“I think I am going to make the Alabama Crimson Tide my favorite team.” Perhaps no statement could make a Tennessee man’s heart sink quite as fast as hearing his son make such a proclamation. Where did I go wrong? He was only 6, and has since grown out of that idea (thankfully). As funny as that may seem to some whose blood does not run Orange, the book of Judges contains a similar, but far more important warning.
“… and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10). After making it to the promised land, after one victory after another, after all the blessings the Lord had given them, they turned. Only one generation removed from Jericho, Ai, and Joshua’s grand speech on serving God, Israel did not know God. How could this be? How can Godly parents raise up ungodly children? There are at least two reasons:
First, they did not listen to the generation before them. Moses had warned them (Deuteronomy 6). Joshua had warned them (Joshua 24). But, what could they have known about raising kids in a modern day, right? Parents should seek the wisdom and experience of those who are older. Kids are the same. Temptations are the same. Sin is the same. The cure for sin is still the same. Sure, Satan packages it up differently. But how to deal with raising them is the same. The Bible is full of passages that show the importance of looking to grandparents and others who are older for parenting help (2 Timothy 1:5; Psalm 145:4; Ecclesiastes 12:11; Titus 2).
Second, they did not teach the generation following them. Specifically, notice what Moses tells them in Deuteronomy 6. He says to put God’s word in your heart, live a good example, and teach. Who is he telling this to? The Priests? The Prophets? The Levites? The answer is … to parents (fathers especially). Your most important job is to teach your children, lest they forget about God.
We often say the church is only one generation away from apostasy. The book of Judges reminds us that is more than just “an old saying.” Wise parents will not only listen, but will also seek the guidance and help of those older than them. Wise parents will realize their most important job, bar none, is to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Judges 2:11 says they did evil and served idols. If we do not raise our children properly, who knows how our children may turn out. They may do evil, serve idols … or even yell, “Roll Tide!” So teach them God’s word diligently! After all, “He needs brave Volunteers,”!
