We live in a culture where what our ancestors sacrificed, believed in, and fought for seems irrelevant. Many people don’t know history and don’t care to know it. We live in a culture that idolizes wealth and materialism. This is how success is measured. So when situations, politics, and social justice issues are brought up in conversations, we are greeted with eye rolling, deep sighs, and murmurs of “here we go again!” There is an assumption that there is no connection between the past and the present.
Once a sentence begins with “when I was your age, or back in the day..” we are immediately tuned out. We are not going down memory lane; we are sharing our experiences as means to keep others from repeating our mistakes. However, we learn that sometimes, we have to let our loved ones make mistakes. These mistakes may be small and easily rectified. Some are larger and stem from lusty temptations, greed, and desires. And for so many that get caught up in worldly matters, the temptations are overwhelming. We may even say, “that history has a tendency to repeat itself.” What a thought! Does this mean that our ancestors were overwhelmed, gave in to their temptations, and committed sins? How important is it now to know the history of the ancestors? What can we learn from them?
In 1 Corinthians 1:1-4, Paul reminds us of the Israelites’ journey and their provisions. “I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.”
Isn’t it interesting? Our ancestors had everything. They had protection, provision, guidance, and most of all, Christ. Is that any different for many of us? We have Christ; we have protection (homes); we have guidance through the word; we have options. With all of this, our ancestors weren’t satisfied, and in today’s world, we are not satisfied. Where did this dissatisfaction take our ancestors, and where has it taken us? What is God’s response?
“Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness” 1 Corinthians 1:5. When we fail to learn from our ancestors, we fall into the trap of repeating their sins and mistakes. Paul warns us.
These things happened as a warning to us so that we would not crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.” [They also participated in sexual immorality, tested Christ, and complained. Many were struck down and died.] These things happened so that we have a blueprint for living, but will we follow it?
The answer. Some of us will try to remember the joys, trials, and tribulation of our ancestors. We will try to remain obedient to God’s Word and put him first in all situations. Yes, we will fail because we are not perfect. The lesson we take from our ancestors is that God is faithful and does not leave us in times of despair. But there are those who will continue to believe that they control the narrative; they control their journey. “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12.
As you continue throughout life and face difficulties and temptations, remember that you are not the first, nor will you be the last. Heed the lessons learned by earlier generations. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Will you listen?
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