Deuteronomy 5: 9-10
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
I have come to the conclusion that God can be called a designer, as well as
an artist. To those who aren't familiar with designer/artist difference,
-a designer carefully plans elements to achieve an expected result for who is in the need of such results.
(like the function God gave us of our bodies, ecosystem, and universe. how it all has a balance and works continuingly like a clock keeping us alive and such) ,
-an artist conveys an idea or message out of his own will to a canvas,
usually ending with an aesthetic result. (like the beauty God gave the skies,
mountains, stars, the human body) in this case, God's canvas could be
thought of as a layer over the design of our bodies, skies, the beauty to the infrastructure.
I have always been taught to see this passage completely
literal. To believe that God would punish children for they're
fathers sins down to the fourth generation, with the same burdens.
But having my own mind now, I come to see such things in a different light.
With this passage I see God not only as a designer, an artist, (and many unlisted things) but also a poetic lover. I mean, think about it in
the perspective of an all-knowing father with an immeasurable love.
"Children avoid taking this path, for the consequences are so vast, even your children will recognize your lament and wish it weren't true"
Also later on God says,
"but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
I could see this as a loving father saying,
"For following me your joy will be so immense,
even generations after you will recognize your decision"
Take note this is only contemplation.
What do you guys think?
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
I have come to the conclusion that God can be called a designer, as well as
an artist. To those who aren't familiar with designer/artist difference,
-a designer carefully plans elements to achieve an expected result for who is in the need of such results.
(like the function God gave us of our bodies, ecosystem, and universe. how it all has a balance and works continuingly like a clock keeping us alive and such) ,
-an artist conveys an idea or message out of his own will to a canvas,
usually ending with an aesthetic result. (like the beauty God gave the skies,
mountains, stars, the human body) in this case, God's canvas could be
thought of as a layer over the design of our bodies, skies, the beauty to the infrastructure.
I have always been taught to see this passage completely
literal. To believe that God would punish children for they're
fathers sins down to the fourth generation, with the same burdens.
But having my own mind now, I come to see such things in a different light.
With this passage I see God not only as a designer, an artist, (and many unlisted things) but also a poetic lover. I mean, think about it in
the perspective of an all-knowing father with an immeasurable love.
"Children avoid taking this path, for the consequences are so vast, even your children will recognize your lament and wish it weren't true"
Also later on God says,
"but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
I could see this as a loving father saying,
"For following me your joy will be so immense,
even generations after you will recognize your decision"
Take note this is only contemplation.
What do you guys think?