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Bible Study on Bible Examples: Dachau

At the site of Dachau concentration camp near Munich, Germany, is a museum containing relics from the camp, as well as grim photos depicting the camp during the war years. There is a sign next to the exist that reads “THOSE WHO DO NOT LEARN FROM HISTORY ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT ITS MISTAKES.” This is seen coming true time and time again throughout the pages of history. If Christians would learn this simple and profound lesson, they would have much less trouble.

The apostle Paul declared, “Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come” (1 Cor. 10:11). Unless we learn from the mistakes of those before us, as recorded in the Bible, then we are doomed to make those same mistakes. Beloved, let us now consider a few lessons from inspired history.

From the inspired history of Adam and Eve we learn that separation from God occurs when we disobey Him (Gen. 3). Isaiah declared, “Behold, Jehovah’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isa. 59:1-2).

In the inspired history of the wilderness wanderings we discover that we will not enter the promise land (heaven) if we murmur and do not trust in the Almighty (Num. 14:29-30). Paul reminds us, “Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer” (1 Cor. 10:10). We are also taught, “Do all things without murmurings and questionings: that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:14-15).

The inspired history of Korah, Dathan and Abiram teaches us that God is sorely displeased with those who rebel against those He places in authority (Num. 16). Korah, and company, rebelled against Moses, and today, there are many that call into question the authority of the elders. But, the Hebrew writer said, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).

The “God-breathed” account of Eli informs us what happens to a family when parents to not restrain or discipline their children (1 Sam. 1-2). Eli did not restrain his children (1 Sam. 3:13), thus, shame was brought upon the family. Solomon proclaimed, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Pro. 22:6). In the New Testament we are informed, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

Inspiration tells us of Uzzah (2 Sam. 6), and we learn that there is a severe penalty in doing what we think is right to the neglect of what God says is right. Solomon warned, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death” (Pro. 14:12). Jeremiah said, “O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23).

Remember, “THOSE WHO DO NOT LEARN FROM HISTORY ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT ITS MISTAKES.”