The children of Israel were given a great land with wonderful resources. But Moses challenged them to protect their greatest natural resource—their children. He said to them before his death, “Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged” (Deuteronomy 6:1-2). Did you notice the command was not only to this generation but also to “thy son, and thy son’s son”? That’s 100 years of faithfulness.
Sadly, they failed to keep the challenge. As the people take the land in Judges, we read that the next generation failed to serve the Lord.
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 works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. –Judges 2:10-13
Israel failed to keep the challenge. Will we? Starting today, we need to teach our children in a way that not only provides them with the motivation and desire to serve God but also their children. We should leave a legacy of faith. One hundred years from now, I will have left this earth. But will my family remember me? And more importantly, will they remember me for my faith?
Isn’t that what is most important? Not that I was wildly successful in business. Not that I have buildings bearing my name on them. Not that I raised a world-class athlete. Not that I had beautiful girls that could win pageants. None of that really matters. What matters is that my children and my grandchildren and the generations after that serve God.
Accept Moses’ 100 year challenge today. Teach the ways of God to your children and to your children’s children.
Deep Waters 