28.2 Moses 28, Day 2

The Next Generation

Moses’ time on this earth was drawing to a close.  An entire generation of Israelites had been set free from slavery, and had perished in the desert.  And, now, was the time for the next generation.

As I work with kids, in BSF and Sunday School, as well as my own children and their friends, groups, clubs and teams, I spend a lot of each week with “the next generation”.  I see that for each generation God has a special message and He raises up leaders to deliver that message and help lead His people.

For the generation of Moses one of the clear messages was “let my people go.”  It was a generation learning how to be free and how to make their own choices of moving forward in obedience to God or moving backward into a slavery mindset.  For the next generation, Joshua’s generation, one of the clear messages will be “be strong and courageous.”

Each generation has a message, each generation has godly leaders.  I think this pattern has continued to this day, whether looking at the message of reformation in Luther, Calvin and Wesley or the message of evangelism and personal relationship of Billy Graham and David Jeremiah.  The message and direction and leadership are new and specific to that generation.

Yet, God and His underlying message never change.  He is the Rock.  His power is absolute and His love is amazing.  Every message for every generation, while new and unique, is consistent and true to His nature and His word.

I don’t know what the message for the next generation is, but I see a stirring in young believers to really know and live in His word.  I see a move away from watered down, feel good interpretations of the bible and a move to self accountability to read and know what the bible actually says.  I see a generation that is not intimidated by the Word and willing to make a commitment to God.  I also see a generation under attack with distractions and double-talk and sin wrapped up in the cloak of “normal” with extreme pressure to be tolerant of wickedness.  But this too is a sign of encouragement, because Satan seldom goes on the offensive when the momentum of a generation is a slide in his direction.

I hope and pray that is the message, and, if I’m right, I pray to stay young because I want to be a part of that!

My Answers

3.
a.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never l

b.
Because it was for Joshua to serve as the leader over.  It was for Joshua and his generation.

c.
Isaiah 41:10, Fear not for I am with you, do not be dismayed – by God’s strength and not by mine, upheld by His righteousness. Rom 8:11 the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you

4.
a.
Moses wrote down the law, gave it to priests and all elders, every 7 years gather and read the law, listen and learn

b.
It was not a surprise, God knew it would happen .  It does not mean God didn’t know and it explains the hardship to come.  God was not defeated by sin, He was and would be so great in His love that He would allow His people the freedom to sin against Him.