The reading plan for this week is:
- Weekend: 2 Kings 1 - 3
- Monday: 2 Kings 4 - 8
- Tuesday: 2 Kings 9 - 12
- Wednesday: 2 Kings 13 - 17
- Thursday: 2 Kings 18 - 21
- Friday: 2 Kings 22 - 25
This week we'll finish the 2nd book of Kings. The 2nd book of Kings is a continuation of the 1st book of Kings, and describes the history of the kingdoms of Israel and the kingdom of Juda after their division. In the first 8 chapters, the prophetic ministries of Elijah and then Elisha are prominent. Second Kings also gives the account of the Assyrian invasion and subsequent captivity of the northern kingdom of Israel. After the Assyrian captivity all that remains is Judah. Would the people of Judah learn from the mistakes of their 'brothers' in the North and survive the Babylonian sieges? Find out as we enjoy another week of great scripture.
Dick
In 2 Kings 14:6 the scriptures assert that we are each responsible for our own sins and will not be put to death for the sins of our parents or children. This seems to go against what God says in the 10 Commandments about punishing the children for any sins passed down even up to the 4th generation.
ReplyDeleteThis whole idea sometimes gives me shivers as I think about the ways I have allowed sin to be passed to my children. Sometimes my character flaws can be seen in them. I hate to think that God is punishing them because of me. This is an idea I struggle with and yet I can see the natural consequences occurring. Maybe the struggle is with the idea of God actively punishing my children.
Steve, you're bringing up an interesting point. This verse in 2 Kings 14:6 actually refers back to what is written in Deut. 24:16: "Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin." Since this is written in the law of Moses, who also wrote down Deut. 5:9 (2nd Commandment), we have to conclude that the 2nd Commandment 'visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate me' has to mean something different. One difference is that the 2nd Commandment talks about 'God visiting the next generation' -- which could mean 'punish' like you suggest -- whereas Deut.24:16 talks about human justice - capital punishment of one human by humans for the sin committed by a relative. My impression is that God is trying to protect here, perhaps even to prevent abuse of the 2nd Commandment. The 2nd Commandment is really an act of God pointed against people who hate Him -- which is different from punishing someone who commits a sin that deserves capital punishment. You also have to read Jeremiah 31:30 and Ezekiel 18:4,20 in this context.
ReplyDeleteHaving said this, I totally agree with you that in reality, we do see it happen that sins (and their consequences) are being passed on to the next generation. You see it happen over and over that children from broken families end up in a negative spiral themselves. And their children as well... It is so difficult to break the chain in that respect. Like you say: your own flaws are oftentimes visible in your children, and that in itself can oftentimes be a 'punishment' for them (think of the negative spiral).
Concerning your struggle with the idea that God 'actively punishes your children', I believe that under the new covenant, Jer. 31:30 and Ezek.18:20 tell us that this is not the case anymore.