Passing on a Godly Heritage.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 78

 

Psalm 78:2-4

I will open my mouth in a parable;
    I will utter dark sayings from of old,
³ things that we have heard and known,
    that our fathers have told us.
⁴ We will not hide them from their children,
    but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
    and the wonders that he has done.

(ESV)

 

One of the main tenants of the Communist Manifesto is the separation of children from their parents to prevent exposure to the values of their parents and instead indoctrination with the secular values of communism. Children are impressionable in their youth and why God stressed the importance of parents sharing the things of God with their children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). In today’s culture, the Church has children once or twice a week with the schools having them five days a week. The numbers are in favor of children having greater exposure to secular and often ungodly values with parents having the ability to tip the scales in favor of Godly values since they have their children seven days a week.

 

This psalm begins with Asaph asking those hearing it to pay attention to what it is going to teach. The psalm is a parable that will speak of things of old, things that are known, and things the listeners' fathers have told them. Asaph continues by saying he does not intend to hide the things in the psalm from their children but that he intends to tell the coming generation of the glorious deeds of the Lord and what He has done (Psalm 78:1-4). The purpose of the psalm is the establishment of a testimony in Jacob and the appointment of law in Israel they are to teach their children (Psalm 78:5). This is so the next generation might have their hope in God, not forgetting His works, and instead being obedient to His commandments (Psalm 78:6-7). Asaph desires that the next generation not be stubborn and rebellious but a generation that is steadfast in heart and faithful to God (Psalm 78:8).

 

1)      God’s wonders and deliverances of the past – Opening up the Red Sea so the Israelites could pass through, and the army of Egypt drown (Psalm 78:13). God miraculously led the people of Israel with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Psalm 78:14). God made water come out of a rock like a river (Psalm 78:16). God also provided manna from heaven and meat when they craved it (Psalm 78:23-29). Asaph also reminds them of what God did in Egypt to cause Pharaoh to let them go (Psalm 78:43-55).

2)      Rebellion and its consequences – Despite the miraculous wonders of God done on their behalf, the people of Israel still rebelled against God. They did not keep God’s covenant and refused to keep God’s commandments (Psalm 78:10). They forgot God’s works and the wonders He had shown them (Psalm 78:11). God was merciful and gracious towards His people but finally reached a point where their continued disobedience provoked him to anger and found themselves subjected to His wrath (Psalm 78:56-66).

3)      An eternal upright shepherd – God promises Israel an upright shepherd, David, a shepherd boy who will shepherd Israel as their king with an upright heart and skillful hand (Psalm 78:70-72). David’s kingdom is not like other earthly kingdoms for it is an eternal kingdom Through Jesus Christ (1 Kings 2:45; Luke 1:26-33).

 

Asaph has a concern about Israel not passing on their Godly heritage, a heritage of the glorious deeds of the Lord and the wonders God has done for His people. The purpose of passing on a Godly heritage is so the next generation can set their hope in God from knowing what God has done in the past so they can be obedient and have hope in God to take care of them (Psalm 78:5-7). This is not a new thing, but Asaph is reminding them of God’s instructions to them in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Training a child in the way he or she should go remains with them even when they are old (Proverbs 22:6). Asaph is providing a history lesson in a psalm Israel can use to remind children of their Godly heritage, the consequences of rebellion against God, and the mercy of God.

 

Jesus reminded His disciples not to hinder children from coming to Him, reminding them that the kingdom of heaven belongs to them (Matthew 19:14). The future of the Church is not in its methods or programs but in its ability to pass on a Godly heritage and values to the next generation. This is not to downplay churches having children’s and youth ministry programs, but the Church must ensure the purpose of these programs is the passing on of a Godly heritage through teaching from the Word of God and not to segregate children from adults, so they are not a distraction. Parents also have a responsibility and must ensure they train their children in the ways of the Lord both by the example of their lives, having family prayer and Bible reading, and regular attendance in Church and serving in the Church. Parental responsibility is crucial for churches may have children once or twice a week but those in public school have exposure to secular values five days a week. Without parental passing on of a godly heritage, children have greater exposure to secular values than Godly values. As parents, we must repent of our failure to pass on our Godly values to our children before we lose the next generation.

 

If you are reading this and do not yet have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed and are a parent, I encourage you to pass on the Godly heritage you just received by finding a local Church teaching the Word of God and bringing your children along, so they have exposure to Godly values. I also encourage parents that just prayed to study the Word of God to learn of their Godly heritage so they can pass it on to their Children. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.