THE REST OF THE STORY

READING: EXODUS 20:1-6

Verse 5: “...I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.”

There are times when people inadvertently entertain misconceptions about God as the result of the use of fragments of scripture. For example, conclusions are sometimes reached regarding the verse above, that are entirely inaccurate. That can happen when what comes next in God’s word on the topic, is omitted or not considered. The statement about jealousy and passing on iniquity is followed by another extremely important statement. The second part of the verse limits the consequences described only to those who hate Him. A very different destiny awaits those who don’t hate Him. Verse 6 informs us that He shows mercy to thousands to those who love and obey Him. Deuteronomy 7:9 goes even further. It tells us that He is the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him. Three of four generations of iniquity resulting from hate, and 1,000 generations of covenant and mercy resulting from love. The contrast which is established by the fuller review of God’s word clearly shows that the heart of God is not a heart of jealousy and retribution. It is a heart of powerful and enduring love. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How is God’s jealousy different from human jealousy?

2. The Bible makes a promise that is good for 1,000 years. What does that tell us about the future?