The Lord Shows Love to a Thousand Generations of Those Who Keep His Commandments
“Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.” – Genesis 7:21-23
Several years ago, we took a family trip to Kentucky to visit the Creation Museum in Petersburg and the Ark Encounter in Williamstown.
We were especially moved by the Ark Encounter. Noah’s Ark was brought to life and constructed according to the dimensions mentioned in the Bible. Getting to tour the structure was a fascinating way to visualize how preserving both human life and animal life during the flood was possible.
As part of the tour of the Ark Encounter, we were able to watch multiple videos about the world before, during, and after the flood. Our son, who was preschool age at the time, remained fixated for the remainder of our trip on one particular video, in which he learned that the children of the wicked perished in the flood.
In Genesis 7:1, we learn “The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.” We explained to our son that God saw into the hearts of all people who were alive during the time of the flood, and only recognized goodness in Noah and his immediate family.
We further hypothesized the children of the adults who were alive at that time were possibly abused, neglected, or mistreated, and were probably witnesses to evil deeds. Perhaps perishing in the flood was merciful to them. Otherwise, they would have grown up to continue the generational sins of their parents. For in Genesis 6:5, we learn, “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.”
Still, it was challenging explaining to a five-year-old why seemingly innocent children had to die alongside the wicked.
God takes generational patterns seriously. Exodus 20:5 states, “You shall not bow down to (false idols) or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” When God says He is a “jealous God” in this verse, it means He does not desire for us to reduce ourselves to worshipping false idols, which can lead us astray and keep us in bondage.
When parents do not love God, have evil inclinations, and make choices that go against God’s commands, they are setting their children on a dangerous path. When we are young, we model the words, actions, and thoughts of those who are raising us. Parents who partake in wicked actions will often raise children who repeat those wicked actions.
But there is hope. One person in a family blood line has the capability to change the course of their life and provide hope for their descendants.
In Exodus 20:6, God goes onto say, “(But I show) love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Ezekiel 18 further says, “But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things.” (v. 14) and “He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what was wrong among his people.” (vs. 17-18)
In these verses, we learn that God does not punish an individual when they choose to love God, to keep His commandments, and consciously do not commit the same sins as previous generations.
When we recognize we are repeating the unhealthy, toxic, or spiritually dangerous patterns of our family line, we have the authority as believers to declare, “This may run in my family, but it stops with me.”
Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus – our New Covenant – previous chains of generational sins can be broken.
In Galatians 3:13-14, we read, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”
We must pray to be aware of any generational sins and curses that are resting on us, and make the intentional choice to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. Through this commitment, we can pray to live differently than those who came before us. We can pray to live in accordance with the Lord’s commands.
Through breaking the chains of generational curses, we can provide a hope and a future for our children and our children’s children. In Psalm 112:1-3, we read, “Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.”
Unlike the children who perished in the flood, our future generations have a mighty promise – that if they commit their hearts and lives to Christ, they will be blessed.
As parents, may we begin setting an example, through words and actions and prayers, for our children and for future generations. May our children see us worshipping and praising God in all circumstances. May they recognize we are praying over them and for them. May they observe us being salt and light to those in need. May they witness us breaking poisonous generational patterns for their sake. May they reject the false idols of this world, and love only the Lord.
“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” (King David said to his son, Solomon.) “So be strong and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” (1 Kings 2:2-3)