Keep His commandments; and be not like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God. (Psalm 78:7-8)
Most of us can probably say that the lessons we learned from our parents and other ancestors are both good and bad. I admit there are attributes and strengths my parents displayed that I hope to emulate and pass on to my children. On the other hand, there were things about my parents, whom I dearly love, that I don’t want to replicate. I’m sure that when my children have children of their own, they’ll think the same of me. The point is, none of us are perfect, and therefore prone to do and say things we live to regret.
That’s one thing; but the words of the psalmist speak to an entirely different matter. The generation that left Egypt and traversed the wilderness took stubbornness and disobedience to a new level. Although they saw countless miracles, including a visitation from the Almighty at Sinai, their rebellious spirit was not subdued before God. Fear and a continual longing to return to things familiar consistently undermined any growth in their faith and belief that God would and could do what He promised. And so when they cried out that God had brought them and their children into the wilderness to kill them He said: “But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised” (Numbers 14:31).
With this in mind, we are reminded to be diligent to guard the commandments given to us by our Creator and to pass them onto to those who come after us that they be not like those who are stubborn and rebellious. Let us be a generation whose heart is set aright and may we walk in faithfulness to our God. Moreover, let’s be diligent to instruct our children and grandchildren in the ways of God that they may set their hope in Him, and not forget the works of God.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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