Legacy

In ancient Israel, there was a proverb that said, "The father eats sour grapes and the son's teeth are set on edge."  In other words, the sins of the father were passed down to the next generation.  The notion of original sin is based on this idea.

However, the prophet Ezekiel proclaimed, “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel.  For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child---both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die: (18:3-4).

The words of the prophet are clear in saying we are not guilty or responsible for the sins of our parents, that we do not inherit their legacy of wrong doing.  But that does not mean that the sins of the fathers and mothers do not visit their children, grandchildren and even beyond.  How so?

In a direct sense, a man who is a drunk is likely to mistreat his children, neglect them or scar them in any number of ways.  A woman who smokes heavily around the house and while taking her kids to school will not only destroy her own body, but will injure her children with second-hand smoke (I'm not suggesting that smoking is a deadly sin but it certainly has deadly consequences).  A chronic gambler may lose everything, bringing his children into unnecessary poverty.

In an indirect sense, the bad habits learned by a parent's children may be passed on to theirs.  In  the study of family systems, it is clearly seen where repeated manifestations of divorce or addiction or abuse are seen in multiple generations.

It becomes clear that what you do and how you live, does not necessarily end with you.  So, for those who say, "It's my life and I'll live it the way I want.  It's nobody else's business!"  Wrong!  If you  are a parent or ever will be a parent, it is not just your life - it is the life of your children and perhaps their children or beyond.

You are going to leave a legacy.  What's at question is whether is will be one that is life giving or death producing, healthy or diseased, productive or parasitic, faith affirming or faith affronting, uplifting or depressing.  What is the legacy you intend to leave to your children; what will you impart to the generations that follow you?  Jus' Ask'n.