Judges 2 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“The people worshipped the L_rd throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who out-lived Joshua. They had seen all the L_rd’s great works He had done for Israel. Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the L_rd, died at the age of 110. They buried him in the territory of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the L_rd or the works He had done in Israel.” Judges 2: 6-10

The generation that entered into the land of Canaan with Joshua had seen the great works of the L_rd! This was especially true for the eldest of that generation. As children, they had experienced G_d’s redemption from Egypt, His provision in the desert as young adults and His deliverance into Canaan as old men. They had known the L_rd’s great Grace because of His promise to their forefathers, and His abundant mercy in spite of their sin.

One thing that the “deliverance generation” had failed to do was to communicate all their lessons to their children. They had failed to transfer the value of following G_d, to the point where the next generation did not even know the L_rd, or the works He had done in Israel.

Their attitude towards building-up the next generation was in direct disregard for the L_rd’s command:

“Listen Israel, and be careful to follow the L_rd’s commandments, so that you may prosper and multiply greatly, because the L_rd, the G_d of your fathers, has promised you a land flowing with mild and honey. Listen, Israel: The L_rd your G_d, the L_rd is One. Love the L_rd your G_d with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:3-9

I have experienced both great grace and abundant mercy from the L_rd. Let me encourage you to continue walking life’s path with me. Indulge me to tell my story and teach you the lessons of Scripture, so you will know the L_rd and His works. This is so that you will be prepared to be leaders in your generation, and impassioned to equip the next.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins
Daily Devotional, Monday, Aug. 11, 2014