There arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD
And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10 KJV)
When Joshua and Caleb died, along with all those who had seen the miracles the LORD performed for Israel to occupy the promised land, a generation of Israelites sprung up that did not know the LORD nor had experienced the miracles and wars of Canaan. The word “know” here does not merely mean having information about the LORD. This generation, the children of the generation of Joshua, certainly knew about God. They had not experienced Him, or had the sort of relationship with Him their fathers had.
What happened? It is the same thing that continues to happen today with you and me. Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun. The fathers failed to hand the most precious thing they had to their children, which was the healthy relationship with the LORD. The LORD expects every generation to pass along what He had committed to them to the next generation. This is what He said of Abraham “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD” (Genesis 18:19 KJV).
Could you have believed the LORD pays so much attention on how we raise our children, biological or spiritual? He wants to see successive generations continue and progress in the relationship prior generations had with Him.
MEDITATE
What are some of the reasons why the generation that followed the Joshua generation did not know the LORD?
APPLY THE WORD
Failure to properly train and guide biological or spiritual children is a major reason why spiritual treasures are lost from one generation to another. A related reason is that all of us turn to grow spiritually cold in the midst of prosperity. Children born to parents that had suffered often enter into the rest the parents worked hard for. How prosperity corrupts our hearts and often creates a dangerous complacency if we are not careful! Think of what you are handing down to the next generation!
PRAY
Ask the Father to help you transmit spiritual virtues and treasures to the next generation whether your biological, adoptive or spiritual children.
Understanding the Trinity Through our Humanity
Deshen Live Bible Study
Free Mini E-book: From Spiritual Dryness to Flourishing
