When a generation knows not God ∙
The people of Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him – those who had personally experienced all that the LORD had done for Israel. – Joshua 24:31
Judges 21:25 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.
The 18th century was one of the most extraordinary chapters in the development of Western civilization. Extraordinary individuals possessing a deep understanding of human behavior, historical context, and the foundations for a stable, enduring Republic rose to positions of power and influence. In 1788, the nascent American states debated ratifying the new US Constitution. The fact that individuals from so many disparate backgrounds and dispositions could join together and create such a document was considered by many nothing less than a divine act of Providence. George Washington made several salient observations worthy of consideration in the 21st century.
“It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the Delegates from so many different States . . .. should unite in forming a system of national Government, so little liable to well-founded objections” (Washington).
“We are not to expect perfection in this world; but mankind, in modern times, have apparently made some progress in the science of government” (Washington)
“No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass” (Washington).
It was a remarkable time when most of these individuals firmly believed in the existence of a providential, creator God. They believed He had brought them to the present hour and given them victory over the strongest military power on earth at the time, Great Britain.
But what happens when the people of a nation collectively forget the God of the Bible? Sadly, this happened many times in the history of the nation of Israel.
Joseph, one of Jacob’s twelve sons, found himself in a tough situation as a prisoner in the land of Egypt. Yet the Father was with Joseph and gave him exceptional abilities, brilliance, and character. Joseph rose to the top and became second in command to Pharaoh. Through his leadership, Egypt and the emergent nation of Israel were saved from death by famine, paving their way to prosperity. Eventually, at the age of 130, Joseph’s life ended (Genesis 50:26).
Exodus 1:6-7
6 In time, Joseph and all of his brothers died, ending that entire generation.
7 But their descendants, the Israelites, had many children and grandchildren. In fact, they multiplied so greatly that they became extremely powerful and filled the land.
Soon, a shadow of intolerance spread across the land of Egypt. Anti-Semitism was on the rise, and harsh treatment of the children of Israel was commenced. When God is forgotten, so are the people associated with His name.
Exodus 1:8-10
8 Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done.
9 He said to his people, “Look, the people of Israel now outnumber us and are stronger than we are.”
10 “We must make a plan to keep them from growing even more. If we don’t, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country.”
Exodus 1:11-14
11 So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king.
12 But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became.
13 So the Egyptians worked the people of Israel without mercy.
14 They made their lives bitter, forcing them to mix mortar and make bricks and do all the work in the fields. They were ruthless in all their demands.
The situation rapidly deteriorated, going from bad to worse. A program aimed at systematic extermination was set in motion. Pharaoh’s resolution was grim: the death of all newborn male Hebrew children.
Exodus 1:15-22
15 Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah:
16 “When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.”
17 But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.
22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live.”
That scheme did not work out too well either. The Father providentially saved Moses from certain death at the hands of Pharaoh. The rest, as they say, is history.
REFLECT & PRAY
Proverbs 14:34 Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Father thank You for your providential work and intervention in human history. Guide each child of the King in how they respond to the present hour.
INSIGHT
Tragically, the nation of Israel itself forgot the God of the Bible soon after they entered the Promised Land. Under the leadership of Joshua and Caleb, the people took possession of the Promised Land. The angel of the Lord led Joshua to victory (Joshua 5). The promise of the Father was fulfilled. This generation of Israelites knew and worshiped the true God, the Father. They had seen His miraculous work that freed them from slavery. This was Israel’s “the Greatest Generation.” But when that generation died out, their faith in God was not followed by those who came after them. By the end of the book of Judges, the people had forgotten the God of the Bible.
Judges 21:25 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.
The people of Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him – those who had personally experienced all that the LORD had done for Israel. (Joshua 24:31).
Jeremiah 2:11 Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!
During the 20th century, numerous countries worldwide witnessed the emergence of generations that did not know the Bible’s God. Germany was among these nations. In his book “When a Nation Forgets God,” Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer r tells the story of what happened.
“Erwin Lutzer asks . . . What happens to the nation that forgets God? Using the history of Nazi Germany as his canvas, Lutzer brilliantly illustrates a critically important truth. Just as nature abhors a vacuum, a culture which drives every vestige of God from the marketplace of ideas inevitably finds it has sown seeds that it will reap in the whirlwind” (Frank Wright, President & CEO, National Religious Broadcasters).
Many of the things that unfolded in Nazi Germany are eerily similar to events occurring today. As the 20th century dawned, Germany bore remarkable similarities to the United States at the onset of the 21st century. Despite their rich culture and formidable military power, the German people were demoralized and diminished by warfare. The nation was thrust into a period of uncertainty and turbulence. Unthinkable political shifts occurred. Society plunged into darkness.
Consider several of Lutzer’s observations from the book:
- The broader welfare of Germany overshadowed individual liberties and the right to dissent.
- When the economy was robust, concerns over freedoms such as speech, travel, or electoral rights seemed secondary to many.
- Given an option, the majority prioritized basic necessities like food over personal freedoms.
- Treason was defined as anything contrary to the will and purpose of the Reich.
- The best way to conquer your enemies is to divide them.
- Political leadership tapped into the anger of the German people.
- Propaganda was utilized to disrupt the existing state of affairs.
- Before long, facts did not matter.
- Lies and intimidation silenced opposition.
- The cross of Christ was distorted and diminished when wrapped in the flag of a political party.
- Churches did not have enough room for both the cross and the swastika.
- Emotional appeals often proved stronger than rational arguments.
- Warning signs were disregarded because people wanted to believe in something so strongly. It did not matter whether it was a lie or not.
Could it be that the Father is sending a warning to the children of the King? Is He speaking to us through the stories in the Scriptures and also modern-day events? Are we on the brink of a terrifying, monstrous future that most do not wish? What should the children of the King do?
We are to follow the example of the sons of Issachar.
1 Chronicles 12:32 From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take
Paul provides sufficient warning and practical advice.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.
5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.
6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.
11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The greatest tyrannies are always perpetuated in the name of the noblest causes” (Thomas Paine).
“It is when a people forget God, that tyrants forge their chains” (Patrick Henry).
Could it be that even the most remarkable civilizations are “always one generation away from paganism” (Roger Ellsworth)?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 10-15-1
© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 