Topical Bible: Parents: Curses Entailed

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In the biblical narrative, the concept of curses entailed by parents is a significant theme that underscores the generational impact of sin and disobedience. The Bible presents various instances where the actions of parents bring about consequences that affect their descendants, highlighting the importance of righteousness and obedience to God's commandments.

The Fall and Its Consequences

The origin of curses entailed by parents can be traced back to the Fall of Man in Genesis. Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden resulted in a curse that affected not only themselves but all of humanity. Genesis 3:16-19 describes the curses pronounced by God: pain in childbirth for Eve and toil and hardship for Adam. This foundational event set a precedent for the generational impact of sin.

The Curse of Ham

In Genesis 9:20-25, Noah's son Ham dishonors his father, leading to a curse pronounced by Noah upon Ham's son, Canaan. "Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers" (Genesis 9:25). This passage illustrates how the actions of a parent can result in a curse that affects future generations, emphasizing the importance of honoring one's parents and maintaining familial respect.

The Sins of the Fathers

The concept of the sins of the fathers affecting subsequent generations is further explored in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:5 states, "You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me." This passage highlights the principle that the spiritual and moral failures of parents can have repercussions for their descendants.

Achan's Sin

In Joshua 7, the sin of Achan serves as a poignant example of how a parent's disobedience can bring about a curse on their family. Achan's theft of forbidden items during the conquest of Jericho led to Israel's defeat at Ai and ultimately resulted in the death of Achan and his family. This narrative underscores the communal and familial consequences of individual sin.

David's Household

King David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah brought about a series of calamities within his own household. Nathan the prophet declared, "Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife" (2 Samuel 12:10). The turmoil and strife that plagued David's family, including the rebellion of Absalom, illustrate the enduring impact of a parent's sin.

Generational Curses and Redemption

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of generational curses, it also offers hope for redemption and restoration. Ezekiel 18:20 declares, "The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, nor will a father bear the iniquity of his son." This passage emphasizes personal responsibility and the possibility of breaking free from the cycle of sin through repentance and faithfulness to God.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of curses entailed by parents serves as a sobering reminder of the far-reaching consequences of sin. It calls believers to a life of obedience, righteousness, and reverence for God, recognizing the profound impact their actions can have on future generations.

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Exodus 20:5
You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
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Leviticus 20:5
Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit prostitution with Molech, from among their people.
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Isaiah 14:20
You shall not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land, and slain your people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.
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Jeremiah 9:14
But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:
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Lamentations 5:7
Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.
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Ezekiel 16:44
Behold, every one that uses proverbs shall use this proverb against you, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.
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Ezekiel 45:1
Moreover, when you shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, you shall offer an oblation to the LORD, an holy portion of the land: the length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be ten thousand. This shall be holy in all the borders thereof round about.
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Library

Responsibilities of the Christian Home.
... punishment will be in proportion to the wretchedness entailed upon your ... his eyes,
wild with despair and ominous of curses, upon the parents, and ascribes ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter vii responsibilities of the.htm

The Mission of the Christian Home.
... that the wickedness of the parent is entailed upon the ... Oh, if you are loving, faithful
parents, you will love ... against you, and pour down its curses upon your ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter ii the mission of.htm

The Fifth Commandment
... Upon whom is this blessing of long life entailed, but obedient children? ... Some parents
use imprecations and curses to their children, which provoke ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 5 the fifth commandment.htm

The Second Commandment
... of Gehazi's children, who had leprosy entailed upon them ... fathers upon their children;'
but religious parents procure a ... All the plagues and curses in the book of ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

The Gladness of the Man of Sorrows
... good, which is one of the delights entailed on all ... wrath taking upon himself all
the curses which fell ... and thy sisters; born of the same parents they watched ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the gladness of the man.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... as I think, I should, should I have entailed their punishment ... a child for hell is
sad for parents to think ... that his father had, could escape these curses of his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

The Fourth Commandment
... Either superiors, and they are, more private, as parents and masters; or ... God curses
a man's blessings. ... it that shall have so many blessings entailed upon him ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 4 the fourth commandment.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... of themselves at the blowing of the brazen trumpets,* and its capture entailed that
of ... He curses the people of Meroz in passing, "because they came not to the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... This is seen in the service of subjects to their princes, the service of servants
to their lords, and the service of children to their parents. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... And this punishment is so surely entailed to the transgressions that we who believe
shall commit, that it is impossible that we should be utterly freed ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm