The continuation of the previous post… and it’s just my notes, so it’s in kind of rough form.
I believe there is great hope for GenZ found in Psalm 78. (verses 1-8)
This Psalm is a historical Psalm recalling events from Israel’s past. Specifically it covers selected events from Moses to David. The whole of the Psalm’s purpose is seen in these first 8 verses. It seeks to recount these events so that future generations will learn the lessons of the past and not be unbelieving and rebellious like the generations described in the Psalm.
A Maskil of Asaph.
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
This was written by Asaph, who was a Levite and a music leader in the service of King David, speaking to God’s people. His use of “O my people” indicates that he views them in a loving way and considers himself one of them. He is declaring that he is about to speak important truth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
We are familiar with the idea of parables as a teaching tool that Jesus used frequently. Dark sayings is less familiar to us. It’s often translated as “riddles” or “mysteries”. These are not obscure or unknown because the next line tells us they were heard and known. Yet pastor John Piper suggests that the psalm is a parable and a riddle not because the whole thing is a made-up story, but mainly because it poses two profound riddles: Why was Israel so incorrigibly rebellious, and why was God willing to return again and again to help them?
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
This raises a question. Why in past generations did parents keep their faith to themselves? When my father passed away 12 years ago, a few people asked me “did he know the Lord?” and I really could not give a definitive answer. I think so. My parents took us to church. When we were young they were very active in the church. Yet they left it to the church to teach us the Bible. My grandmother taught me to pray. We cannot afford to make the same mistake generations before us have. Faith must be discussed in the home. We need to reclaim the habit of teaching kids from early on about the things that God has done.
And it’s important to note what Asaph emphasizes in terms of what must be told to the coming generation. He does not start with what we must do to obey God but rather what God has done because of his love for us.
He established a testimony in Jacob
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
to teach to their children,
Often Psalms will convey the same idea in two sequential statements. Sometimes those ideas are in one sense the same and yet different. I think that is what we have here. What is the law and the testimony referred to in verse 5? Exodus 31:18 tells us. And God gave to Moses, when he had made an end of speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. But the tablets don’t start with the list of ten commandments. They begin like this: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”
God established a testimony in Jacob. We learn a lot about the character of God from his interaction with Jacob. And after Jacob wrestles with God, he is given a new name – Israel. So, the verse is referencing both a person and a nation who have received both testimony – meaning the glorious deeds of the Lord, and the law. The law refers not merely to rules but all the truths that God has revealed in scripture. Jesus tells us that all of the Law and the prophets point to him. Law is common shorthand for the Pentateuch. (first five books)
So when Asaph says God established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, he means that God has testified about what HE has done and about what our response should be.
that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments;
There is no guarantee or promise made here about the faithfulness of future generations. We teach and they might know and put their hope in God. Without us teaching it’s extremely unlikely that future generations will know about God and put their hope in him. It’s worth noting that the Psalmist takes this at least four generations to emphasize the continual nature of passing faith generationally.
and that they should not be like their fathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
whose spirit was not faithful to God.
The section ends with a warning not to repeat history, a history full of stubborn rebellion, fickle hearts, and unfaithfulness. It is astonishing to look at the unfaithfulness and rebellion we see in the OT at times among people who were eyewitnesses to powerful and miraculous works of God.
The task set before us is to tell, teach, and tell. The response we are looking for – which should be our response as well – is to remember, keep the commands, and remain faithful. Or we could put it another way. The desired outcome is that future generations would know God, put their hope in God, and obey God.
What is the most positive stated outcome of such faithful telling and teaching? Hope! Exactly what the world needs right now.
I mentioned earlier that I have been urging people in our diocese to pray for younger generations and urged clergy to consider adding a prayer to their Prayers of the People on a regular (perhaps weekly) basis in your congregation. Slowly some are taking up the challenge. I’ll close with the prayer I have been circulating.
Lord, we pray that the truth that has been entrusted to us and the lessons we have learned will not be hidden from the next generation. Grant us every grace we need to make known to our children, even the children yet unborn, the path that leads to life.
Make us a generation of parents, grandparents, and church members who will teach younger generations your ways and how to walk according to the truth, so that they might set their hope and confidence in you and not forget your good works. May we be a generation who brings good news to each successive generation so that all may know your truth and the gospel of grace. Amen
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