[Amaziah] did what was right in the eyes of the LORD... he did not put their children to death, but acted in accordance with what is written in the Law, in the Book of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Parents shall not be put to death for their children, nor children be put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.” [ref. Deuteronomy 24:16]
And yet in Exodus 34:
6 And [the Lord] passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 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 parents to the third and fourth generation.”
And Numbers 14:18
The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.
So the Deuteronomy rule makes sense and seems fair enough. The other two do not. But God is just. What gives?
I suppose the implication with the Exodus and Numbers quotes is that there may be consequences to sin that have a lasting impact on your family. And that's probably how most Christians (and maybe Jews) would rationalize it. However, that's reading a good bit between the lines that may not be there because that's not really what it says. It reads as an active thing that God does - he punishes - not a passive thing in that he allows the consequences to perpetuate.
Thoughts?
Seems like a lot of stuff in the OT doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Maybe there are some pages missing. Or the interpreters were out to lunch at one point. Or maybe we just can't relate because it was sooooo long ago and in a different time. What seems fair to us now may not be what was fair then. I don't know. Maybe we should all take a course in OT understanding.
ReplyDeleteReally good post. It is very interesting and a great discussion point; I like it. But, I would say though that it is not important due to the new covenant of the 'Good News' and Jesus' salvation...
ReplyDeleteMaybe this explains it. The difference between the examples is that God is taking action, while he tells us through the law not to take action. He tells us not to take revenge or condemn, that only he is righteous and has the wisdom to provide appropriate punishment or righteous revenge. He is the infinite mechanism of balancing right and wrong. Even though we think we know how to appropriately punish, rest easy in the Lord, because he will take care of it perfectly, with the right balance of grace and anger. Only He knows everyone's hearts and minds and is the only one who can perfectly judge and respond.
ReplyDeleteThe negative effects of my grandfather's sins punished my father and me. But by crossing through this dark time, I came out blessed and saved. My blessing is a light and I bless others through it, including my father who also suffered. Therefore, it is true when the Word says to thank God for your rebuke.
Greg's comment about God taking action and not us applies rather well to the latest Georgian execution of Evan. According to Greg's comment, we should allow God to do the executing. When we assume the position that after many years, much discussions, and numerous trials, if the defendant is judged guilty, then we can be God and kill him. Maybe we should rethink capital punishment...
ReplyDeleteRomans 12:19
ReplyDeleteDear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the LORD.