And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as did Manasseh his father; and Amon sacrificed unto all the graven images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them. And he humbled not himself before Jehovah, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon trespassed more and more. 2 Chronicles 33:22-23
King Amon followed his father Manasseh of Judah. Manasseh undid most of his father Hezekiah's reforms. Towards the end of his life, he humbled himself and sought to make right. One would hope that his son Amon would have seen the attempted correction carried out by his father. Amon could do right or wrong. However, only he would make that choice.
Our Choices Yield the Appropriate Result
Amon, was a free moral agent just like every man that ever lived. The prophet Ezekiel had to correct a common proverb that was said in Israel. The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge (cf. Ezekiel 18:2)? This proverb was insinuating that the sons of wicked men were being punished for the sins of their fathers. The prophet gives an instance in which a father is righteous, his son is unrighteous, and then his son is righteous. Ezekiel gave this as the answer to their false proverb, Yet say ye, Wherefore doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him (cf. Ezekiel 18:19-20). The choice is always the individual's; to say otherwise is to deny the Scripture.
Amon Had Adequate Information to Make the Right Choice.
The beauty of having free will is that we can weigh the facts and make a choice based on those facts. Amon, despite what his father did, could look at the Word of God and know what to do. He could look around at the example of his father and how he had done more evil than the nations whom Jehovah destroyed during the conquest of Canaan (cf. 2 Chron 33:9). He could see how his father went into captivity. He could see how later his father was restored and how it changed his perspective and action. Amon could see the examples, but the choice was solely his. Amon was not a victim of circumstance any more than any of us are. Amon was a grown man when he became king at 22 years of age. He was old enough to know what was right and what was wrong. Yet, Amon like the people of Judah, continued to sacrifice in the high places contrary to the Word of God (cf. 33:17).
We Have a Choice to Change our Family Tree or Maintain our Family Tree
It is true that many individuals do not grow up in the best circumstances. It is true that sins of individuals may have effects on their children. However, their sin is not our sin. Their sin does not condemn us. We make our own willful choice to sin against the God of Heaven and Earth and each of us will be judged according to the Word of Christ (Cf. John 12:48. Rom 3:23). We have an opportunity to change our family tree by the actions we take today and the examples we show.
In the end, it could go either way; not all children who have a righteous example will be faithful. Not all children who have an unrighteous example will be wicked. Each individual must make the choice for themselves. When we make the choice to serve the Lord and Him alone, we are making an investment, not only in ourselves, but in others. For servants of God will reveal their service to others in their Love of God and their neighbor. Their action, compassion, and zeal will show the mark of the Savior in all times. When this is the priority and example of the individual, future generations have a greater chance. We must provide examples through priorities, perseverance, and purpose; in all times, good and bad.
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
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