"What mean ye, that ye use .this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Ezek. 18:2).

The proverb which Ezekiel mentions is also found in Jeremiah 31:29. It obviously re­fers to the fact that the children will not suffer the guilt of the father's sins, but will suffer the consequences of such sins. Moses said long ago, "every man shall be put to for his own sin" (Deut. 24:16). So even though the children are not guilty of the sins of the fathers, they could, and most likely would, suffer as a result of the fathers having sinned. As  Jeremiah puts it, "the children's teeth are set on edge, because the fathers have eat­en sour grapes." Is there an application to be made of this today?

We cannot help but think how true this is today. The average parent wants what is best for his children, and no doubt desires that the child not suffer. But this same parent often fails to realize that as a result of his own sin, his children may suffer. The father refuses to earn a living - his children suffer. The man is a thief - his children suffer ridicule as a result, even though they be . These temporal examples are bad enough, but what about the spiritual aspect, even on the part of many members of the church.

Consider the parent who is negligent in his duty as a Christian. He does not at­tend the services of the church as he ought. He does not instruct his family in religious principles by insisting on a home study of the word of God. He probably feels a certain sense of guilt, but he also probably thinks he is the only one who will lose by such negligence. He is the man who says, "I know I should do such and such," but never does it. If you poing out that is soul is in danger, he promplty agrees and vaguely promises to "do something about it some day." Yes, he is eating "sour grapes" to be sure. but he needs to consider that his own soul is not the only one involved. His children are more than likely going to follow his example and as a result, their "teeth will be set on edge," suffering spiritually as a result of their father's negligence.

Consider the parent who will not discipline his children, afraid it will "confuse and frustrate" them. He is failing in his duty as a parent - eating "sour grapes." In the end the children will suffer. Solomon said, "A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame" (Pro. 29:15). True, as the child grows and commits sin, those sins will condemn him - not those of his parents. The parents! As a result he does not "turn out" like he ought to, winding up in front of some sterm judge who will discipline him.

Parents, stop and consider that your children are looking to you as an example; that they are likely to be to a greater extent like you are. Conduct  yourself as you ought; fulfill your duty to your children, whether it is rewarding or punishing them. Do not feast on "sour grapes" - unless you want to set your children's teeth on edge. - Bill Moseley

 

 

 

Ever notice how close some things are, and yet how far apart they are? For example, it occurs to me that all you have to do is add a "d" to "anger" and it becomes "danger." Or, when people ought to be "united," all at once because of some small matter, they become "untied?" All you have to do is turn a couple of letters around. And how about old Satan himself - all he did was add the little word "not" to what God had said to Adam and Eve (comp. Gen. 2:17 with 3:4).

And so it is with life itself, especially in our relationship with other people. It often does not take much to alienate the other fellow. Oh yeah, I know that maybe he's "too sensi­tive." But that alienation may not have taken place if you had just stopped to say "thank you, " or had not just ignored him. How much effort does it take to say "I'm sorry" if you have offended another?

Why is it that we have trouble with the "little things;" little things that have a way, if left unchecked or if we fail to do them, of turning into an avalanche of ill will that buries both ourselves and the other person? Lord help us to be aware of the "little things" in life that make so much difference one way or the other!

By the way - have I told all the brethren here at Taylors lately that I appreciate you one and all as brethren in Christ? Well - I do! - Bill Moseley