Generational Curses

[JM]

I've done alot of reading (of the Bible and other) and now see “generational curses” in several places Exodus 20:5; 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 5:9. It may seem unfair but God knows that sin is passed down from one generation to the next in the lifestyle taught to the family by the father/head of the family. The children end up commiting the same sins there fathers did.

When someone is saved Jesus Christ lifts all the curses, as a Christian we are not under God's curse anymore (Romans 8:1). The curse of death came by one man, blessing and peace by another.
What is your take on curses?

 

[Fat]

I've done alot of reading (of the Bible and other) and now see “generational curses” in several places Exodus 20:5; 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 5:9. It may seem unfair but God knows that sin is passed down from one generation to the next in the lifestyle taught to the family by the father/head of the family. The children end up commiting the same sins there fathers did.

When someone is saved Jesus Christ lifts all the curses, as a Christian we are not under God's curse anymore (Romans 8:1). The curse of death came by one man, blessing and peace by another.
What is your take on curses?

What can I say about curses? All I know is that I am inherently evil and I am deserving of death but He has offered me life. Who am I to criticize the way God made me? Am I capable of forming my own life? Does clay form the pot without the hands of a pottery maker? I was clay and have no say as to how God formed me. I just praise Him for all He has done, for His love, and His grace.
God has given me more then I deserve it is hard to for me to feel I am cursed.

Fat

 

[JM]

When someone is saved Jesus Christ lifts all the curses, as a Christian we are not under God's curse anymore (Romans 8:1). The curse of death came by one man, blessing and peace by another.

That's why I made sure to mention the above.

 

[PapaLandShark]

Honestly not much to say beyond that. We are covered by His Blood.

 

[Fat]

That's why I made sure to mention the above.

Yes I understand that and I'am sure that you know I was referencing Rom 9

6*But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7*Neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants. On the contrary, in Isaac your seed will be called. 8*That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God's children, but the children of the promise are considered seed. 9*For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son. 10*And not only that, but also when Rebekah became pregnant by Isaac our forefather 11*(for though they had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to election might stand, 12*not from works but from the One who calls) she was told: The older will serve the younger. 13*As it is written: Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.

14* What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not! 15*For He tells Moses: I will show mercy to whom I show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. 16*So then it does not depend on human will or effort, but on God who shows mercy. 17*For the Scripture tells Pharaoh: For this reason I raised you up: so that I may display My power in you, and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth. 18*So then, He shows mercy to whom He wills, and He hardens whom He wills. 19*You will say to me, therefore, "Why then does He still find fault? For who can resist His will?" 20*But who are you--anyone who talks back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" 21*Or has the potter no right over His clay, to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor? 22*And what if God, desiring to display His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience objects of wrath ready for destruction? 23*And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory on objects of mercy that He prepared beforehand for glory-- 24*on us whom He also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

 

[Unnamed Servant]

The curse of sin has obviously been conquered by Christ's blood, but many point to physical/psychological problems as curses. The idea of curses in the old testament is generally thought of as whole people groups being punished for their sins. The idea of God causing bad things to happen to people because they have sinned, and good things to people who have done good is retributive theology.

We see an example of this OT way of thinking in the book of Job where Job's friends continually tell Job to repent because the Lord has brought these sufferings upon him because of his sin. But God said that Job did nothing to bring about this suffering, but used it as a test.

In the new testament we can see Jesus refuting retributive theology. In John 9, his disciples as him who sinned, him or his parents that he be born blind. Jesus's answer gives us a glipse of how much greater his plans are than ours. Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him" - John 9:3

The curse of sin has indeed been paid for by the blood of Jesus. Physical and psychological shortcomings are by no means a curse. They are used to show the perfect soveriegn will of God.

 

[PapaLandShark]

Hmmmm...This thread is reminding me that it is high time to read the book of Job.

 

[Velcro]

May I interrupt this discussion with some thoughts?

Perhaps it would be good to do a study on the word translated visit. I think these Scriptures need to be rethought-through. When the L-rd "visits" anyone in the Bible, I do not recall (although I could be wrong, because I have never done a study on visit or the Hebrew word this word comes from for this post) a single time when He does this for any reason other than for their good. Visit appears in the Bible to be to take care of a situation or a person.

When the L-rd visits the iniquity of the generations when they fall upon the next generation, He visits to see what He can do to help the new generation in spite of what has befallen them by the previous generations. The persons in that new generation are given opportunities to work out their salvation in spite of their inheritance. If the individuals in that new generation grasp those opportunities, the L-rd encourages them, provides the tools, guides them.

My next-older sister visited me this weekend. I look at her and see the beautiful, wonderful woman she is, and we both just marveled at what we had become, inspite of the influences in our lives. The L-rd saw the sins of our fathers when He visited them for us and saw that we were salvageable. He provided us opportunities, which we grasped, used, and rose upon. He does the same for each generation.

At the same time, we both know specific people coming out of the same situation who made choices that have been and are disastrous for both them and the children they have produced. When the L-rd visited their generation, He saw their choices and let them have what they had chosen.

I do not see what you have read as "generational curses," because they may be curses or blessings, depending upon the individual and that person's choices.

 

[Fat]

Hmmmm...This thread is reminding me that it is high time to read the book of Job.

Ha yes Job, a righteous man by Gods own words but ten of his seed were killed. Now were they cursed for being the seed of a righteous man or were they martyred? ( Just a thought )

 

[PapaLandShark]

Ha yes Job, a righteous man by Gods own words but ten of his seed were killed. Now were they cursed for being the seed of a righteous man or were they martyred? ( Just a thought )

In the same vein would it be considered a blessing or a curse to have God say to the Adversary "Have at...just don't kill him"?

My comment was more towards the contemplation of faith in the Lord through all.

 

[Fat]

In the same vein would it be considered a blessing or a curse to have God say to the Adversary "Have at...just don't kill him"?

My comment was more towards the contemplation of faith in the Lord through all.

Obviously the Lord knew of Job’s faith or he would not have agreed to the devils game. And of course Job did not know what great honor he was being shown by Gods trust in him.

What we might conceder a curse may be a blessing. Today we see Christians in North Africa being crucified and suffering unbearable physical and mental torture for their faith in our Lord. They will receive blessings from God that will last for eternity.

The book of Job is a window into the nature of our Lord and a reminder of how little we understand Him.

Thank you PapaLandShark

Fat

 

[JustinWindsor]

...shared some interesting thoughts. May I add something please? When the LORD visited someone it was to carry out His plan, according to His redemptive purposes, and to His Glory. The only 'good' that came to man, ultimately, was when the 'man' learned to trust God with his heart, mind, and obedience. Therein we find peace. When we learn to trust God in everything. He has taken care of the question of sin and limits what evil can do. His requirement from us? Love, and obedience. "If you love Me, you will obey Me."

Thanks for allowing me to interject.

May God Bless

 

[Velcro]

Indeed, JustinWindsor! Thank you!