A Lost Generation
“When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). After the great conquest of the land of Canaan, one generation later, the above observation was made by God. In one generation, they had backslidden. How sad to think that such could happen—and so quickly. The storied history of ancient Israel is a great teacher (Romans 15:4). How could this happen?
It is likely they hadn’t been taught. As God was restating the Law, preparing them for entry into the land of promise. He charged the fathers to teach daily their children about God and His deliverance. It was to be part of their daily lives (Deut. 6:6-12). It seems this charge must have been forgotten. How easy it must have been to let it slip as they were busy with the day-to-day responsibilities of settling the land. The “I’m too busy today; I’ll catch it tomorrow” attitude too often leads to the neglect described. Christians are charged with the same educational responsibilities for their children (Eph. 6:4). The word of the Lord is to be taught from generation to generation (Titus 2:1-8).
It could be the people of Israel reasoned this way: “We’re in a new time (Joshua 1:8), a new generation, a new land (1:3), and a time of freedom (Joshua 21:45). We need to look ahead, not backward. We need something new and different.” This is the attitude today with many folks. They’re tired of the same old thing, and they want something new. As a result of just such an attitude, the essentials of salvation are not taught, and a generation is lost.
The people then, as people now, were greatly influenced by those around them. The Canaanites had not been completely removed, and instead of influencing the Canaanites for good, God’s people were being influenced by them! Israel had been greatly blessed with land and vineyards provided for them. They were doing well and profiting like never before. It should have been that they praised God more and not less, but the record says they did not. A good question to ask is, why? We’re warned of worldly pursuits just as they were (I John 2:15-16). The same God who blessed them has greatly blessed us. Do we praise Him as we should, or are we more influenced by the world and worldly pursuits? Be careful with your judgment of Israel.
Free will is a blessing designed by the Creator. Israel was given the freedom to choose (Joshua 24:15). They were free to serve God, other gods, or to do their own thing. Jesus taught free will (Mark 16:16), John taught free will (I John 1:7), and the Lord, the righteous Judge, recognizes it (II Cor. 5:10). All today have a choice either to serve God or not to do so. The very first Psalm deals with mankind’s free will. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Psalms 1:1). Who or what will you choose? A generation is depending upon it.
David • October 11, 2026
