The Ten Commandments GENERATIONAL SINS “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)

The Ten Commandments GENERATIONAL SINS The Bible records many instances whereby God blesses certain individuals due to the righteousness of their forefathers. At the same time, the Bible also instructs us that some people sin as a direct result of actions instituted by their forefathers.

The Ten Commandments GENERATIONAL SINS GENERATIONAL SINS (cont’d) This verse helps us better understand who God is and how He chooses to work among people. In this text, God tells us the “what” (i.e., sin passes to generations). The message this morning will examine three potential means of “how” this might occur

The Ten Commandments Three Primary Means of Generational Sins Genetic Considerations 1. Genetic Considerations Neuroscience research has shown that some addictions and proclivities toward certain sins may be generically- impacted. This fact does NOT (a) excuse any sins, (b) justify any sins, or (c) make one irresponsible for certain sins.

The Ten Commandments Three Primary Means of Generational Sins 1. Genetic Considerations (cont’d) We all are responsible for our actions—irrespective of our inherited genes. Ezekiel 18:2-4 “What do you mean, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? As I live, says the Lord God, you shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:2-4)

The Ten Commandments Three Primary Means of Generational Sins 2. Modeling Sometimes children sin because they see and follow the poor example(s) of their parents.

The Ten Commandments Three Primary Means of Generational Sins 2. Modeling 2. Modeling (cont’d) Examples of Wicked Kings: 1 Kings 16:25 “But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the Lord, and did worse than all that were before him.” (1 Kings 16:25) 1 Kings 16:30 “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him.” (1 Kings 16:30) 1 Kings 22:51-52 “Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.” (1 Kings 22:51-52)

The Ten Commandments Three Primary Means of Generational Sins 2. Modeling 2. Modeling (cont’d) Example of David and his Children/Grandchildren: 2 Samuel 5:13 “And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem.” (2 Samuel 5:13) 1 Kings 11:3 “And he [Solomon] had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines.” (1 Kings 11:3) 2 Chronicles 11:21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines.” (2 Chronicles 11:21)

The Ten Commandments Three Primary Means of Generational Sins 3. God’s Divine Curse From the earliest events in the Bible to the end of the book of Revelation, we find that sometimes God chooses to actively curse people. It certainly is not a pleasant idea. But, if we want to truly understand the ways of God, then we need to realize how He works at times (169 times, so God makes it clear that we cannot overlook this Bible principle!)

The Ten Commandments Three Primary Means of Generational Sins 3. God’s Divine Curse 3. God’s Divine Curse (cont’d) curseGod’s supernatural intervention, maneuvering circumstances unfavorably toward an individual. What is a “curse?” God’s supernatural intervention, maneuvering circumstances unfavorably toward an individual. notbad luck Curses in the Bible are not “bad luck.” They are punishments from God due to sin violations. Proverbs 26:2 “The curse causeless shall not come.” (Proverbs 26:2)

The Ten Commandments Three Primary Means of Generational Sins 3. God’s Divine Curse 3. God’s Divine Curse (cont’d) 2 Samuel 12: 10 “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your [David’s] house; because you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.” (2 Samuel 12: 10) Malachi 2:2 “If you will not hear, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, says the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not lay it to heart.” (Malachi 2:2)

The Ten Commandments Some Applications: Be careful about feeling as though you’ve “gotten away” with various sins. While you might not visibly see some of the consequences, God may visit your own iniquity on your children, grandchildren, and/or great grandchildren. There are many, many reasons for us not to sin. Concern for our progeny should be one of them.

The Ten Commandments Some Applications : Some Applications (cont’d): We should ask God for “mercy” regarding the sins our forefathers committed and commit ourselves to “break the cycle,” right now—with our present generation. Nehemiah 9:2 “Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before you now, day and night, for the children of Israel you servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you: both I and my father's house have sinned.” (Nehemiah 9:2)