When I was in school, I disliked history classes. To me, history was nothing more than remembering names and dates. History had no relevance to my life or my future. What I did not understand then, was that those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it.
People write historical books to tell us the things that they felt the next generations should learn. People took the time to build monuments to people they thought we should emulate. Most times we dismiss it as irrelevant.
Joshua made some history. Joshua wanted the next generation to remember. “So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day. ” (Joshua 4:4–9, NIV84) Joshua wanted the people to remember the importance of the covenant with God and also the power of God.
Later, when the people sinned, Joshua again heaped rocks. “Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since. ” (Joshua 7:26, NIV84) Joshua did not want the people to forget the lessons learned.
The Gospel of Luke was written by someone who wanted others to know the certain and sure truth. “it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. ” (Luke 1:3–4, NASB95)
History was not intended to be the memorization of names and dates, but to recall the character and the strength of people and events that forms generations. For God’s people history is meant to teach us to follow hard after God. “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. ” (1 Corinthians 10:11–12, NASB95)
When we are going through tough times, we should remember history. We should recall the greatness of God of made a way in the desert, defeated armies, healed his people, provided manna and water. We should recall the history of Jesus who ministered to everyone who came to Him. History encourages our faith and prompts faith to arise to believe that if God did it then, God will do it now.
What is your circumstance? Study the past. Learn how others found faith to overcome. Emulate their pattern. Walk their path. This is the generational blessing of spiritual fathers and sons.
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