Posted on: 25 Oct 2020
[Shri Anil asked: In the Old Testament (Exodus), it is written “You shall not bow down to them (idol) or worship them (idol); for 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.” Swami, I want to know why it is mentioned that God is ‘a jealous God’, in the above context? I also want to know why God is punishing the children for the sins of father to the 3rd and 4th generation? As per Your preaching, I understand that nobody will suffer for the sins of other people. Please clarify.]
Swami replied: Such statements are called arthavÄdas, which mean something told to encourage people to follow justice and to discourage them from following injustice. Souls only suffer for their own sins. Nobody suffers for others’ sins. Even if it appears that one is suffering for the sins of others, it only means that the one suffering also is undergoing the punishment of his own sins. Due to the punishment of one soul, if other souls suffer, as in the case of the child and its parents, it means that each of the three souls are suffering for their own sins. It is three birds in one shot, which is an intelligent arrangement in the administration of God. Every soul only suffers or enjoys for its own deeds. Unless the soul has committed some sin, no suffering comes to it.
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| Shri Datta Swami | Is God 'jealous'? Does He make the innocent children of disobedient people suffer? |