Although this is a stiff-necked
people, forgive our wickedness and our sin. (Exodus 34:9)
Twice in the
previous two chapters, God refers to Israel Mt. Sinai
The second
time occurred after the dust from the first storm had settled. God told Moses
he would send an angel ahead of them to drive out the present inhabitants of
the Promised Land, but that because of them being stiff-necked, he would not go
with them. If I were to go with you even for
a moment, I might destroy you (33:5). I guess that’s what happens when an
irresistible force meets an stiff-necked object.
In chapter 34
with things put to right, Moses celebrates God’s mercy and faithfulness. We
included his words (34:6,7) in our Day 26 discussion. Then Moses makes his
request: If I have found favor in your
eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people,
forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance (34:9).
No arguments;
we know how we can be. Been there – done that. It may take a lifetime for us to
learn to submit. Thank you, Father, for
not giving up on us.
Been stiff-necked
lately?
Exodus 34:
ReplyDeleteThe LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
Why would God punish the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation and not just the guilty parents? It would seem 3 to 4 generations later the children would not even know why they are being punished by God for something their ancestors did. Right before this verse it talks about how God is willing to forgive and is abounding in love and faithfulness and maintaining love to thousands .... and then this. This just does not seem very just to me. Am I missing something here?
Merry, I'm not going to address this question directly at this time because I want our Conversations class to discuss it in my absence this Sunday (February 5). I will suggest you browse three biblical passages: Exodus 20:5,6; Deuteronomy 24:16 and 2 Kings 14:6 (actually 2 Kings 12:17-21 and 14:1-6). After Sunday I'm going to revisit this page and ask you an important question.
ReplyDeleteMerry, I told you I was going to come back and ask you an important question. I know it doesn't seem fair for God to punish the children to the 3rd and 4th generation for the sins of their parents, but honestly, since when have children not suffered for the sins of their parents? We do no live in a vacuum. What we do affects those we love. Could this be God's way of saying our children will have to live with the consequences of our bad choices?
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