Vol III: #16 Education and Testimonies
When you read the books after Deuteronomy, you read a sad and repetitive history of the children of Israel. They are often violent and prone to worship other gods. Occasionally, a king will “follow in the way of his father David” but most were like Saul or Solomon. They did what was right in their own eyes and the so did the people. For this reason, we have a divided kingdom- Judah and Israel- with separate kings. And, this division almost certainly led their defeat and eventual exile.
Furthermore, I noticed scripture recounts “the promise made to Abraham” and the “exodus from Egypt” and other testimonies of the Lord’s faithfulness. And then today, I read 2 Kings 22 about “the lost book.” Most scholars assume it was part of Deuteronomy, but we can’t be sure. What we do know is King Josiah responded to the scripture with vigor. He knew Israel had long departed from the Way. He knew he was not taught to keep the Lord’s commandments. And so, he made it right. First Josiah repented to the Lord and then he tore down idols and smashed the high places.
For some reason, I find this story fascinating. I assumed all children were taught the Law and how to follow it. It’s easy to forget, education did not exist then as it does today. But still, I pictured a classroom with the Ten Commandments on the back wall, a stern headmaster, and little yeshiva students, tassels and curls neatly arranged, ready to study the Torah. I thought that’s what all Israelis did after they left Egypt. Apparently, not. People learned on the job and only what they needed to know. By the rule of Josiah, the average Israeli worshipped Baal because their parents worshipped Baal. They knew little of the Exodus or their Covenant with the Father. (And, consider that Josiah came 350 years after David. To put it into more perspective, 350 years ago from today is 1672!)
What’s important is the people the Lord called to be His own didn’t know who He was or what He wanted. They didn’t know their history or what the Covenant means. In this light, the bust/boom cycle of Israeli history is easy to understand. The question I have now is “how do I avoid the cycle?”
The answers seem obvious and light-hearted. The first is to read scripture. Check. The second answer to follow the Lord’s lead in my life. Check-for the most part. And finally, the last answer to recall the goodness of the Lord in my life. I never want to forget the blessings and gifts the Lord gives and has given to me, and to the people around me. In this way, the goodness and glory of the Father is always before me, in scripture, and my life.
I’m reminded of when Paul says “if there is anything that is ·good [morally excellent] and worthy of praise, think about [focus your thoughts on; fill your minds with] these things.” Isn’t this what Paul meant? I know I’ve struggled to think “what is good.” But, it’s not that hard. I get to think about the time my knee needed major reconstruction surgery and then seemed to be healed. I get to be thankful for all the wonderful people that Lord put in my life. This is how we win at life, by focusing on what is and what was good.
