When I woke up this morning, I remembered a Bible Study from the past when someone asked the question, “Are we accountable for the sins of our forefathers?” It is logical to believe the question was asked because the people of Judah believed they were being punished for the sins of their ancestors, not their own. In Genesis 20:5 it does say these words: “I lay the sins of the parents upon their children, the entire family is affected, even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.”
Another reason I present this message to you is because of my recent review and study of the book of Ezekiel. I am going to ask that you read and review chapter 18 of Ezekiel to help answer this question for yourself, but do not limit yourself to reading Ezekiel only. For it is the prophet Ezekiel and Jeremiah who taught that the destruction of Jerusalem was due to the sins of previous generations. Ezekiel shares God’s new policy because the people misconstrued the old one. He teaches that God judges each person individually. Each person is accountable to God for his/her own actions.
Ezekiel was a prophet of the exile period, suggesting that the sour grapes proverb would soon be rendered obsolete, as each would be judged for his own sins only.
God makes it very clear in Ezekiel 18 that we are accountable for our own sins. We are not accountable for someone else’s sins.
Please give special attention to the proverb in Ezekiel 18:2 that was used by Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste.” The proverb in Ezekiel 18:2 mentions that the father had eaten sour grapes. It means that the present generation of exiles was guilty just as their fathers were guilty. It is to be understood that the present generation was sinful and guilty before God just as the previous generation. They were committing the same sins of their fathers. They have also shared in sour grapes that the fathers ate. They will be judged for the sins of the present generation whose sins are the same as their ancestors.
The key to all of this is in verses 3 and 4 that says, “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, you will not quote this proverb anymore in Israel. For all people are mine to judge-both parents and children alike. And this is my rule. The person who sins is the one who will die.”
As we read this passage, we are confronted with some, “What Ifs”? What if a man has a son who grows up to be a robber and a murderer and refuses to do what is right. The son does all sorts of evil and sinful things his father was not guilty of and would never do. In this case the son must take full responsibility for his own sins.
What if the sinful son has a son who witness his father’s wickedness and decides to live a righteous life. He refuses to live his life as his father did. In this case the son will not die because of his father’s sins. The father will die for his sins, but the son will not die for his father’s sins.
The question is asked in verse 19, “Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins? No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live. The one who sins is the one who will die. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteousness behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness.”
The good news in this message is that if evil and wicked people turn away from their sins and obey God’s laws and do what is just and right, they will be forgiven for their sins. All of the past sins will be forgotten.
We can surmise that God does not punish a new generation for the sins of a former generation. However, God does hold children accountable who do not learn from their parent’s mistakes.
A most critical point is found in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
May we all put forth a concerted effort to live a life that will cause our children and grandchildren to live a better one than we did.
Just my thoughts!
Robert E. Slade, Pastor
