• Attitude check: Acts 17:22-34
  • Doesn’t Numbers 14:18 show that everyone is born inheriting the sin of their parents?
    • Similar statements occur four times in the Bible: Exodus 20:5; 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 5:9
    • Exodus 20:5-6
      • Context: Israelites fleeing Egypt with a shaky faith. God works miracles to build their faith. God makes a covenant with the people.
      • God was jealous for the Israelites, and he has every right to be!
    • Exodus 34:6-7
      • Context: Moses returns to Mount Sinai to replace the tablets of the law. God allows Moses to see His glory.
      • God wanted to show love and mercy, but the people sinned, separating them from God.
    • Numbers 14:18
      • Context: The twelve spies are sent to spy out Canaan. Only two say they can take the land. God wants to reject Israel and make a new nation from Moses.
      • Moses reminds God what He has said before and pleads with God to not destroy the people. God punishes only those who rebelled against Him.
    • Deuteronomy 5:9
      • Context: Recounting of the law of Moses and the story of the twelve spies.
      • None of the faithless generation would be allowed to enter the land, but the children would be allowed to go in.
    • Summary
      • God is jealous for devotion of His people – and has a right to be so.
      • God is patient and willing to forgive but will punish.
      • The soul that sins will be held accountable. Innocent people may sometimes have to deal with the physical consequences of their parents’ sins.