A Debate (Part Three) - God or God?

I had some difficulty deciding whether to publish this post or not; I realise it may come across as unsympathetic and offensive to some. So if you're going to read it, please read it through to the end before giving your final verdict.  


On Monday I spoke about Jesus healing a man born blind and how the disciples (and many of us) were blind to the point of the story – which was not the man's blindness, but rather Jesus' healing of him.

Yesterday's post dealt with the question of God's fairness.

Now if you're still not satisfied – if you still think, "Yes, but there are actual Biblical instances of God being unfair," then this post is for you.

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."

-    Exodus 20:4–6

"How is that fair to the poor, innocent children?" you may ask, "Why should they be punished for the sins of their parents?"

Now I would point out that before God put this into action, He warned the people about it. This is, in fact, included in the Ten Commandments given to the Israelites. It was a direct consequence to their sin. If their children ended up cursed, it would be because of their disobedience, not because of God's unfairness. In this way, the parents were accountable for the lives of their children.

Let's also not forget the other side of the coin – the rewards promised to the descendants of the faithful in verse 6.

What else would you suggest God do to encourage obedience, after rescuing the people from slavery in Egypt and then watching them bow down to a golden farm animal? Perhaps God made this law to teach the Israelites about legacy – what had they been leaving for their children. After all, the generations to come would surely be more responsive, having suffered for their parents' sins and not want the same for their children to come.

And perhaps God knew that some, even if it were only a few, would respond because of their children. If they wouldn't do it for themselves, they would it for their children.

And is it not true that most people today, whether they believe in God or not, still believe that parents are and should be responsible for their children?

Thank the Lord that Jesus abolished this law when he died in atonement for our sins.

And with that God turned the whole law on its head – instead of punishing the sinners' children, He sent His only Son to be punished for the sins of every single person ever to have breathed the air of this earth.

If you still have doubts or questions, feel free to ask/comment. I don't have all the answers, but maybe we can figure them out together.