I had created a thread on this on one forum, can't remember which but the end result was NO God does not punish the children for the sins of the parent.
However, I just came across this which is suggesting otherwise?
And it was the word of the Lord to Elijah the Tishbite saying:
"Have you seen that Ahab is submissive to me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; in the days of his son I will bring the disaster on his house."
Was just having a similar discussion on another board. I have a book by a Rabbi which briefly mentions "the collective nature of sin". Here are some verses for this notion.
Jos 22:18 But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.
Jos 22:20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
The discussion concerned intentional sins and sins of ignorance. But none the less, I think it would apply to this discussion of Children as well. I think it concerns our humanity in our carnality. Isreal under Mosaic law is a carnal collective (genealogical). But spiritual Children do not necessarily follow in the sins of their parents. Same was true in ancient Israel.
But the day of atonement was the one day in the year that was strictly for atonement of the nation as whole. Which were sins commited in ignorance.
I think Paul spoke as a member of the carnal collective here.
14 ¶ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law