Today’s Reading: Judges 2
They started out so well!
Under Joshua’s leadership, the
people of Israel had committed themselves to fear
God, worship Him in total commitment, shun idols, follow the commandments, and
serve only the LORD. Joshua had even
given them a clear choice – serve God or serve the false gods of the society
around them. They chose the LORD! Even after Joshua’s death, the very first
thing they did was to inquire of the LORD, seeking His wisdom and guidance for
their nation. The people worshipped God throughout
the lifetime of Joshua and the time of the leaders who survived him, leaders
who had been in on all of God’s
great work that he had done for Israel. It
all seemed to be going so well.
Eventually that entire generation died and was buried. Then another generation
grew up that didn’t know anything of God or the work He had done for
Israel. And that’s when it all came
crashing down! The younger generation
strayed from their commitment to God and began a downward progression toward apostasy. They began to do
evil. They served the Baal-gods and the
Ashtarte-goddesses. They deserted God
and their parents. They took up the worship of the “gods” of the people around
them. At eventually, their true God, Yahweh,
was provoked to anger. So much so, that
He removed His hand of protection from them and they became helpless before
their enemies.
Thus begins a cycle
of faith-deteriorating-to-apostasy that would repeat itself within the Nation
for the next 400 years. And it all seems to begin with a “new generation” that
didn’t know anything about the LORD or His relationship with Israel. Somewhere along the way, the parents and
grandparents failed to impart to their children the truth of God. So, the children grew up being influenced by
the cultural “norms” of the society around them. Rather than “bringing them up in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4), the parents allowed the influences
of the world to get into their children’s souls and minds. The results of this are predictable – they
end up going after “other gods” and bowing down to them and worshipping
something – or someone – other than the LORD.
It has been said, “We
cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for their education, and be
surprised when they come home as Romans” (Pastor Voddie Baucham). The
society around us will influence our children and, if we’re not diligent, will
lead them away from God. Oh, how
important it is for each generation to protect their children from the secular
influences of the society around them.
Failure to do so can lead to a course of action that ultimately leads to
spiritual defeat.
The enemy is after our children and we must stand in his way!
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