Monday: And Declare Them to Their Children
The Psalms in the Old Testament eventually came to play a role in the religious life of ancient Israel. They were recited, sung, often with musical instruments, during times of worship, especially public worship, which in the Old Testament was key to how the people worshiped in general. Israel functioned as a community, and as a community, they worshiped together.
Image © Krieg Barrie at Goodsalt.com
The Psalms are basically poems, the lyrics to songs. The Hebrew word for the Psalms, Tehillîm, means “songs of praise.” And when we sing praises to God, whatever else we are doing, we are worshiping the Lord.
Read Psalm 78:1-17. What is the essential message here, and how does it fit in with the whole question of education and worship?
There is a certain determination about the message of Psalm chapter 78. In verse 2, Asaph mentions how we will share the “dark sayings of old.” The word “dark” does not mean “ominous” but, rather, dim or fading, as history can become when its crucial events go further and further back in time. In other translations, dark is referred to as “secret” (NLV) or “sweet old truths” (Message). The point here is that whatever else the education of Israel included, it included teaching the children the stories about the Lord’s dealing with the chosen nation.
Look at Psalm 78:6-17. What were the specific lessons that they were to teach their children? What was the ultimate goal of this education?
| Among the goals of education as seen in the texts is that the children would learn to trust in God and keep His commandments. How might a text like Revelation 14:12 reflect that same idea for us today? |
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I have told the story before of the time when we toured Europe and stayed in a hotel in Florence on Friday night. During the evening meal a large extended Jewish family had their meal next to our group in the dining room. This was their "Opening Sabbath" meal and it was clearly something that everyone looked forward to. The part that touched my heart was where a small boy climbed onto his Grandfather's lap and told one of the traditional Sabbath stories. I don't know which story it was because it was all in Hebrew, but you could see the whole family enjoying it with their eyes fixed on the child as he retold the familiar story. There was nodding and smiles when he got it right, and coaching from his parents when he faltered. And when a cheer from the whole group went up, he sheepishly buried his head in his grandfather's shoulder, then looked around at the family with big grin on his face.
It brought to mind the instruction of Moses:
The family celebration of Sabbath reminded me of the importance of family tradition. I am using the word tradition, not in our usual sense of looking down our noses at the "traditions of men", but of shared family experiences that are affirming and enjoyable for our children. It is not just about what we teach our children, but it is the experience of sharing a special time together. What do we do for our children to share our joy of the Gospel in ways which are inclusive and looked forward to?
The second element of worship that I discovered by studying the Psalms was songs of praise to the LORD.
I found at least 10 that start with Sing to the LORD or make a joyful noise to the LORD.
Singing is a wonderful way for the whole congregation to join together to praise and worship the LORD. Songs are an excellent way to remember and explain the gospel, for old and young a like.
In Rev 15:2-4 we see the redeemed standing on the sea of glass singing the Song of Moses and the Lamb!
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children...
Deut 6:6-10
And Declare Them to Their Children
It is said- a picture tells a thousand words.
I am not too sure if in time past the children of Israel had photos for memories but they were supposed to past down their teaching from generations to generations whether orally or written.
That is one of my favorite passages of the bible- I can associate myself with my own struggles but Jesus was always with me throughout the way. Ps 78:1-72
I have some old family photos about self and children. So often I would take a snap of them and sent them to the children. We would all have inside fun about the photos. They would ask me about the photos and every time I did it, it appears something new would come to my mind. Something about the past and how the Lord had led us in a might way from then to now.
By me remembering them about the past and how the Lord led and kept us, it is the same way the Lord had instructed the children in the wilderness. To remember what he had done for them while moving through dangerous paths and how he brought them a might long way.
It was only last week I sent them a text telling them how to treat strangers/illegals immigrants among them. Although that was never a problem in our home. Jesus said to them remember you were stranger yourselves. They knew how they were treated as stranger to the level of slaves. Deut 10:19.
I have to live what is biblically. Jesus called the Jews hypocrites because of their behavior- He asked; what about mercy, justice and faith? Matt 23:23.
I have quoted a Song that I did believe had the ear marks of Gospel truth, and the response was, oh that is just a song. We must be careful that we don't just sing the words we need to take them to heart and live them. "Live out Thy life within me oh Jesus King of kings. Be Thou Thyself the answer to all my questionings...I the transparent medium, Thy glory to display."
God's covenant is made with any who meet the conditions set forth. It will extend to every generation "if" they continue in faith and obedience(Ps 132:12). Anything less is transgression: to rebel against the covenant. How can the next generation meet the conditions if not taught the truth? How it is taught will make a vast difference in how it is understood and received. Teaching the truth with words, without demonstration in the life, will ensure the rejection of this truth by all who see the lack of genuine experience in those teaching it. We teach the children in Sabbath School to "love not the world", then take them to Disneyland the next day. How will that turn out?
Exellent point, Robert! If the children experience dull, subdued, 'coersed' worship during fellowship time with other believers, but see how excited parents are when 'experiencing/enjoying' the worldly pleasures, no wonder our children are confused and do not seek the joy in their Salvation and praise God. And it is not their fault, it is the parents who are not 'educated' yet to have learned the difference and therefore cannot model their joy in their Salvation to their children.
Looking at the lesson’s picture, I wish this would be the spirit of worship emanating from the fellowship of believers when gathering for worship! In my opinion, there is nothing more beautiful than the family of God coming together in song and praise to worship our heavenly Father and our Savior Christ Jesus for the wonderful work they have done. If we would ‘rock the house’ with exuberant worship, I am sure our children become genuinely impressed and join right in; there is nothing more contagious than genuine joy.
What does the glad heart do? – it sings praises to affirm and express its appreciation and gladness – expressing the joy of our salvation! If I were in charge of scheduling the time spend together in the house of the Lord of the Sabbath, I would schedule the time of worship in song of praise and testimony first and then go into our bible study time – 2/3 worship, 1/3 sermon related to the study lesson, a handout for the managerial news and concluding with the happy fellowship time at the table.
Psalm78:1-17 – testifies to the greatness of God, the mighty things He has done; worship by songs of praise are given to Him in direct address. Our praise of God and His wonderful work is our heartfelt testimony to our children; they hear and observe us praising the God we love. I believe that our worship time is much more instructive to them then our sabbath school lesson time as they can observe that it is ‘ok’ to show/express heartfelt love for our spiritual Father in praise and worship.
If learning remains tied to the pages of a book it is not yet complete. It needs the full experience to bring it to life - experience is what brings the ‘lesson’ home to the heart. If the children of the People of Israel would have seen in their parents the obedience based on their heart that loves God, we might have a different history to look back to.
Psalm78:7,8KJV – “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(or prepared not) their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
Our thought question for Monday says:
What were the specific lessons that they were to teach their children? What was the ultimate goal of this education?
There a long list of them in Psalms 78:6-17 that the Lord God wants us to teach our children:
Firstly, we are to teach, or Educate, our children about God so that they can:
1) verse 6: That they may arise and declare them to their children,
2) verse 7: That they may set their hope in God,
3) And not forget the works of God,
4)But keep His commandments;
5) verse 8 And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation,
6) A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
7) verses 11-16 tells of His Marvelous works for His people:
a)verse 11 And forgot His works And His wonders that He had shown them.
b)verse 12 Marvelous things He did in the sight of their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
c)verse 13 He divided the sea and caused them to pass through; And He made the waters stand up like a heap.
d)verse 14 In the daytime also He led them with the cloud, And all the night with a light of fire.
e)verse 15 He split the rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink in abundance like the depths.
f)verse 16 He also brought streams out of the rock, And caused waters to run down like rivers.
One can write an entire book on the above verses. But in the end, the Psalms end in verse 17: "But they sinned even more against Him by rebelling against the Most High in the wilderness."
This is why the Bible says in Isaiah 5:4 - "What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?" God is trying His Best to reach out to us.
For me, Education also has the components of "growth" and "opportunity" in it, as well as the aspect of learning form the same mistakes of past generations. What a Merciful God we serve! I feel that God is speaking to David's generation, and our generation, that we have the opportunity to help our children create a better future for themselves and their children, 1) by nourish their relationship with God, 2) to remind their children what God has done in the past, and that He will be there for them; whatever they are going through, God is always there. By doing this, our children will teach, "educate", their children to worship God, and so on, and so on.
the lord had loved us before just as we humans start loving our children right from da woom through feeding and loving their mothers so sinning is like turning our back to the fore fathers who have shown us good way on earth
thnx guys for your tyme on teaching and training us Gods way