Through the Bible - Judges 4-5, Luke 8:4-39
Good morning,
Our pastor has been preaching a series entitled "Heart Attack" and has been dealing with various aspects of spiritual heart disease. This weekend, towards the end of the service asked about the word "entropy". It has to do with being careless and negligent, in this case, about the condition our spiritual hearts.
Over the weekend the Old Testament reading moved into the book of Judges. Joshua had passed away and without his leadership the nation drifted. Chapter 1 begins by talking of the continuing conquests in the land of Canann, but by the end of that chapter several tribes did not drive out their enemies. The NLT describes that the tribes of Asher and Naphtali were in fact "dominated" by the Canaanites. It showed what was the beginning of a downward spiral.
Today's verses tell a sad story about what had happened to the nation. They suffered "entropy" in the way they treated their relationship with God, to dire consequences.
Judg 2:10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.
11 The Israelites did evil in the Lord's sight and served the images of Baal. 12 They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the Lord. NLT
It's a sobering demonstration of what happens if a generation fails to teach their children of the God of their spiritual heritage. Something will fill the void, then and now it is idols of some type or form. The NLT gives a graphic description, they had "abandoned the Lord". What does it take? Just walk away.
Under Joshua's rule the people had revered and served the true God because Joshua kept the memories of God and His accomplishments alive. The next generation did not know God and turned their attention, their hearts elsewhere. They had not learned of Him from their parents. Finally, when they had come to rock bottom, God would bring judgement.
Where does the "teaching" start? You've heard "home is where the heart is", well maybe that it's at home where we learn where the heart is.
John Piper sums it up, "The three lessons for us that I want to draw out of this text are simple, but so needful. First, when the knowledge of God is preserved in a community, especially by those who have personally experienced God's power, faith is nourished and obedience flourishes. Second, if we parents allow our children to grow up without this knowledge of God, we serve not only their ignorance and unbelief, but also their destruction. Third, therefore it is the solemn duty of all parents to teach their children about God and his saving work, so that the next generation will know and be saved. Since the first two of these lessons lead to the last one, this is what I want to talk about mainly. It is God's will that parents assume responsibility to teach their children what God has revealed about himself. It is we parents who have the first and foremost responsibility to see that our children think correctly about God. The most important school a child should ever attend is the home. And the most influential theological teachers he should ever have are Mom and Dad."
If you are a parent consider where your family thinks your/their heart is. If you have young kids or are hoping to start a family, decide now what you will show them about your God. If you are a teenager and this is not being taught in your home, think of ways that you can bring about a change.
Think of the consequences to the tribes of Israel. Think of the consequences now and for the future in our country. Where do you see "entropy" today?
In Christ,
Mike
Judg 2:6-16
The Death of Joshua
6 After Joshua sent the people away, each of the tribes left to take possession of the land allotted to them. 7 And the Israelites served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the leaders who outlived him—those who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel.
8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. 9 They buried him in the land he had been allocated, at Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
Israel Disobeys the LORD
10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.
11 The Israelites did evil in the Lord's sight and served the images of Baal. 12 They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the Lord. 13 They abandoned the Lord to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth. 14 This made the Lord burn with anger against Israel, so he handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them. 15 Every time Israel went out to battle, the Lord fought against them, causing them to be defeated, just as he had warned. And the people were in great distress. NLT
6 After Joshua sent the people away, each of the tribes left to take possession of the land allotted to them. 7 And the Israelites served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the leaders who outlived him—those who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel.
8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. 9 They buried him in the land he had been allocated, at Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
Israel Disobeys the LORD
10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.
11 The Israelites did evil in the Lord's sight and served the images of Baal. 12 They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the Lord. 13 They abandoned the Lord to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth. 14 This made the Lord burn with anger against Israel, so he handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them. 15 Every time Israel went out to battle, the Lord fought against them, causing them to be defeated, just as he had warned. And the people were in great distress. NLT
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