4th Generation?

Dear Victorious,

Settle and argument for me. My father-in-law (who thinks he knows everything) insists that God punishes sin to the 4th generation. He says it's in the Bible. So, for example, he believes that my great grandchildren will be punished for the sins I've committed. I say God wouldn't do that; it just wouldn't be fair. Who's right here?

Donald T. - Birmingham, AL

Dear Donald,

Neither of you are right. What your father-in-law cites is in the Bible - but he is misunderstanding its meaning. I can think of two Scripture verses where it specifically mentions punishment of sin "to the third and fourth generation." The first is in Numbers 14:18. The second is in Deuteronomy 5:9-10.

When Moses makes this reference in Numbers 14:18, he is describing the impact of sin. We can understand this to be the natural consequences of sin. So if a parent is sinful and rebellious, the children will suffer in that they will not learn how to live right. As a result, their children will suffer similarly. Ignorance, rebellion, unbelief and other maladies are systemically passed on from generation to generation. God is not saying he intends to punish three or four generations for one sin. He is saying that He will allow the natural consequences of our sin to play themselves out - from generation to generation.

The reference in Deuteronomy 5:9-10 is even more clear. God says these consequences will pass from generation to generation "of those who hate me." This means that unless the generation turns to God and disrupts the pattern of disobedience and rebellion of their parents or other ancestors --- they will suffer the natural consequences of those sins. However, God adds that if the next generation turns to Him in obedience then He will respond to them in love (with forgiveness and mercy).

You and your father-in-law should not be ignorant about who God is or how He works. Sin affects many people besides the sinner who commits it. Some of those people aren't even born yet when the sin is committed. This is the reality of how sin works ... and it's the most important point of these Scripture references.

However, God is love and He offers forgiveness and mercy to all who will turn to them. So, for example, if you think you are suffering the consequences of your parents' (or other ancestors) sin, then you can turn to God with a repentant heart and expect His forgiveness and mercy.

Some people make intercessory prayer for those forefathers (and mothers) who may have sinned ... acknowledging those sins before God and asking Him to forgive those sins. While you might argue that this isn't really necessary (since you didn't commit the sin), it does demonstrate to God the fact that you have a repentant heart and don't own the sin that was committed. In other words, it demonstrates that you agree with God about the fact that the sin was wrong.