Will the Next Generation have Faith?

Text:  JUDGES 2: 1 - 13

What caused Israel’s spiritual decline?

A.   THE PROBLEMS OF THE PREVIOUS GENERATION (2: 1 – 5)

1.       They obeyed not the voice of the Lord. (v. 2) God commanded them to “make no league with the inhabitants” of Canaan.  The Canaanites worshiped the vile idol Baal and were the enemies of the people of God.  The Israelites did not separate from sin and unrighteousness. (2 Cor. 6 : 14 – 17)  God warned the Israelites that these people “shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.” (v. 3)  

The Bible is explicit in its command to be separated from sin unto holiness.  To compromise with false teachers and evil practices would be detrimental to our faith and the faith of our children.

2.        They did not have a clean break from idolatry.  “Ye shall throw down their altars.”  The reason for destroying all the idols and their altars is that men may know that there is only one God and He is a jealous God. (Ex. 34:13, 14)

Some people believe that all religions are the same and they believe that everyone worships the same God although the form of worship may be different. There is a world-wide organization called the World Council of Churches; its goal is to bring the world’s religions under her umbrella.  Unfortunately, many mainline Christian denominations have accepted membership into this ecumenical movement. 

  

B.   THE PROBLEMS OF THE PRESENT GENERATION (2: 10 – 13)

1.       They forsook the Lord, and served idols; Baal and Ashtaroth were their idols (vv. 12, 13).  In these verses we sense that the new generation of Israelites departed from God willingly.  They chose to forsake God and serve idols.

There are many forms of idolatry today.  An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our hearts.  We may not have an image placed in our house to bow to.  But there are many idols which do not have human or animal form and shape. They are intangible but they occupy our hearts. The Bible says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2: 15)

2.    They did evil in the sight of God. (v. 11) Baalim is the worship of false gods. Their abominable worship practices include male and female prostitution, offering animal sacrifices and even human sacrifices. Notwithstanding the wickedness in Baal worship, the people chose to adopt this corrupt religion. 

Sadly, today, many so-called Christians have turned away from the truth and indulged in evil practices such as cheating, embezzlement, pornography, lust and revenge.

Believers have the God-given task of teaching and training their children from small, so that when they grow up, they will not forget God’s laws and fall into temptation. In fact, children of believers should grow up to be role models to the non-believing world, to God’s glory and honour!

Rev Lim Chee Boon