NOT KNOWING THE LORD

The present generation may not understand how the fighters fought for independence because they did not experience it directly in their lives. However, they can understand if the elders who experienced the struggle are willing to tell stories, teach, or introduce that history to them.

Besides Moses, Joshua was someone greatly respected by the people of Israel. Joshua became a role model in following the Lord and a leader who led the people of Israel into the land of Canaan. As long as Joshua and the elders were alive, the people of Israel lived in obedience to the Lord. They had personally experienced the great works of the Lord during the final journey towards and upon entering the land of Canaan.

However, the generation after Joshua and the elders no longer knew the Lord. They may have seen Joshua's generation worshiping the Lord, but they did not truly understand it. They did not receive teachings, so what they saw did not lead them to know the Lord. As a result, they eventually abandoned the Lord and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths, bringing about the anger of the Lord and disasters upon them.

How is our knowledge of the Lord? Are we busy worshiping and serving without a true understanding of the Lord and His word? Let us continue to know His character through His word, be sensitive to His guidance every day, and introduce Him to our children so that we and our descendants do not fall into all the temptations of this world to leave the Lord. --ANT/www.renunganharian.net