In our scriptures for today, we see God's people in exile in Babylonia. Their holy city has been ravaged and their lives have been turned upside down and inside out. They are in a foreign land surrounded by other gods and have begun to wonder if God, the one true God, still remembers them or cares about them. And if He does remember them, and care about them, is He able to take care of them? Is He able to protect them? After years of existing in this situation, the people have decided that it's just not their fault. They are being punished for the sins of their forefathers. The popular saying of that time was "The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge." meaning that the current uncomfortable situation they are in, is their father's fault and they are blameless. God is being unfair because it's just not their fault.
But is it? Is God being unfair in punishing these innocent. blameless exiles? Well, let's get right to it!
In our scriptures for today, we see God's people in exile in Babylonia. Their holy city has been ravaged and their lives have been turned upside down and inside out. They are in a foreign land surrounded by other gods and have begun to wonder if God, the one true God, still remembers them or cares about them. And if He does remember them, and care about them, is He able to take care of them? Is He able to protect them? After years of existing in this situation, the people have decided that it's just not their fault. They are being punished for the sins of their forefathers. The popular saying of that time was "The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge." meaning that the current uncomfortable situation they are in, is their father's fault and they are blameless. God is being unfair because it's just not their fault.
But is it? Is God being unfair in punishing these innocent. blameless exiles? Well, let's get right to it!