Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is
Ezekiel 18:1-4
mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.” vs. 4
It was written in the law of Israel, “I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation…” The sentiment seems severe, yet we can see its truth. Children suffer because of what their parents and grandparents have done. They live in deplorable conditions and face enormous obstacles, not because of their actions, but because of what those who have gone before them have done. It’s as plain as the noses on their faces. Yet the prophet Ezekiel dares to put forward another great truth. A child is not liable for the sins of its parents. This hopeful corrective to the law means that we are not bound to walk in the ways of our ancestors. Even if they’ve been the scum of the earth, we don’t need to be that way. We can be different. This is much more in line with the teachings of Jesus and takes away the sense of inevitability for what happens in our lives. Every single person gets a fresh start in Christ Jesus and each person can chart their own path through life. Of course parents will have an influence, at the very least there will be a genetic connection, but they can’t determine our future — and we can’t blame them for how we’ve turned out.
Thought for the Day: What parental influences have I noticed?
0 Comments