Iniquity of the Parents

“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them [graven images], nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me” (Exodus 20:5 KJV). The sins of the parents are punished in the children, though it now becomes the children committing the sins. When we actively engage in the same sin as our parents, we become guilty of a collective sin. Then, it is appropriate to confess and repent of our collective sin. God gave permission for the children to be tempted and afflicted by the sin of their parents. Why to the third and fourth generation? Poetic prose? Sin is a hard thing triggering God’s anger, but “His anger endureth but a moment” (Psalm 30:5), moderating unto the third and fourth generation, demonstrating His mercy. Parents, leave no unconfessed, impenitent sin to plague your children, for they will be tempted to imitate you and likewise be punished. 

Understanding Anger and Hate

“God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11 KJV). “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil” (97:10). For the godly, anger is an emotional displeasure aroused by wrong, while hate is an intense dislike or hostility toward evil. It is right to be angry with wickedness attempting to control your conduct, and proper to hate evil finding its place in your heart. Bigotry and injustice can only occur when God is ignored. “Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9 NET). LORD, establish within us a holy hatred of sin, a fervent anger against wickedness, and a zealous love of righteousness that we may be as You are. Amen and amen.