*** This blog was originally posted online 1/18/22.
Adam Clarke, in his commentary on the book of Psalms, suggests that in the seventy-eighth chapter there are five generations contemplated.
1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: 3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his won-derful works that he hath done. 5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. 9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
Clarke points out at least three specific things about teaching the next generation. • Children learn from their fathers (v. 3). • They in turn are to teach the same things to the next generation (v. 4). • Father should teach their children who in turn teach their children God's word (vs. 5-6).
Next, the Psalmist assigns five reasons for teaching children: • That they might know the will of God (vs. 5-6). • That they might “set their hope in God” (v. 7). • That they might “not forget the works of God” (v. 7). • That they might not “be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation” (v. 8) • That they might have a steadfast spirit with God (v. 9).
When Moses made his farewell address to God's people, he had a new generation standing before him. Those who serve the flock of God as under-shepherds of Christ, have a new generation standing before them. Never have elders needed to stand in the gap more than in our perilous, turbulent times.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Billy
Please check out the following websites: Getting To Know Your Bible (www.gettingtoknowyourbible.com) and Summerdale Church of Christ (www.summerdalechurch.org).