Exodus 20

But first of all I love this quote from Origen: "Everyone who lives according to Jesus' teaching rises to a friendship with God and communion with him" (Origen, AD 185-254). A lot of people wonder at some of the things he believed and his technique for interpreting scripture but one can admire his faith. He was truly a man of God.

Exodus 20 is where we see the long version of the ten commandments. Some have called them the ten words. Yet here God gives great pain to explain the ones that refer to our relationship to Him. This is so good.

The last five are self explanatory: kill, adultery, steal, lie, covet.

God says in 20:5 that he punishes the descendants of sinners to the fourth generation. But (20:6) in contrast be blesses those who love him (and therefore stay righteous) to the thousandth generation. Forever seems to be implied here. Who can imagine 1,000 generations? One wonders how this is possible. If one generation is disobedient then the next generation is obedient, how can this work?

Better is the prophet's wonderful parable. Was is Ezekiel who write: "If I eat something sour do the lips of my son pucker?" No of course not. So God will requite each person according to his deeds.

Can both things be sort of true. The children of righteous, obedient parents certain have a better chance of doing well, going straight themselves. On the other hand the children of those who act immorally, stealing, drinking, acting irresponsibly have a much worse start in life. Unfortunately they are much more likely to act like their parents. From my experience working with prisoners I cringe at the descriptions of their home lives growing up. This is not to excuse them. Many who had similar experiences did not get into crime. It is still a choice. Yet these men, because of the sins of their family, had a much harder life and their chances were much less than those who came from people who obeyed the ten commandments.