,
but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
There are some who have created whole ministries out of the
first part of verse 9. My own daughter told me that her pastor had laid hands on her and prayed to do away with “the
generational curse” My reaction when hearing this was, “There is no generational curse. The curse was done away
with at the cross.” It is finished; the vail of the sanctuary was rent in two from top unto bottom signifying that we
can enter the Holy of Holies. Is this preacher taking credit for something that Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross or
is there something else that needs to be accomplished before entering the Holy of Holies? It would seem from the 2 verses
below that the curse has been broken for everyone except my daughter who needed something extra, something added to the gospel
after the Cannon was closed.
Romans 8:1-2 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law
of sin and death."
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,
Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Let's look at Deuteronomy 5:9-10 again; "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, but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments."
It would seam, from Deuteronomy 5:9-10 the
verse above, unfair for God to punish children for the sins of their fathers. However, God knows that the effects of sin are
passed down from one generation to the next. When a father has a sinful lifestyle, his children may take on the same sinful
lifestyle. If they are committing the same sins as their ancestors it is not unjust for God to punishing the children for
the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but they are being punished for their own
sins, not the sins of their ancestors. The Bible specifically tells us that God does not hold children accountable for the
sins of their parents.
Centuries ago the Jews had taken the above revelation to Moses and turned it into sing song kind of a poetic taunt. God had
both Ezekiel and Jeremiah set the record straight. The record can only be set straight in our mind when the Word is not just
one verse quoted without the total study of all verses concerning the subject are studied together. Let’s look at the
above verse in context of the entire Word of God. I pray that the pastor who prayed for my daughter and those who have created
a ministry of releasing others from such a curse will realize that they are really creating more bondage. I pray that they
will take the words from Ezekiel and Jeremiah and make it a part of the total picture in their ministry.
Ezekiel 18:1-4 (NIV) The word of the Lord came to me: "What do you people mean by quoting this proverb
about the land of Israel: 'The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? As surely as
I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For every living soul belongs to me,
the father as well as the son--both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die."
Ezekiel 18:14-16,18-20 (NIV) "But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though
he sees them, he does not do such things: He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel...
He does not oppress anyone... He does not commit robbery, but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked...
He will not die for his father's sin; he will surely live. But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced
extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people. 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."
Jeremiah 31:29-32 (NIV) In those days people will no longer say,
'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.' Instead, everyone will die for
his own sin; whoever eats sour grapes--his own teeth will be set on edge. "The time is coming," declares the Lord,
"when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant
I made with their forefathers..."
Our Bible states that Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and
death. Hebrews 2:14-15 says "that through death he [Jesus] might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;"
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin
and death.
Gal 3:26, 27 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have
been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,
Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Colossians 1:12-14 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance
of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of
his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
John 8:36 says "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be
free indeed."
Phil 4:7: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
2Thess 3:3: But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep
you from evil.
We
were all under curses before we got saved but in Jesus, old things
are passed away:
2Cor 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old
things are passed away; behold,
all things are become new.
Gal 3:13: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being
made a curse for us: for it is
written, Cursed is every one that hangeth
on a tree:
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that
are sanctified.
Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all
principality and power
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,
and of love, and of a
sound mind.
There is a great deal of confusion in relation to the subject of 'generational curses' ... many liberated believers
have returned to a land of bondage.
If we have retained Generational curses we would not have been invited to enter with confidence into the Most Holy Place nor
could we draw near to God. To suggest that we need to search for something more then Grace alone in order to enter the Most
Holy Place would lead me to believe that someone has added to the Gospel a “New Revelation.”
Hebrews 10:19-22 (NIV) Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house
of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us
from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews
10:19-22 (AMP) Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power
and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through
the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh, And since we have [such] a great and wonderful
and noble Priest [Who rules] over the house of God, Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts
in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God
in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty
(evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water.
Colossians 1:20-22 says, "And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto
himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies
in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and
unblameable and unreproveable in his sight."
Galatians 5:1. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not
entangled again with the yoke of bondage"
Please don't allow anyone or their books cause you to return to you the bondage and heavy baggage
that you carried.
Galatians 4:9 says, "But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to
the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?"
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 states, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new and all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the
ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses
unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
Romans 5:8-10 says, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for
us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God by the death of his son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
Although there are those who pray and command the breaking of generational
curses in “the name of Jesus,” I can not find one example in the Word of God where Jesus, Paul, Peter or anyone
else ever prayed or commanded such a practice. On the contrary I would be fearful of adding to the gospel with this message.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which
we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed.
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute
this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost
of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be
approved by Pure Word Counseling
Please include the following statement on any distributed copy:
By Sam Horner © Pure Word Counseling.
Website: www.PureWordCounseling.com
|
