Sins of the fathers

Scripture: Exodus 20:5

 Sermon notes

These words were spoken audibly by God from Sinai, v1, 18-19, Deut 5:22. It is easy when reading the words that have become familiar to us to forget the dread import of them. These words are among the most solemn recorded in Scripture and are distinguished by being among the few that God actually spoke publicly and audibly from heaven; and are absolutely unique in that they were spoken audibly against the backdrop of a visible appearance of God in dreadful power and majesty at Sinai.

The reference to fathers in v5 is the first occasion within this promulgation of Divine law that singles out a specific class. The words are obviously addressed to every individual: thou, v3, 4, 5 etc. Now here is a subset of individuals being addressed by God.

The truth that God announces here leads us to consider the far-reaching impact of a father’s sin. And yet, even as this troubling truth is conveyed, there is a wonderful instance of Divine mercy because the mercy of God is said to reach to thousands [of generations]. The unit of measurement in the context is generations, not individuals. Cp Deut 7:9.

I CHILDREN REAP THE CONSEQUENCES OF FATHER’S SINS.

1. Sin has consequences. Cp Gal 6:7-8. There is a continuing harvest to sin that needs to be recognized.
2. An important principle of Divine justice. This statement is found within this summary of Divine law. It is part of the legal framework of Divine justice. God is bound by His Law! It cannot be otherwise therefore but that God will act according to this principle. Cp Jer 32:18.
3. Children are directly affected by parental sin. Divine justice insists that it is so! God will see to it that your children experience consequences from your sins. There is a striking instance of this in Israel’s own history, soon to develop, Num 14:33. The primary effect is that they learn the disobedient way of their fathers as their own way and so come under the displeasure of God. Cp Prov 22:6.
4. Limitation. The guilt of a father’s sin is not transferred to his children ordinarily. The only instance of this is within the covenant of works with Adam. All his descendants are polluted with his sin, Rom 5:12, 19. However, that is not in view here. The natural fruit of sin—short of its guilt—is reaped by children. Cp Ezek 18:1-4, 20.

II THIS IS ESPECIALLY SEEN TO BE THE CASE IN THE CONTEXT OF WORSHIP.

1. True v. false worship. That is what is under review in this command. The duty to worship God is established in v3. The manner of that worship is now dictated. Methodology in true worship is prescribed by God Himself. These first commandments deal with the vital aspects of true worship.
2. Fathers’ responsibility. Fathers have a legal responsibility given to them by God Himself in this command and elsewhere, to train their children in the right worship of God. Cp Ex 13:14, Deut 6:6-9, 20.
3. The far-reaching consequences of wrong choices in worship. When fathers abdicate their responsibility, or when wrong/sinful choices are made, their children learn those ways and must live with the consequences. Cp Lev 20:5. Generations unborn are affected by how we choose to worship God!!

III HERE IS AN IMPORTANT CHECK ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF FATHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

Fathers.

1. Must consider the future. There are future implications of every decision a father makes within the context of his worship of God. He must therefore live with the question in his mind: How is this going to affect my children? What is this action training my children to be or do?
2. Diligence. He must feel the obligation of this command to engage in the right worship of God diligently.
3. Prayerfully. He must feel, in the light of the pollution of his own heart, the need for God to show mercy as indicated by the next clause in the command. He must pray for mercy to outrun the effects of his own failures and sins!

Children.

1. Responsibility. There is a legal principle here that does not rule out personal responsibility. The command is still addressed to thou… 
2. A healthy examination of religious tradition. There is no place in the worship of God for an unquestioning acceptance of the example/pattern of fathers. The traditions passed on must ever be examined in the light of Divinely revealed truth. There is a looking back in the light of Scripture that is necessary. Cp Gal 1:14, 2 Thess 2:15.
3. A readiness to turn from the sins of the fathers. Many times in the history of God’s work, one generation has by grace had to face up to the fact that sins of the fathers needed to be confessed and turned away from. Cp Lev 26:40-42, Neh 9:2, Ps 106:6, Jer 14:20, Lam 5:7, Dan 9:8.

Those who are both.

Many will fall into both categories. A child and yet a parent. Here there must be both a looking back to compare the influences we have experienced with th e word of God; and a looking forward at the same time to make sure that the influences we are exercising on our children and others will cause them to go in God’s ways.