“Perhaps no biblical contradiction is more difficult to comprehend than god's (sic) refusal to frame a consistent policy concerning the punishment of children for the sins of their parents.”
Brian Bolton
PRO: Exodus 20:5; 2 Samuel 12:13-18; I Kings 13:34, 14:10, 21:25-29; II Kings 5:27
CON: Deuteronomy 24:6; II Kings 14:6; II Chronicles 25:4; Jeremiah 31:29-30; (Ezekiel 18:2-4)
Actually, if you look at each of these passages in their context, God is totally consistent. In the first group of Scriptures, He announces that it is His prerogative to mete out punishment on the family of any Israelite who is disobedient, but in practice God only does so directly in four cases – each of which involves a person in a very responsible position (three kings and Elisha's servant).
In the second group of verses, God first makes it clear that the people are never take it on themselves to carry out such punishments, only Himself. The Ezekiel passage is addressed to the exiles who were blaming the sinfulness of their parents for their own plight, and Ezekiel tells them to quit complaining and concentrate on their own sinfulness. And finally, in Jeremiah, God announces that when the New Covenant comes into effect, even He Himself will not punish any children for their parents' offenses.
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