Recently, I was doing a study on Fatherhood, the effects of falls or sins committed by fathers on their families.
Three examples jumped on me immediately: Gehaz, David and the Satraps who reported Daniel to King Darius. I shall dwell briefly on their narratives for the benefit of those who do not read the Bible.
GEHAZI
Naaman, an army general visited prophet Elisha over his health challenge and brought gifts for the prophet. The prophet delivered but rejected the gifts and the general left. Gehazi, the prophet’s PA was shocked.
He ran after the general and lied that the prophet sent him to collect some portion of the gifts. The general obliged.
Later the prophet confronted his PA with his misdemeanour. In anger, the prophet said the sickness that left the general would come upon the PA and his family.
Here is the issue: Gehaz sinned but he and his family were punished! Fathers, be careful.
DAVID:
He slept with a married woman, got her pregnant and to cover his deeds, got her husband, Uriah killed. God got angry with David and ‘cursed’ his family.
“From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own.
Because of what you have done, I will cause your own household to rebel against you.
I will give your wives to another man before your very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view.” Men, listen, David sinned, his household was punished! Let us be careful.
DANIEL AND THE SATRAPS:
The Satraps reported Daniel to King Darius and got him into the lion’s den. The following morning, the king was at the den and Daniel was alive.
The king brought Daniel out. His judgement was not just on the Satraps, but also on their wives and children. Fathers, be careful.
There are two more: Adam and Eve; their descendants got their shares of the curse. Same with Eli the prophet. His parental negligence got his descendants into serious trouble.
Some of these experiences, like Daniel and Gehazi, were the judgement of men on men. That of David was directly from God.
Does God visit the sins of the fathers on the children? Some texts in the Bible seem to say Yes and others, No. My job is to balance the Scriptures and warn you.
THE YES:
The Lord…visits the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation. (Ex 34:6-7, Deut 5:8-10)
Also, “Because of their iniquity, and also because of the iniquities of their fathers they shall rot away like them.” (Lev 26:39)
THE NO:
Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers.” (Deut 24:16) …But each one shall die for his own sin.” (2 Kings 14:6)
The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffers for the iniquity of the son. (Eze 18:20, cf. Jer 31:30)
5 THINGS YOU NEED TO SAY AND PRAY OVER YOUR CHILD EVERY DAY
How do these passages fit? John Piper, founder and teacher in Bethlehem Seminary, Minnesota responds thus:
1. The sins committed by fathers are punished in the children by becoming the sins of the children.
“I the Lord…visit the iniquity of the fathers on the children … of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my laws.” (Ex 20:5; cf. Num 14:18) Children who experience the penalty of their fathers’ sins are those who hate God.
2. Because of God’s grace, which is finally secured by Christ, the children can confess their own sins and the sins of their fathers and be forgiven and accepted by God.
“But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers… then I will remember my covenant with Jacob” (Lev 26:40-42).
Fathers, the precious words of Exodus 34:6-7 are not nullified by the generational migration of sin. To date, when fathers fall, so many children suffer.
But praise God that He said no longer shall the teeth of the children be set on edge because their fathers ate sour grapes. This is available ONLY for children who are in Christ.
Are you under such weights? Are things so difficult for you in spite of all your efforts? Seek God today. Sins committed by fathers.
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I hope I am in order…?
By Bola Adewara
