This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings. Like sheep they are laid in the grave. (Psalm 49:13-14)
As was addressed in the previous devotion, it is foolish for anyone to think that building their own kingdom will endure the ages. As Messiah said, anything not built on His Word will eventually crumble and fall. Yet as the psalmist points out here, the foolish convince themselves otherwise because “this this their way” — they take no thought of their fate and, like senseless sheep, they foolishly continue down the road to destruction. Adding insult to injury, their wayward mindset and lifestyle is propagated through their offspring. The wicked foster a tradition of evil and foolish living that is transmitted to their children in such a way that wickedness and corruption is praised and replicated by ensuing generations.
When Scripture tells us that God visits “the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me” — is that to say God punishes the children and grandchildren for the sins of their fathers? That conclusion is hard to reconcile with the fact God also says, “Everyone shall die for his own iniquity” (Jeremiah 31:30). So how do we reconcile it? I would argue that when one generation creates an environment that fosters wickedness, it is extremely difficult for their children to recognize any other way to live. In other words, wickedness is their frame of reference and, as far as they know, it is appropriate to carry on the traditions of their father by passing it on to their children.
That idea brings me to this conclusion: it is incredibly important that God’s people present an authentic and righteous example to our children. If foolishness can be passed on to future generations, so can righteousness. Scripture tells us that Abraham was a man who would “command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice” (Genesis 18:19). We must do likewise so that our children will not go through life as foolish men and women, but rather, be people dedicated to obey His Word and bear witness to the resurrected Messiah. And so, let us embrace our sacred duty to foster an environment of Godliness in our homes that is absorbed by our offspring so that they may pass it on to future generations. As it is written, the Lord will show mercy to the thousandth generation “to those who love Me and keep My commandments” (Deuteronomy 5:10).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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