"A Parents Sin"

  If only parents could realize the effects of their behavior that is has on their children, people might sober up spiritually. God reminded Israel that if they did not respond, treating Him as a God to be honored and worshipped, their iniquities would be visited upon the children, all the way to the fourth generation (Ex. 20:5/Deut. 5:9). Why would such a holy God do that to the innocent? What does the Lord God mean when the sins of a father are visited upon their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren?

  Let's see it from this view. When a father/mother breaks the law and taken before a judge, their sentence might be to prison. In the process, there are three children in the home, the judge is not punishing the children but the children suffer the loss of the parent. The judge is simply sending a message, trying to spare the rest of mankind (and the family) from evil and harmful ways. In that respect, the children have the sin of the mother/father visited on themselves.

  When God visits  the sins of a father on his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, it simply shows that they bear the consequences of the ungodly acts of their father (or mother) when God punishes them. The innocent aren't called sinful and God is not punishing them but the actions of the parent is bringing consequences to all those "beneath" them. There are consequences to sin that can be far reaching.

  I had the children and grandchildren of a family that refused to go to their father's/grandfather's funeral because of his reputation and actions had embarrassed them over the years. A couple of them changed their last names so they would not bear the shame of the actions of their father. Are they guilty? No! Do they have the sin of their father being visited upon them? Yes!

  We want our families blessed. God wants blessings in the relationship with Him. The promises attached or the curses attached are to send a message that the actions of parents can either bless their homes or curse their homes. God is looking out for His righteous purposes but those who treat God with contempt, with rebellion by walking into sin, the consequences can be devastating. Maybe it would do us all good to relearn: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."  (Eph. 6:4)