Part I

Part II

Part III

Over the past few weeks, I've used Deuteronomy to help guide our thinking about how important it is for us to teach our contemporaries and the generations that come after us about the reality, truthfulness and wonder of God and the story He's written about Himself and His Creation. I started at the national stage and narrowed my focus down to the church / parental stage and this is where I will conclude this thought series.   

One of the many things that have come out of my own thinking ever since my son was born almost a year ago has been the importance of heritage. My wife has long been a fan of creating family trees, working on ours ever since we've been married. It's only been recently that I've learned to appreciate her efforts even more so because as I watch my son grow up into a toddler and ponder the years that he has before him, I've realized how important it will be for him to understand where he comes from so he understands a little bit better where he fits into the world and its history.

Deuteronomy 32:7, quoted above, asks us to sit and ponder those who've come before us. It asks us to take seriously the words and lessons of those who've gone before us. Under the national assault against God and His laws, it has been a trend to discard the wisdom of our elders as "archaic" and "not with the times." Now, I'm not suggesting that everything that is handed down to us is appropriate or accurate (racism and slavery are examples that easily comes to mind), but this is no reason to disobey Deuteronomy and discard all of the insight and wisdom gained by our ancestors who include, not only our parents and grandparents, but also those who wrote the Bible.

It was important for God for the Israelites to know their history so they could pass it on to their children. Their children needed to be able to retain their elders' wisdom so they could build on it and not turn away from God's teaching. The Israelite children would also learn about their place in the world and why they were unique and set apart as God's chosen people. Their history would give them their identity. 

This is why it's important for God for us to read and learn the Bible. This is why we need to learn from the mistakes and the triumphs of those the Bible writes about. Not only does the Bible teach us wisdom gained from the hard roads that some of these people took so we don't have to take the same road ourselves, the Bible also teaches us who we are: God's own chosen and created children.

Heritage, identity and wisdom (either gained or taught) are some of the most important things that I can give my son as a parent. As a Christian, the Bible has given that to you. Don't forget who you are and what your place is in the world. If you have, you can always remind yourself again by reading the Bible.

Remember the history of those who've gone before us. Ask your elders. Share the wisdom. Don't forget.