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On Teaching Future Generations

In the book of Joel, we see that Joel’s prophecy was brought about by a plague of locust coming upon the land of Canaan (Joel 1:4). In fact, the people of God could not remember a more severe plague (Joel 2:2). This devastating plague, as well as a severe famine in the land, was designed not only as a punishment from God, but as a call for His people to repent (Joel 2:12-14).

Through Joel, God admonishes His people to:

“Tell your children about it, Let your children tell their children, And their children another generation” (Joel 1:3).

Similarly, the Psalmist admonished his generation to teach their children the law of the Lord (Psalm 78:1-8) so they would (1) “set their hope in God”; (2) “not forget the works of God”; (3) and to “keep His commandments” (Psalm 78:7).

Thus, according to God’s inspired word, not only is each generation responsible for their own conduct before God, but each generation is responsible for the teaching of their children as well (Ephesians 6:4; cf. Genesis 18:17-19; Deuteronomy 4:9-10; Deuteronomy 6:1-7).

The generations who abdicate that responsibility, will eventually incur God’s wrath (Joel 1:15; Joel 2:11; cf. Isaiah 13:9).