“There arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10).
Introduction
We live in a day that resembles ancient Israel. They had seen out-pourings of God’s grace, and miracles each step of the way from Egypt to the Promised Land. They had seen great victories over enemies mightier than themselves. There have been wonderful works of God in the British Isles too. The Lord used John Wycliffe to translate the Bible into English. We have experienced revivals through such men as John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, D. L. Moody, Duncan Campbell, Evan Roberts and others. God looked favourably on this land, but there is now a generation that knows next to nothing about the Creator and Saviour of the world.
Knowledge of God
They did not know God. They probably heard about the great things God had done for their forefathers, but they relegated that to history and myth. Having a head knowledge of Bible facts is not the same as knowing God personally. They knew nothing of a close relationship with the Lord, and so would have been mystified by the stories about Abraham, Moses and Joshua. Because “Every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6), they had no room for God. No doubt they mocked those who believed in the Almighty and His love, mercy and goodness as they paraded their abomination on the streets. They had forgotten Him because they had laid aside His word. They lived as though God did not exist.
Why did they not know God?
Joshua had died, “And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel” (Judges 2:7) … “And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel” (Joshua 24:31), so maybe they thought they could throw off all restraints and do as they pleased.
Joshua, as leader of the nation, was responsible for teaching and enforcing God’s Law, “Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day … Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God” (Joshua 23:6-8, 11). It seems that there was no one godly enough to lead Israel after the death of Joshua. He had honoured the Lord right from the beginning of his administration until the time of his death, “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:14-15). The people vowed to honour God just as Joshua had taught them, “And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods … And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey” (Joshua 24:16, 24). How quickly they forsook the Lord! “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth” (Judges 2:11-13). They rejected God’s word, “And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so” (Judges 2:17). All were ready for judgement, “And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice” (Judges 2:20).
What about today?
Where are the men of God who are willing to stand up, speak out and call the nation to repentance? The leaders of the state churches are liberal at best and at worst followers of the “Father of lies” (see John 8:44), so we cannot expect spiritual leadership from them. There are very few pastors and preachers who refuse to compromise with the world and false religion. If the situation is so bad now, what is it going to be like in the next generation? “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17). No wonder we need another mighty move of God.
Parents, as well as church leaders are responsible for nurturing the next generation of believers in this land. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) … “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). We need a generation of people whose consciences are guided by God’s word rather than the standards of the world. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2).
Conclusion
We live in a world where everyone is guided by what they believe to be right. Few know anything about the God of the Bible; fewer still understand what having a personal relationship with Christ entails. It has only taken a few decades to find our own land drowning in godlessness, swamped by false religion and controlled by corrupt politicians. “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). We, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are responsible for stemming the rot in our society. Will we be known as the generation that brought revival to our land? Will we be known as the generation who forsook God by turning our backs upon His word and by living as we please? “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
© 8/2/2008