The Lord had been faithful. Through Moses he liberated the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. He led them through the wilderness. And through the leadership of Joshua brought them into the land that he had promised to their forefather Abraham. Finally, those who were once slaves were now a free people, with a land of their own. “After Joshua had dismissed the Israelites, they went to take possession of the land, each to their own inheritance” (Judges 2.6 NIV).
But this was not to be a “happily ever after” ending. For the biblical account tells us that after Joshua and all “who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel” passed away (Judges 2.7 NIV), the generation that followed turned away from the Lord and worshipped other gods. What happened? I find quite suggestive the description of this new generation, “who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel” (Judges 2.10 NIV). While this generation would be responsible for their own choices and actions, it appears that the previous generation dropped the ball in passing on the legacy of their faith. The results proved disastrous. “Cultivating spiritual memory leads to spiritual health. In forgetting God, they weren’t just ungrateful, but they were also undermining their own identity and survival” (Scripture Union, Daily Encounter).
The gospel is not merely about ideas and concepts about God. The gospel is about the personal God who is active in human history. The scriptures tell stories, stories that testify to the faithful works of God for his people and through his people. The very identity and purpose of the Christian church is grounded in the work of God, especially in Christ Jesus.
The passing on of the knowledge of God and of the stories of God’s works should never be overlooked. A church or a Christian family would do well to remember and review with the next generations who God is and what God has done (see Psalm 78.1-7). As one song declares,
Every generation
They will tell their children
Of Your awesome power and Your mighty acts
They will tell the stories
Of Your faithfulness and glory
And we will pass it on to all who’ve yet to come
How You’ve been slow to anger and oh so rich in love
That all may celebrate the wonders You have done. (Tommy Walker)
Let’s not forget to tell our stories, both biblical stories and personal stories, of God’s mighty and gracious works.
—Keith Y. Jainga