Proverb About Fathers

The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.

This proverb about fathers and sons, was held in Israel long ago. An end was also put to it by Father God. First, our minds are drawn to the prophecy which God has given to Prophet Jeremiah concerning this proverb. Almighty, pardoning God has spoken of His will and desire for His children, His called and chosen, the people of Israel.

He has made it known that as their God and Father, who dearly loves His children, this is what He will do. In the same way, because of His deep love for them, He has punished them for their gross disobedience, insolence and stubborn idolatry, He will be no different in praise and prosperity, when they repent. God has openly promised and publicly pronounced this word, through the prophet. I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the LORD. In those days they shall say no more: The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. Jeremiah 31: 28b – 29.

We note this same false proverb being spoken of by God to Prophet Ezekiel, when the word of the LORD came to him. We shall spend a bit of time with what is spoken of in Ezekiel 18. Listen to God’s word and command to His children, given through His servant Ezekiel.

The word of the LORD came to me again, saying, What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? As I live, says the Lord GOD, you shall no longer use that proverb in Israel. Ezekiel 18: 1 – 3.

This idea and notion of children paying for the sins of their fathers is still in the heads of many, believers and non-believers alike. Somehow, in his sly, deceitful, scheming way, the wicked, disingenuous deceiver has managed to keep people bound to what is a present lie. In his devious and dubious way, Satan, the enemy, has used the very good Scripture, to twist, thwart and make it sound as though children will be punished severely for the sins of their fathers, including their forefathers.

I personally know this to be true, that this saying is held as gospel by some people. There is a young man who refuses to believe that this curse, of children suffering for their father’s sins is not what Father God wants us to believe. Even as I write this article, I know that he is not the only person who carries this unbearable, burdensome and hope-stealing devilish lie, within him.

What about you? Whether or not you carry this misunderstanding of truth, may this week be one of pure grace, hope and assurance about God’s will for all. May you come to a, once-and-for-all staying and saving knowledge, through Spirit-guided wisdom, to make you fully free of the downright, outright, untruth of that saying. May Father God’s parental, precious love for all His children, you, me and everyone, so fill us, that our hearts and minds will be revived and refreshed through His ever abiding Spirit. 

When we listen with fresh attentive ears to the word and command of Father God to His children, as given through His prophet Ezekiel, we are straightway brought to this stark reality. God, our Father in heaven, does not want such a saying to be ever used among His children.

Will you accept this truth? Will you believe it in spite of popular disagreements and dissensions? Believe your heavenly Father for He never ever errs. As the days of this special week move on, so may your faith and trust in the One Wise and Just Father God, move on in growth spurts.