Today’s reading is Joshua 15-Judges 3
Scripture
Joshua 21:45 Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
Judges 2:10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel
Judges 3:7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.
Observation
The LORD fulfilled every one of His promises to Israel. And yet, they turned from him and worshipped other gods.
Judges 2:10 tells us that an entire generation grew up that did not know the Lord or what he had done for Israel. How is this possible?
- They failed to follow the command set forth in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. It was their responsibility to store God’s word in their own hearts and to ensure that their children were taught the same. A generation that does not hear about the commands, promises, and provision of the Lord is unlikely to revere the Lord.
- They failed to follow the command set forth in Deuteronomy 6:19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the LORD said. After Joshua died, the Israelites were satisfied to subdue their enemies, rather than destroy them. Whether out of carelessness, laziness, or cowardice, they were willing to let the Canaanites live among them. The Canaanites continued their idolatry, while living in the midst of them, and the Israelites ALLOWED it. As the old saying goes, “When you run with the dogs, you get the fleas.”
Application
Today’s reading reminds me of the importance of being diligent in not only teaching my children, but of being a living example in front of them. The most important school my children should ever attend is home. Children learn from example, and they model what they see. Most values are caught, not taught, so my kids need to see me demonstrating devotion to the Lord. My kid’s need to see me loving the Lord, worshiping Him, reading His Word. They need to hear me speak about Jesus and about God’s daily provision for our lives. They need to know that the Lord is welcome in our homes, and one day, they will welcome Him in their hearts. They need to see me, and my husband, maintain godly friendships. But if I fail to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God, how can I ever hope to have children that serve Him?
Prayer
Lord, I know my children are watching me. What they see me do, they will do. What they hear me say, they will say. How I live doesn’t just affect me. If my children see me being lackadaisical in my approach to you, they will think that is acceptable. I want them to learn to love you because I love you. I want them to learn to trust you because I trust you. I want the to learn to serve you because I serve you. Help me to daily STRIVE for my faith. Thank you for being patient with me, and for forgiving me when I foul. I want my children to know that it is possible to have a real, vibrant, deep relationship with you because they see that their Mommy does. Help me to be the living example that they need to see. In Jesus name, Amen.
How about you? Do you struggle with being a living example, like I do?
