The Ten Commandments
Q21. What does God say about all these commandments?
He says: "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers 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."
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Exodus 20:5–6
“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
Deuteronomy 5:9–10
“Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does God say he will do to those who break his commandments?
- 2
What does God promise to those who keep his commandments?
- 3
Does this passage make you more afraid or more hopeful, and why?
Illustration
A father tells his children, "If you run into the road, there will be a consequence, because I love you too much to let you get hit by a car." The warning is not cruelty. It comes from love. But the consequence is real. God warns that he will punish sin across generations. He is not bluffing. His anger at sin is as real as his love for sinners.
Application
Read this passage again slowly with your family. Talk about how God's warning and God's promise both come from the same place: his perfect character. Ask God to give you a healthy fear of sin and a deep trust in his goodness.
Read Luther’s expanded teaching
From the Large Catechism (1529)