A Capricious Judge
“You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” Amos 3:2 NASB
Punish – Consider the difficulties created by translating paqad with the word “punish” in this verse. The translation makes you think either 1) God has decided to punish Israel because He has chose Israel, and there’s nothing Israel can do about it, or 2) God will punish Israel but, by implication, not bother with the sins of other nations simply because of God’s election. In either case, it would be much better not to be part of Israel. And in either case, it certainly appears that God is capricious, choosing to punish Israel just because He elected Israel. Tell me, truthfully, is this the kind of God you want to serve?
This word, paqad, is the same notorious word found in Exodus 34:7. The verse in Exodus seems to create the same ethical problem. Does God actually visit the iniquities of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generation? Certainly there are many who think so. They espouse the idea of generational curses; punishment to the innocent because of the sins of prior generations. This idea is central to the Greek notion of justice, but the prophets seem to repute it, claiming that no one is punished for another person’s sins. So what is really going on here? Does God really punish Israel simply because He chose Israel? Does He pass judgment on children simply because their fathers were wicked? The problem is paqad.
“There is probably no other Hebrew verb that has caused translators as much trouble as pqd” (Speiser, BASOR 149:21)[1] TWOT asserts, “The basic meaning is to exercise oversight over a subordinate, either in the form of inspecting or of taking action to cause a considerable change in the circumstances of the subordinate, either for the better or for the worse.”[2] The decision to translate paqad in the context of punishment is not warranted by the word alone. What if God is saying through Amos, “I have chosen you, Israel, and therefore I will oversee all your iniquities”? In other words, God will make a most careful inspection of His chosen family, not necessarily to punish them but rather to bring them into alignment with His purpose. If this means correction, so be it. But if it means blessing, then mazel tov. God cares—desperately. And since He cares, He will do what is necessary to oversee His family.
Generational curses? No, I don’t think so. Does that mean there are no consequences for the children? Of course not! There are always consequences. But God is not the active agent in the inevitable extensions of cause and effect chains. In fact, He watches over all these connections to be sure that they bring about His purposes, not simply the automatic outcomes of prior disobedience.
Topical Index: paqad, consequence, generational curse, punish, Amos 3:2, Exodus 34:7
[1] Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. 1999 (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (731). Chicago: Moody Press.
[2] Ibid.
Words Do Matter
The Carrot and the Stick
~ because the Lord disciplines (paideuó) the one He loves, and He “chastens” everyone He accepts as His son.”
or
~ For the LORD disciplines those He loves, and He “punishes” each one He accepts as His child.
Shall we?
paideúō (from 3816 /país, “a child under development with strict training”) – properly, to train up a child (3816 /país), so they mature and realize their full potential (development). This requires necessary discipline (training), which includes administering chastisement (punishment).
~ Discipline (can you see the word disciple?) Your children while there is hope. – Otherwise you will ruin their lives.
(Whoa!) Tough Love
~ Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. (Proverbs 13.24)
Is this punishment not more related to preparing and restoring than punitive measures? As His sons have a tough task to do…
Paqad has give me similar pause. “Visit” isn’t a good fit either. I agree that “watches” is best. I believe God watches us to see if we will commit the same sins as our forefathers. If and when we do, He’s there to discipline us and bring us back into conformity with His Torah.
This is comforting to hear. Thanks Skip.
The church and even our society seem to accept the notion that we will have the same sins our fathers and grandfather’s struggled with. We seem to default to them out of habit.
I think it is in captivating our thoughts to the obedience of Christ that we can break away from sinful generational patterns and develop a godly heritage. God has given us everything in His Word to be intentional about living in freedom in spite of our family mistakes. We pray our children will do the same about our mistakes.
…Seems this is the same message as “from everyone who has been given much, much will be required (Luke 12:48, NASB).”
“But, once in a while, can’t you choose someone else (Fiddler on the Roof)?”
Being set apart by God for special purposes and thus being subjected to His special “watching” is most painful indeed.”
I really like the image here. It more that of a God who loves and watched his children in order to redirect them back to his paths, as opposed to an angry and vengeful overlord who is just waiting to pounce whenever we make a mistake. perhaps it’s a redirection of my perception, too; One that is being reframed.
פָּקַד pagad- Brings to mind Psalms 23-
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.-NLT
YHWH guards, supports, pays attention to me, and watches over me, intervening either in protecting or, disciplining me should I turn from His ways! Amein!