Judges 2:7-13 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. 8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old. 9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash. 10 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. 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: 12 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. 13 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
God has done marvelous things for the nation of Israel. He has delivered them from Egyptian bondage through the instrumentality of ten supernatural plagues via a miraculous route through the midst of the Red Sea on dry ground. Even if you believe the un-biblical tenant that they passed through the Reed Sea which was a marsh with only four inches of water, God's hand is clearly seen in the drowning of the Egyptian army, horses and men, in four inches of water! God's miraculous care for Israel was not abated by their unbelief as God provided bread from heaven, water from the rock, and clothing that did not wear out during the forty year trek in the wilderness. God's hand can be clearly seen in Israel's conquest of Canaan from the crumbling walls of Jericho to the crossing of the flooded Jordan on dry ground. Time and time again God demonstrated His care for Israel as He gives them victory over their enemies on every side. Sadly, after all God has done for Israel, there arises a generation that doesn't know God nor the works of God. These quickly turn from worshiping the true God to the worship of the gods of the people they have conquered. So begins the record of the continual oppression of Israel and the most absurd actions in the book of Judges.
We find here an important lesson for us today. Those of us who are first generation Christians like Joshua and the elders of Israel can remember God's hand upon our lives. We remember when God in mercy saved us, delivering us from the bondage of sin and our own sinful nature. We remember the battles to overcome deeply entrenched sinful habits. We remember God's miraculous interventions in our marriages, families, and even in leading us to biblical churches. For us our faith in Christ is priceless. If we are not careful our children growing up with the inherent benefits of a Christ-centered home and Christ-centered church may not see the value of those things. Christianity may become one of many equally valid choices if we are not careful. We cannot afford to repeat Israel's mistake of settling down with the Canaanites. We must be constantly seeking the advancement of God's kingdom through the proclaiming of the Gospel for the conversion of the lost. We must yield ourselves to the sanctifying power of God's word continually that this generation might see the works of God. If we are faithful stewards of the Gospel, God's works will continually be seen in people converted and changed by the power of God. This will keep seceding generations from trading the pearl of great price for a nugget of fool's gold.
Daily Devotional: I John 1-2 Walking in the Light
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