This post is Day 8 in a series of studies about “Babies and Children”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study. Please click here to read it.

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Babies and Children – Day 8

God warned the children of Israel before they got to their promised land that their behaviour would affect the lives of their babies. All the way to their great grand-children and even further. That was followed by the promise of love to a thousand future generations, for those who obeyed.

Exodus 20:4-6

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 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 parents 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.

The Thought

God warned the children of Israel before they got to their promised land that their behaviour would affect not only their own lives. But that of their babies right through to their great grandchildren and further. That would be warning enough for me! Especially as it was followed by the promise of love to a thousand future generations, for those who obeyed.

God’s idea and plan has not changed. How sad it is today that some of us don’t recognise that the problems we have, are because of sin in a previous generation. All it needs is prayer to change that, and a commitment to Jesus so that we can really pray to Our Father in Heaven (Matthew 6:9). We then become members of His family!

Action

Praise God today that you have the right to call Him Father, and have been adopted into His family (Ephesians 1:5).

Read the ten commandments in Exodus 20. Think about the rules God lays down for His children. Many of us are baby Christians and have lots to learn. So don’t get fearful if you think you have broken them. Just pray for forgiveness, and help for tomorrow.

Dare to ask God if there are things such as idolatry in your family line, that you need to be cut off from. Ask a person of prayer to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17) and pray for you, breaking those unhealthy ties.

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