TRAC Bible Matters ¢ The Rev Daniel C Tan started his pastoral ministry after graduating from Trinity Theological College in 2003. He is currently appointed to Fairfield Methodist Church as Pastor-in-Charge.
Is there a generational curse
that extends to third and fourth generations?
A
s I was preparing this article, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. I got to know of people who lost incomes or jobs; others (or family members) were infected with the virus; some were depressed and fearful to the point of panic and irrationality. In the midst of this time of trial and testing, people asked if the reason we are going through such a terrible time is the sins or unbelief of the generations before us that have brought God’s punishment upon us. People asked for prayers for this curse to be broken.
How do we reconcile what seem to be conflicting and confusing warnings? What is God really saying in these passages?
It is perhaps a poignant time to look at Scripture verses like Deuteronomy 5:9, Exodus 20:4–6, or even Exodus 34:7 to understand if these verses support the idea of a generational curse.
In the verses we are exploring, God defined the expectations for a relationship to Him. We know them as the Ten Commandments given at Sinai. God emphasises undivided loyalty and states the fundamental principles for living in right relationship with Him, together with a warning of the consequences if that relationship is broken.
Deuteronomy 5:9 says: “You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” This is linked to Deuteronomy 27:15a: “Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.” At first glance, these verses do seem to support the idea of a generational curse. Children will be punished for their parents’ sin. Is this not a blatant miscarriage of justice? It surely looks really unfair for God to take out their parents’ sin on the innocent. Would it not make more sense for the people committing the sin to bear the consequences of their actions? If pushed a bit further, it seems like a judge sentencing a murderer to death by hanging and extending the sentence to the murderer’s children and grandchildren. That is what these passages seem to allude to. This kind of justice seems totally unfair and uncharacteristic of the gracious God that we know. Perhaps the kind of justice described in Deuteronomy 7:9– 10 seems more justifiable: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face.”
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METHODIST MESSAGE AUGUST 2020
The word “curse” is generally defined as a prayer or invocation for harm, evil, misfortune or injury to come upon someone as a retribution. Sometimes, it is known as an “imprecation”. In the Bible, the word “curse” is often used in contrast to “blessing”. Usually, when a curse is pronounced against any person, it is the penalty for breaking a promise or oath.
God showers mercy on those who love Him and keep His commandments. God also warns that if the people do not follow the commandments and turn away, there will be the danger of false forms of worship which will have profound consequences for future generations—their children and grandchildren will not be properly instructed regarding the covenant relationship with God and with one another. This is essential to their life and well-being. It is important to understand that God’s justice is part and parcel of His mercy and grace. We cannot take Deuteronomy 5:9 by itself. We must look also at verse 10 (which is crucial): “You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Taking these two verses together, we see something very clearly—God does not desire to curse us. Rather, it is a warning that sin has its consequences and God will punish sin. More than that, these verses show that God is more willing to bless than to curse. When God says He will punish, it is only to the third and fourth generations. But His mercy and grace will be shown to thousands (ESV) or to the thousandth generation (NRSV). The contrast is obvious! It shows God’s emphasis on His divine love and forgiveness.
