Another Generation

by H. King | Category: General | Dec 1959

"And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers:

and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the work which He had wrought for Israel" (Judges 2.10).

These sad words give rise to a very vital question. Who was to blame for this ignorance of the LORD in the rising generation? Did they not want to know the LORD ? or were their fathers neglectful of their responsibility to instruct their children ? In this particular case in the book of Judges we may never find an answer, but it becomes us as wise men to examine the point as it affects ourselves today, lest such a tragedy should overtake us.

In order that divine testimony may continue, it is necessary that there be the speaking of, and the listening to the word of God. The things of God, which are embodied in the word of God, must be passed on from men to men, from generation to generation. Those who speak the word of God must first of all have heard it, that they, in turn, may pass it on to others. This is the perfect example of our Lord Jesus Christ Who said, "The things Which I heard from Him (the Father), these speak I unto the world" (John 8. 26). And besides this, He said to His disciples, whom He called His friends, "All things that I heard from My Father I have made known unto you" (John 15.15).

Let those who would speak be persuaded that they have somewhat to say as from the Lord (Ephesians 5.6), otherwise they will be speaking empty words, that is, words with nothing in them, which cannot convey anything to those who hear. It is necessary that men keep the things of the Lord alive in their day, and this they do by speaking about them. This was the commandment given to Israel

"Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the Way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up" (Deuteronomy 6.7). The apostle also speaks of spiritual fathers who had gone before, and he says, "Remember them that had the rule over you, which spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith " (Hebrews 13.7).

Men are often remembered by things which they said or wrote, and it will be a high commendation if a man is remembered in the generation after him as one who spoke the word of God.

In the Lord's prayer recorded in John 17 the Lord said, "The words which Thou gavest Me I have given unto them": but then He adds, "and they received them " (verse 8). This last sentence may appear to be superfluous, but it shows how exact the wording of Scripture is. The Lord Jesus Christ handed over to these men the words of God. They in turn received them in completion of the transaction, and as a voluntary act on their part.

Herein lies a great lesson for the present rising generation. The truth of God is being passed on today by the lips, and by the pens, of faithful men. That is their part in the work, but let those who are at the receiving end be faithful also and let not these precious things fall to the ground and be lost. Otherwise it may be recorded in heaven that there arose another generation which knew not the Lord.

It must have been a comfort to such a man as Paul to know that, amidst the declension and apostasy of his closing days, there were some who were prepared to continue in divine testimony.

His were the giving hands as he handed over the treasures of heaven. The hands of Timothy were the receiving hands, and he in turn was to commit them to faithful men, who would be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2.2).

H. King | Dec 1959
General