Is the vain thing the main thing

Spiritual review - Dave from 3rd February 2019 sermon.

In Samuel’s discourse with Israel after they had anointed Saul as king, he reminds the nation of their disposition in times past to follow after vain things.

He admonishes the people of Israel not to turn aside from following the Lord and to completely follow the Lord with all their heart.

Because here’s what will happen when you do turn aside you’ll follow vain things - things that cannot profit or deliver.

You’ll follow vain things - things that cannot profit or deliver.

So my focus here tonight will be on this topic of vanity - how will I know if I’ve turned unto vain things? How will I know if the vain things in my life are becoming the main things?

We live in a society today who likes to pride themselves on their technological advances. We can communicate with people on the opposite side of the globe, we can carry the entire internet in our pocket, and we can automate many manual and mundane tasks.

Technology is amazing.

But sadly with great power comes great responsibility. It can be very easy for us to get ourselves sucked into many vain things these days, all because it’s a lot easier for us to access than it was 20 years ago.

But let’s take a step back before pointing the finger at technology and ask - what causes us to seek vain things?

In our passage we see the reason why the nation of Israel turned to vain things - they turned aside from following the Lord fully.

We forget.

1 Samuel 12:9 KJV 1900

And when they forgat the Lord their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

Samuel here reminds Israel one reason why Israel faced such turmoil at the hand of their enemies when they were brought into the land - they simply forgot and forsook the Lord.

We forget because:

Our regular schedule becomes busier than normal and encroaches on things of the Lord. We could also get burnt out and need prolonged rest; or

We slowly diminish our regular attendance in something such as being involved in church, reading God’s Word, regularly praying (etc). Those things which should be regular

Out of sight, out of mind.

When we then do forget, something more alluring tends to take its place.

1 Samuel 12:10 KJV 1900

And they cried unto the Lord, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

Forgetting is one thing, and we can restore a right relationship with the Lord if we get back into our regular routine, however, as is shown in our passage with Israel they sadly replaced their routine with the wrong type of godly things.

Instead of returning back and fully following the Lord they instead shared in the practices of their neighbouring cultures and followed after Baalim and Ashtaroth.

However, th

The other issue with Israel was that they wanted a king.

1 Samuel 12:13 KJV 1900

Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the Lord hath set a king over you.

We have outright rebellion by being overtly desirous of what you want without consulting the Lord.

And Israel justified their reasons by saying Samuel’s sons were perverting justice that they had “turned aside” after lucre and took bribes ().

1 Samuel 8:3 KJV 1900

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

It can be very easy to desire something such as money. Samuel’s sons had turned away from the Lord by placing their desires for money higher than their desire for the Lord.

And even today we need to be wary of our desire for money. Especially in the “Lucky Country” of Australia which has one of the highest standards of living in Australia today (recent GDP per capita rating had Australia around 10th in the world).

We’ve probably all heard the popular verse in Scripture:

1 Timothy 6:10 KJV 1900

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

other than the Lord, especially when we can point the finger at someone directly and make them the scapegoat for why you no longer fellowship.

And you yourself may have tendency’s towards this type of behaviour. Have you ever for someone’s opinion and where they’ve gone contrary to your opinion you’re quick to dismiss it? Or if you are asking someone a genuine question, but they give an answer you don’t really want?

While we have seen many great achievements through technology

What causes us to follow after vain things?

What caused Israel to follow after vain things?

Not turn aside from following the Lord

Introduction ============ In society today we have labels for each generation and with each label we associate characteristics that we attribute to people within that generation.

Throughout the last 4-5 years I have been through the book of 1 Samuel with my Young Adults Sunday Class who I co-lead with my brother Kingsley Cheung.

Introduction ============ In society today we have labels for each generation and with each label we associate characteristics that we attribute to people within that generation.

Introduction ============ * What is this sermon about?

Introduction

In society today we have labels for each generation and with each label we associate characteristics that we attribute to people within that generation.

And some of these labels do have some vailidity because each generation had it's differences and therefore it's own unique opportunities, challenges and problems.

And some of these labels do have some validity because each generation had it's differences and therefore it's own unique opportunities, challenges and problems.

In our passage this evening we read of Samuel speaking unto the congregation of Israel a history of their nation.

And some of these labels do have some validity because each generation had it's differences and therefore it's own unique opportunities, challenges and problems.

During those years several things changed:

For example, radio was invented in 1895, but wasn't really mainstream until the 1920's. Television was invented in 1927, but began to flourish after the second world war. And then there was computers, which were invented back in 1938, but personal computers weren't invented until the 1970's. And then there was the internet which was invented back in 1983, but wasn't really popular until the 1990's.

Sophia and Ethan were born

As we see our own nation turning further and further away from godly values and the bible we know and can relate to the heart of Samuel with his discourse. In our passage there are several obvious things which we'll discuss in greater detail here tonight:

1. The people's forgetfulness 2. The people's eagerness to turn away 3. The people's disposition to run to vain things

So we can see even with this brief look at technology that each generation had it's differences. And unfortunately what can happen with new generations is that because technology has changed since their fathers it can be easy to claim that previous generations don't simply understand the issues of today and any such opinions are redundant and/or irrelevant.

I had a career change

But God certainly provides a warning to every generation, regardless of what around us may be different to preceding generations.

In our passage Samuel shows us a pattern which has been common to not only the nation of Israel, but to all those who profess Christ.

I became

However, also during this time I grew more as a husband and father, all from my studies throughout this little book of 31 chapters in the Bible. Many of whom when going through this book would gloss over many of it’s precious gems seeing it more as historical narrative - which it certainly is as it helps us to see how the kingly throne was established in the nation of Israel, and the development of David as king - but I could relate so much to a failed man in King Saul.

But God certainly provides a warning to every generation, regardless of what around us may be different to preceding generations.

In our passage tonight Samuel warns Israel on the new generational shift, where Israel has now sought to be relevant, like their surrounding nations, in demanding a king.

The example God provides for His people by detailing these aspects of life should help to warn us of falling down the same path

In our passage tonight Samuel warns Israel on the new generational shift, where Israel has now sought to be relevant, like their surrounding nations, in demanding a king.

When we read through the book of 1 Samuel we see a lot of King Saul’s failures and if I’m anything like some of you when you read Scripture and see him failing time and again, you roll your eyes and shake your head and tut “Saul, Saul, what an idiot!”

In our passage tonight Samuel warns Israel on the new generational shift, where Israel has now sought to be relevant, like their surrounding nations, in demanding a king.

And so tonight I'd like for us to look at Samuel's sermon and to see how God has helped us to prepare subsequent generations - even though the technology may be different, the heart of man is still the same.

And so tonight I'd like for us to look at Samuel's sermon and the common problems generations had even though there were generational differences. The two I'd like to focus on that I hope help us to be wary of as we raise and nuture the next generation of godly men and women, are:

Yet with each of King Saul’s failures as a man who had only been married for a couple of years I could see my own failures in marriage. How often did **I** find myself doing or saying something stupid?

And so tonight I'd like for us to look at Samuel's sermon and the common problems generations had even though there were generational differences. The two I'd like to focus on that I hope help us to be wary of as we raise and nuture the next generation of godly men and women, are:

* Why do we need to talk about this today? * How will it affect the audience by hearing this?

And there are three aspects I'd like for us to focus on tonight that I hope help us to be wary of as we teach our children and raise up the next generation of godly men and women, and these warnings are:

1. Forgetting & 2. Forsaking God

No doubt if my story with all it “highlights” was penned similar to King Saul’s you would all be making the same reaction.

Forgetfulness ============= * What is it?

1. Forgetting & 2. Forsaking God

No doubt there are those here tonight who share the same sentiments whether they be as a father in the home, or even as a leader in ministry serving others, that we desire for the gospel to continue and for us not to forget and forsake the God of those who have gone before us.

1. Forgetting & 2. Forsaking God

“Ryan, Ryan, what an idiot!”

> [ KJV] 9 **And when they forgat the LORD their God**, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. Samuel's first condition mentioned in our passage is that of forgetfulness - "they forgat the Lord their God". And notice how this is seen starkly against the background of the previous verse where Samuel talks of their deliverance from out of Egypt.

No doubt there are those here tonight who share the same sentiments whether they be as a father in the home, or even as a leader in ministry serving others, that we desire for the gospel to continue and for us not to forget and forsake the God of those who have gone before us.

It was only through this slow process of going through 1 Samuel with my Young Adults class that I finally began to see my own failures. And at how pathetic my own repentance was when trying to apologise for the wrongs I had done.

So let's jump into our passage and start with Samuel's first point mentioned in verse 9:

If we've gone through the book of Exodus we would know of the powerful signs and wonders God wrought upon the nation of Egypt in bringing the Israelites up out of the land. And even with all these amazing signs and wonders they still "forgat the Lord".

I know as a father I want my children to follow the traditions of not only my wife and I, but also the traditions of their grandparents who were also saved. It's the desire that any godly parents has in being able to keep our children on the right path and that they have a genuine saving faith in Christ Jesus that regardless of what technology captures their generation and subsequent generations to come they will maintain their faithfulness.

So let's jump into our passage and start with Samuel's first point mentioned in verse 9:

> [ KJV] And when they forgat the Lord their God... Forgetting God ============== A common problem Samuel address regarding the generation which was led out of Egypt by the Lord and the generations mentioned in the book of Judges were that they forgot the Lord.

So let's jump into our passage and start with Samuel's first point mentioned in verse 9:

Even Israel's enemies knew of the wonders that the Lord had performed in Egypt with Rahab, almost 40 years after the event, said to the spies, `For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt` ().

> [ KJV] And when they forgat the Lord their God... Forgetting God ============== A common problem Samuel address regarding the generation which was led out of Egypt by the Lord and the generations mentioned in the book of Judges were that they forgot the Lord.

When I could see this and put it into action my marriage began to turn. Even my wife would acknowledge and agree that I was acting and doing things not like I used to do.

> [ KJV] And when they forgat the Lord their God... Forgetting God ============== A common problem Samuel address regarding the generation which was led out of Egypt by the Lord and the generations mentioned in the book of Judges were that they forgot the Lord.

We would know from reading through the book of Exodus at how the Lord had performed these mighty acts in delivering Israel up out of the land of Egypt due to their oppression and slavery, and because God did not want his nation residing in Israel, but back in the promised land of Canaan.

> [ KJV] 9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 10 **For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt**; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that [were] on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. Yet Israel had forgotten not soon had they departed and crossed the Red Sea! Let's have a quick walk through Exodus, starting in chapter 15:

So what brought about this turning?

> [ KJV] 22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? What happened?

Well the first thing that really becomes apparent about King Saul is his weak and meaningless apologies. Time and again we see him pursuing David or doing an act, such as offering the sacrifice, and not obeying. And yet each time he’s repeating the same act, it prompted the very first question in my own mind:

Perhaps the most striking part in the book of Exodus, once the Lord has delivered them out of Egypt after the tenth plague had struck and then Israel was delivered through the Red Sea was how quick it took for them to murmur against the Lord. If we take a quick look in the book of Exodus chapter 15...

We would know from reading through the book of Exodus at how the Lord had performed these mighty acts in delivering Israel up out of the land of Egypt due to their oppression and slavery, and because God did not want his nation residing in Israel, but back in the promised land of Canaan.

At the beginning of this chapter notice we have Miriam singing and dancing and praising the Lord for such great deliverance out of the hand of Pharaoh, and yet as we look a little further down in verses 22-24:

Notice this short passage is from - at the beginning of this chapter they were singing, dancing and praising the Lord for such great deliverance out of the hand of Pharaoh.

Perhaps the most striking part in the book of Exodus, once the Lord has delivered them out of Egypt after the tenth plague had struck and then Israel was delivered through the Red Sea was how quick it took for them to murmur against the Lord. If we take a quick look in the book of Exodus chapter 15...

At the beginning of this chapter notice we have Miriam singing and dancing and praising the Lord for such great deliverance out of the hand of Pharaoh, and yet as we look a little further down in verses 22-24:

Is this why my wife gets so frustrated with me? Because I might say the right things, I might be saying “I’m sorry”, but deep down there’s no true remorse.

> [ KJV] 22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And **the people murmured against Moses**, saying, What shall we drink? Now I know it can be very easy for me to be highly critical of the Israelites, especially here in an air conditioned room with a running water tap behind that door, but Scripture informs us that it only took 3 days before the murmuring began. This was a true test of their faithfulness unto the Lord, as Moses points out in verse 25:

And yet the murmuring starts 3 days later!

> [ KJV] 22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And **the people murmured against Moses**, saying, What shall we drink? Now I know it can be very easy for me to be highly critical of the Israelites, especially here in an air conditioned room with a running water tap behind that door, but Scripture informs us that it only took 3 days before the murmuring began. This was a true test of their faithfulness unto the Lord, as Moses points out in verse 25:

> [ KJV] 25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, [which] when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee. And we can see in the last verse of the chapter that there was an abundance of water available, had they waited patiently and rested on the assurance that the Lord would provide:

Do we bode any different? How long does it take for us to easily forget great deliverance by the Lord in our lives?

And the Gospel here is what helped. For those who’ve received the free gift of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for their sins you would similarly recognise the pattern:

> [ KJV] 25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, [which] when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee. And we can see in the last verse of the chapter that there was an abundance of water available, had they waited patiently and rested on the assurance that the Lord would provide:

And I know I'm guilty of it too. We can so easily be praying about a matter and asking for God to work in our lives or in a particular matter and when we see the Lord's work in our life and then when the event happens and we praise and thank the Lord for how wonderful He is, and we might keep this thankful heart for a short while, but then we forget. We forget to count the many blessings - we forget to name them one by one.

> [ KJV] 27 And they came to Elim, where [were] twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters. And this should be a reminder for us too. We can very easily forget when we have answered prayer and we too could start to grumble within 3 days.

First we acknowledge we have a problem - and the Bible calls this sin.

> [ KJV] 25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, [which] when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee. And we can see in the last verse of the chapter that there was an abundance of water available, had they waited patiently and rested on the assurance that the Lord would provide:

How many have prayed for work? Only to have it and then grumble about the boss or your work colleagues? How about a spouse? It probably wouldn't have taken long after marriage to discover they weren't as perfect as you thought they'd be. Or how about a church? How long did it take before you grumbled about something?

When we realise we are a sinner, we read of the condemnation of sinners and where they will go.

Why?

How many have prayed for work? Only to have it and then grumble about the boss or your work colleagues? How about a spouse? It probably wouldn't have taken long after marriage to discover they weren't as perfect as you thought they'd be. Or how about a church? How long did it take before you grumbled about something?

> [ KJV] 27 And they came to Elim, where [were] twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters. And this should be a reminder for us too. We can very easily forget when we have answered prayer and we too could start to grumble within 3 days.

When the seriousness of sin is seen and we are fed up with our sinful ways we seek for remedies on how to rid ourselves of the filth. And here is where every other religion diverges from the Word of God - everybody else will provide you with a “work” you need to accomplish or continually do to earn your way into favour with God; whereas God tells us that it is by His Grace we are saved and not due to our works.

It’s when we then rid ourselves of trying to earn salvation and instead apply the blood of Christ over our sins that we are then forgiven by God not because we deserve it, but because Christ’s love towards us was so great that even when we were enemies He dies for us on the cross so that the penalty of sin was placed upon Christ and not upon ourselves.

From here we are justified in God’s eyes because when He sees us He sees Christ, not we as individuals.

Because we easily forget?

When we read of what Christ had done of the cross on our behalf we receive the free gift of eternal life and

It can be very easy for us to fall into the trap and as was evident with the generation coming out of Egypt their murmuring didn't get any better.

How many have prayed for work? Only to have it and then grumble about the boss or your work colleagues? How about a spouse? It probably wouldn't have taken long after marriage to discover they weren't as perfect as you thought they'd be. Or how about a church? How long did it take before you grumbled about something?

When we are then saved, our sanctification, our daily walk and communion with God, is how God works in us His Will and good pleasure so that we no longer submit to the power of sin in our lives, but we walk differently - as circumspect, redeeming the time.

How many of you prayed for a job? I did.

In the next chapter we read in verses 2 and 3:

It can be very easy for us to fall into the trap and as was evident with the generation coming out of Egypt their murmuring didn't get any better.

In the next chapter we read in verses 2 and 3:

And we want to please our new master and king, not because we will enter into heaven due to it, but instead because we want to please Him for what He has done for us. And should we walk worthy and continue to peel away our sinful habits we become more like Him.

How long did it take for you to start complaining about your boss? 3 days?

> [ KJV] 2 And the **whole congregation** of the children of Israel **murmured** against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. And Moses even warns the people about their murmurings and how it is not against him (and Aaron), but really their complaints are against the Lord, the very one who helped bring them up out of the land of Egypt and who displayed mighty wonders:

In the next chapter we read in verses 2 and 3:

> [ KJV] 2 And the **whole congregation** of the children of Israel **murmured** against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. And Moses even warns the people about their murmurings and how it is not against him (and Aaron), but really their complaints are against the Lord, the very one who helped bring them up out of the land of Egypt and who displayed mighty wonders:

Sin should no longer have power over a saved soul.

> [ KJV] 8 ... for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what [are] we? your murmurings [are] not against us, **but against the LORD.** It shouldn't come as a surprise then that this generation ended up perishing in the wilderness because of their lack of faith and obedience to God's Word. And this should be a key for us - forgetfulness of God doesn't help to improve one's relationship with God.

How many of you prayed for a godly spouse prior to being married? I did.

> [ KJV] 2 And the **whole congregation** of the children of Israel **murmured** against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. And Moses even warns the people about their murmurings and how it is not against him (and Aaron), but really their complaints are against the Lord, the very one who helped bring them up out of the land of Egypt and who displayed mighty wonders:

> [ KJV] 8 ... for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what [are] we? your murmurings [are] not against us, **but against the LORD.** It shouldn't come as a surprise then that this generation ended up perishing in the wilderness because of their lack of faith and obedience to God's Word. And this should be a key for us - forgetfulness of God doesn't help to improve one's relationship with God.

And this is why realising this helped me in my marriage because I was able to apply the process of the Gospel.

> [ KJV] 8 ... for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what [are] we? your murmurings [are] not against us, **but against the LORD.** It shouldn't come as a surprise then that this generation ended up perishing in the wilderness because of their lack of faith and obedience to God's Word. And this should be a key for us - forgetfulness of God doesn't help to improve one's relationship with God.

Samuel also clusters several characters we find in the book of Judges regarding this same malady of forgetfulness. Let's have a quick look at what I'd like to refer to as the executive summary chapter of the book of Judges - :

How long did it take for you to start complaining about your husband or wife?

Samuel also clusters several characters we find in the book of Judges regarding this same malady of forgetfulness. Let's have a quick look at what I'd like to refer to as the executive summary chapter of the book of Judges - :

God Himself isn’t so much as interested in what is said, just saying “I’m sorry” and expecting this to be the magic words to unlock a new life of peace, joy, love, patience, temperance and self-control, won’t do.

Starting in verse 10 we read...

How about a church? Did you not pray to find a good God-honouring Bible-believing Gospel-focussed church? How long did it take before you started pointing out on all the church's problems and shortcomings?

Samuel also clusters several characters we find in the book of Judges regarding this same malady of forgetfulness. Let's have a quick look at what I'd like to refer to as the executive summary chapter of the book of Judges - :

Starting in verse 10 we read...

God knows it isn’t enough to just speak the words, but to have it come from the heart:

Romans 10:9 KJV 1900

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

The same principal here at salvation, should similarly be applied when we seek forgiveness from others.

If we are truly saved and are working on our sanctification, then we would try to discover more about the what and how of our sin.

Proverbs 20:5 KJV 1900

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.

Try and draw it out. Look at yourself through how God would see you - just as you did when you looked at yourself as a sinner in God’s eyes.

Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

> [ KJV] 10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, **which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel**. Notice once again this common thread - a generation here who knew not the Lord, neither did they even know the works of the Lord for what He had done for them in bringing them into the promised land. A generation who had forgotten God and not long after the previous generation with Joshua had passed.

Starting in verse 10 we read...

The problem with forgetfulness is that it allows for further criticism and the problem doesn't get any better, we only need turn to the next chapter in Exodus to see that the murmuring didn't help to improve the situation, have a look at what they say in verses 2 & 3:

> [ KJV] 10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, **which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel**. Notice once again this common thread - a generation here who knew not the Lord, neither did they even know the works of the Lord for what He had done for them in bringing them into the promised land. A generation who had forgotten God and not long after the previous generation with Joshua had passed.

What

> [ KJV] 10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, **which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel**. Notice once again this common thread - a generation here who knew not the Lord, neither did they even know the works of the Lord for what He had done for them in bringing them into the promised land. A generation who had forgotten God and not long after the previous generation with Joshua had passed.

> [ KJV] 2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. The combination of being discontent and forgetful produced an ungrateful heart. also speaks of this same trajectory for those who knew God, no longer glorified God and from this combination they were ungrateful and then became vain in their heart:

So what happened? Let's continue:

Proverbs 15:3 KJV 1900

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Beholding the evil and the good.

When you’ve seen the path you’ve taken to arrive at where you didn’t want to go, you now have an opportunity to discover more where and how you can cut yourself at the pass before you progress any further.

> [ KJV] 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: 12 And they **forsook the LORD God of their fathers**, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and **followed other gods**, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. 13 And they **forsook the LORD**, and **served** Baal and Ashtaroth. 14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. So here we see the big problem with forgetfulness - if we do not know the Lord, nor his works, we will not know what is permitted and what is not permitted by Him. Unfortunately we can't plead ignorance. God held Israel accountable for their actions, and this is echoed for us as a reminder even in the New Testament where Paul in the book of states:

> [ KJV] 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, **neither were thankful**; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. And remember what Samuel says regarding vain things - they cannot profit nor deliver (`v21`).

So what happened? Let's continue:

When you’ve seen the path you’ve taken to arrive at where you didn’t want to go, you now have an opportunity to discover more where and how you can cut yourself at the pass before you progress any further.

1 Thessalonians 4:4 KJV 1900

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

> [ (KJV 1900)] 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. What therefore is our remedy to this problem?

So how can we combat this problem?

> [ KJV] 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: 12 And they **forsook the LORD God of their fathers**, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and **followed other gods**, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. 13 And they **forsook the LORD**, and **served** Baal and Ashtaroth. 14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. So here we see the big problem with forgetfulness - if we do not know the Lord, nor his works, we will not know what is permitted and what is not permitted by Him. Unfortunately we can't plead ignorance. God held Israel accountable for their actions, and this is echoed for us as a reminder even in the New Testament where Paul in the book of states:

> [ (KJV 1900)] 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. What therefore is our remedy to this problem?

The Bible doesn’t want us apathetic towards our sin. The Holy Spirit wants to see us grow with our new found Saviour. But it means we need to be putting in deliberate steps and actions that cause us to have a right response, rather than a wrong one.

### Don't Forget! Well, I don't think it involves rocket surgery, but I think the easiest remedy to combat forgetfulness is to put things into place that we don't forget. But if you're anything like me this is a lot easier said than done! What are some things we can actually do?

### Don't Forget! It's actually not rocket surgery, the easiest remedy is to just not to forget. But if you're anything like me this is a lot easier said than done! What are some things we can actually do?

### Don't Forget! Well, I don't think it involves rocket surgery, but I think the easiest remedy to combat forgetfulness is to put things into place that we don't forget. But if you're anything like me this is a lot easier said than done! What are some things we can actually do?

> [ (KJV 1900)] 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. What therefore is our remedy to this problem?

Proverbs 15:1 KJV 1900

A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger.

### - Memorial in a book * If your quick, back over in our passages in Exodus in chapter 17, we have an excellent application (and a personal favourite of mine in Scripture) where after the battle against Joshua and the Amalekites, God commands Moses to write a memorial in a book regarding this battle and God's promise:

### Don't Forget! Well, I don't think it involves rocket surgery, but I think the easiest remedy to combat forgetfulness is to put things into place that we don't forget. But if you're anything like me this is a lot easier said than done! What are some things we can actually do?

* If we just flick over to the next chapter in Exodus, chapter 17, we have an excellent application (and a personal favourite in Scripture) where after the battle against the Amalekites, God commands Moses regarding this battle and God's promise:

### - Memorial in a book * If your quick, back over in our passages in Exodus in chapter 17, we have an excellent application (and a personal favourite of mine in Scripture) where after the battle against Joshua and the Amalekites, God commands Moses to write a memorial in a book regarding this battle and God's promise:

So if I’m aware of what caused me to sin and I take ownership on being able to put things into place to prevent myself from going down that path, then the final step is seeking help:

> [ KJV] 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, **Write this [for] a memorial in a book**, and rehearse [it] in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. See what God said to Moses - `Write this` Why? `for a memorial`... Why? to be `rehearse[d] in the ears of Joshua` Why? So that Joshua never forgets God promise that he will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

> [ KJV] 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, **Write this [for] a memorial in a book**, and rehearse [it] in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. Obviously by writing this down in a book for Joshua it would be something that he would have with him, rather than say, a memorial of rocks that would be left in a certain place.

### - Memorial in a book * If your quick, back over in our passages in Exodus in chapter 17, we have an excellent application (and a personal favourite of mine in Scripture) where after the battle against Joshua and the Amalekites, God commands Moses to write a memorial in a book regarding this battle and God's promise:

> [ KJV] 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, **Write this [for] a memorial in a book**, and rehearse [it] in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. Obviously by writing this down in a book for Joshua it would be something that he would have with him, rather than say, a memorial of rocks that would be left in a certain place.

Psalm 46:1 KJV 1900

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

And we see the evidence of this today?

But notice that it's not just a memorial written down and then forgotten about, God instructs Moses to `rehearse[d] in the ears of Joshua` Why? So that Joshua never forgets God promise that he will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

> [ KJV] 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, **Write this [for] a memorial in a book**, and rehearse [it] in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. Obviously by writing this down in a book for Joshua it would be something that he would have with him, rather than say, a memorial of rocks that would be left in a certain place.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV 1900

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

And we can bear testimony to this promise even today?

But notice that it's not just a memorial written down and then forgotten about, God instructs Moses to `rehearse[d] in the ears of Joshua` Why? So that Joshua never forgets God promise that he will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

And we can bear testimony to this promise even today?

We have the remembrance of Joshua penned for us down in Scripture, and yet we do not have a trace of the Amalekites except for what is told in Scripture itself.

God is there to help and similarly your brothers and sisters in Christ.

As we have the remembrance of Joshua penned for us down in Scripture, and yet we do not have a trace of the Amalekites except for what is told in Scripture itself.

And we can bear testimony to this promise even today?

So one way that can help us to remember is to write things down, and to reflect upon what we've written. You might want to do this at the end of every year, or if you have an Ahasuerus night and just can't sleep maybe reading what you've written in your book of records you'll come across something that will help you to reflect upon God's goodness in your life.

As we have the remembrance of Joshua penned for us down in Scripture, and yet we do not have a trace of the Amalekites except for what is told in Scripture itself.

Galatians 6:3 KJV 1900

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

As we have the remembrance of Joshua penned for us down in Scripture, and yet we do not have a trace of the Amalekites except for what is told in Scripture itself.

So one way that can help us to remember is to write things down as often as you are able, and to then go back and reflect upon what you've written. Perhaps have a different journal for each year as you might at the end of every year look back through the year, and perhaps what happened 5 years ago, or 10 years ago. You may even have an Ahasuerus night and just can't sleep and maybe by going back through your chronicles you'll come across something that will help you to reflect upon God's provision and goodness in your life.

But remember:

Galatians 6:4 KJV 1900

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

### Bear testimony Another thought that Samuel presents in his message to help us not to forget is in regards to prayer and testimony:

1. Create a memorial - things written down is better, especially if it's from your own hand. 2. Reflect or review it periodically. 3. Remind yourself of God's goodness throughout your life.

So one way that can help us to remember is to write things down as often as you are able, and to then go back and reflect upon what you've written. Perhaps have a different journal for each year as you might at the end of every year look back through the year, and perhaps what happened 5 years ago, or 10 years ago. You may even have an Ahasuerus night and just can't sleep and maybe by going back through your chronicles you'll come across something that will help you to reflect upon God's provision and goodness in your life.

### Bear testimony Another thought that Samuel presents in his message to help us not to forget is in regards to prayer and testimony:

Galatians 6:1 KJV 1900

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

> [ KJV] 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: When we go through periods in life where we are seeking God's direction we can have the assistance of the brethren by making our needs known. And this has a double benefit:

### Bear testimony Another thought that Samuel presents in his message to help us not to forget is in regards to prayer and testimony:

### Go to the Heart of Habits The easiest way not to forget is if things become a habit. There are many orthodox beliefs that have turned habits into rituals and people think that by partaking in the ritual it's what brings about salvation and favour from God.

So while I’ve acknowledged my wrongdoing, I’ve confessed it to my wife and to the Lord. I’ve told my wife what needs to change and what I’m doing about it and where needed I’ve sought her help.

> [ KJV] 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: When we go through periods in life where we are seeking God's direction we can have the assistance of the brethren by making our needs known. And this has a double benefit:

1. We have other brothers and sisters in Christ bringing our petition to the Lord.

An example of this even back in Jesus' day were the Pharisees who prided themselves on the fact that they fasted, and prayed, and gave to the poor. Are any of those acts evil or ungodly? Of course not, but what happened was that by performing the act, especially in the eyes of others, they were seen as being godly - yet their heart was far from Him. They did not perform the act due to sincerity of their heart, they sought instead the esteem of man.

1. We have other brothers and sisters in Christ bringing our petition to the Lord.

> [ KJV] 16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 2. Our brethren can help to remind us of our testimony. Just as Samuel can help guide the nation of Israel on the good and right way through his own experiences and relationship with God, so too can you help others.

See how something which is a good thing to do can have the wrong motives and therefore be a hindrance. The Pharisees were offended when Jesus chided them on them being white-walled sepuchlres. Why? Because they themselves thought they were holier than thou.

> [ KJV] 16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 2. Our brethren can help to remind us of our testimony. Just as Samuel can help guide the nation of Israel on the good and right way through his own experiences and relationship with God, so too can you help others.

1. We have other brothers and sisters in Christ bringing our petition to the Lord.

Let's take another example - going to church. Would going to a God-honouring, Bible-believing, gospel-focused, disciple-making church be a bad thing for you to attend on a regular basis?

Even in our Young Adults Sunday School class this morning we talked about this particular topic because David upon his coronation as king reflects back at how the Lord had worked in his life to make him king, and what was highlighted in our reading was that it was the elders of Israel that reminded David of God's promises to him.

> [ KJV] 16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 2. Our brethren can help to remind us of our testimony. Just as Samuel can help guide the nation of Israel on the good and right way through his own experiences and relationship with God, so too can you help others.

Back in we see the nation of Israel turning away from being directly led by the Lord through judges to seeking a king.

This was the spark that helped to David to reflect back on all that God had provided for him up to that point.

Even in our Young Adults Sunday School class this morning we talked about this particular topic because David upon his coronation as king reflects back at how the Lord had worked in his life to make him king, and what was highlighted in our reading was that it was the elders of Israel that reminded David of God's promises to him.

Of course not!

This was the spark that helped to David to reflect back on all that God had provided for him up to that point.

1 Samuel 8:5 KJV 1900

And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

1 Samuel 8:4–5 KJV 1900

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

1 Samuel 8:

So don't discount the opportunity to share your experiences and needs with others - to be a witness to some and to have others pray with you.

This was the spark that helped to David to reflect back on all that God had provided for him up to that point.

So the question then is: *Why would you attend?* Some of you may have a response like this:

So don't discount the opportunity to share your experiences and needs with others - to be a witness to some and to have others pray with you.

The nation of Israel had slowly been decaying through idolatry and lust. The priest of Eli had sons who corrupted the worship of the Lord at the tabernacle and Samuel’s sons were also not worthy by the elders to continue his leadership.

So don't discount the opportunity to share your experiences and needs with others - to be a witness to some and to have others pray with you.

### Make the Right Things a Habit Another way we can help not to forget is if we purposefully make things a habit. Now it needs to be cautioned here that there's a fine line between making something a habit and then that process becoming a ritual and then the ritual becoming the process of salvation.

+ Because I really want to meet a godly man or woman; or + Because I really love the worship service; or + Because I have money count on tonight; or + Because I have to.

Do you see what you've done with responses like that?

For example, it would be a good habit to go to a God-honouring, Bible-believing, gospel-focused, disciple-making church on a regular basis, right? By making it regular it means we make it a priority. It also helps us not to forget.

### Make the Right Things a Habit Another way we can help not to forget is if we purposefully make things a habit. Now it needs to be cautioned here that there's a fine line between making something a habit and then that process becoming a ritual and then the ritual becoming the process of salvation.

Why is the nation turning to David?

The problem with these responses is that they all do the one thing Samuel has pointed out to Israel first as their issue: you've forgotten God.

But does going to church make you a Christian? No, of course not.

For example, it would be a good habit to go to a God-honouring, Bible-believing, gospel-focused, disciple-making church on a regular basis, right? By making it regular it means we make it a priority. It also helps us not to forget.

But does going to church make you a Christian? No, of course not.

What are they turning from?

But does going to church make you a Christian? No, of course not.

God commands me to come to church in ...

And this is where a habit can become a ritual and then the ritual becomes the process or object of salvation because people think by doing the process I have earned favour with God.

Why are they turning from the kingdom of Saul?

> [ KJV] 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. If I'm a born again believer and have entrusted my soul in what has informed me through His Word by the sacrifice of His Son on the cross and by freely applying the blood over my sinful self I can be cleansed and redeemed not because of how wonderful I am, but because of His love and grace due to the blood applied to my life.

And this is where a habit can become a ritual and then the ritual becomes the process or object of salvation because people think by doing the process I have earned favour with God.

Any habit needs to answer the question: why do you do it?

What did the word of the Lord say about this?

The source of all that information came from within God's Word!

If we really want to make sure a habit isn't going to become some ritual which our children will forsake and hate then we need to know why we do it. So if I were to ask you why do you attend church, what would you say?

Any habit needs to answer the question: why do you do it?

Why are they ready armed for war?

+ Because I really want to meet a godly man or woman; or + Because I really love the worship service; or + Because I have money count on tonight; or + Because I have to - my folks would kick me out.

So if I'm going to make good habits, I must first of all make sure their sourced from the right place and that I have the right perspective.

+ Because I really want to meet a godly man or woman; or + Because I really love the worship service; or + Because I have money count on tonight; or + Because I have to - my folks would kick me out.

If we really want to make sure a habit isn't going to become some ritual which our children will forsake and hate then we need to know why we do it. So if I were to ask you why do you attend church, what would you say?

But do you see the problem with those responses?

Why do you attend church?

But do you see the problem with those responses?

+ Because I really want to meet a godly man or woman; or + Because I really love the worship service; or + Because I have money count on tonight; or + Because I have to.

With this

---

Because God has commanded me to and being a child of God I step out in faith and accept that He has my best interests in heart, just as a loving earthly father has their own best interests at heart.

Do you see the problem with responses like that?

The problem with these responses is that they all do the one thing Samuel has pointed out as Israel's first problem: you've forgotten God.

When Saul died the kingdom now turned over to David who was accumulating many mighty men to help lead the nation of Israel.

Why is the nation turning from King Saul?

So what would be a more appropriate response to why we attend church?

Please brethren don't diminish the importance of God's Word - it has been Satan's tactic since the beginning and will continue to be his primary dart throughout his existence: "Yeah, hath God said". All Satan has to do is to make something, anything, to be just a little more authoritative than God's Word. If he can succeed in getting just *something* then you will forget God's Word - it might not be instant, it could be something that slowly removes the authority of God's Word in your life, but Satan knows that's all he needs to do.

The problem with these responses is that they all do the one thing Samuel has pointed out to Israel first as their issue: you've forgotten God.

Having progressed slowly throughout the book of 1 Samuel over the last 4 years with my Young Adults Sunday School class I became fairly acquainted with King Saul.

What I didn’t expect in going through the book was how I could see my own self in King Saul - and it wasn’t because he was tall. I could see his failure as a father and leader.

And this scared me because I was a father and a leader within my home. How was I going to make sure I was going to direct family rightly?

Samuel warns the nation of Israel:

1 Samuel 12:20–25 KJV 1900

And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

Samuel is highlighting the issues Israel has had with the Lord and that this remedy of seeking a king will not help save them, hence his warning:

They are wicked. They quickly turn aside from following the Lord and follow vain things that do not profit or deliver.

They turn aside from following the Lord.

Therefore, the remedy is to fully serve the Lord fully.

King Saul treated God superficially. No different to the nation of Israel prior to his kingship. We read in the book of Judges a continual pattern of the nation going from affliction under the hands of their enemies to salvation through a deliverer chosen by God to restoring their relationship back with God, to being afflicted - over and again.

There are several characteristics we see about King Saul in Scripture:

For example, King Saul speaks of his son Jonathan quite harshly and rashly. Sometimes too impetuous. He angers his son, he speaks hard to him and all this causes him to raise up an angry child.

The Kingdom of Saul wasn’t a very successful one. He never had a period of sustained rest from his enemies as he continually had war against his the Philistines. And while he may have had a couple of wins his biggest battles with his own jealousy and anger were never conquered fully.

Saul’s life ends with defeat against his enemies the Philistines. Not only did he perish, but also his sons, Jonathan, Malchishua and Abinadab.

It was only his younger son Ithbosheth and his general, Abner, who survived the battle and who were able to continue Saul’s kingdom, but as Scripture states through the process of time:

2 Samuel 3:1 KJV 1900

Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

1 Samuel 3:1 KJV 1900

And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

One notable example include the following:

1 Kings 11:9 KJV 1900

And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

1 Kings 11:9–10 KJV 1900

And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded.

We have David’s son, king Solomon, who turns away from the Lord and who turned unto other gods. One such thing

Because, God commands me to come to church:

If my children were to ask me, why do we attend church, I have to point them straight back to Scripture:

What authorities and priorities do you have?

Forgetfulness ============= * What is it?

Forsaking & Replacing ===================== Let's continue with Samuel's sermon and move to other persons he speaks about in verse 9, that we in our Bible have in the book of Judges. If we turn over to the book if Judges, I'd like for us to look in chapter 2, for what I'd like to call the executive summary chapter of Judges - we get an overarching summary of what's about to happen throughout this book.

> [ KJV] 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 **Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together**, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. See, if I'm a born again believer and I've entrusted my life in what God has promised through His Word: by the sacrifice of His Son, Christ Jesus, on the cross for my sins and by responding in repentance of my sins and faith in His provision of Christ's blood applied over my life, and if He rules and reigns over my life then most of things I do will be due to the fact that He now has command over my life.

God commands me to come to church:

> [ KJV] 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 **Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together**, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. See, if I'm a born again believer and I've entrusted my life in what God has promised through His Word: by the sacrifice of His Son, Christ Jesus, on the cross for my sins and by responding in repentance of my sins and faith in His provision of Christ's blood applied over my life, and if He rules and reigns over my life then most of things I do will be due to the fact that He now has command over my life.

Note though the very first characteristic that Scripture mentions of those who are part of the band that joins David - they are ready armed, for what? For war. But not only does this tell us what they are doing in our passage, but also WHY they have done it - “according to the word of the Lord.” ()This then begs the same question for every one of us today:

> [1Sa 12:9 KJV] 9 **And when they forgat the LORD their God**, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. Samuel's first condition mentioned in our passage is that of forgetfulness - "they forgat the Lord their God". And notice how this is seen starkly against the background of the previous verse where Samuel talks of their deliverance from out of Egypt.

> [ KJV] 9 **And when they forgat the LORD their God**, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. Samuel's first condition mentioned in our passage is that of forgetfulness - "they forgat the Lord their God". And notice how this is seen starkly against the background of the previous verse where Samuel talks of their deliverance from out of Egypt.

I am not my own, I have been bought with a price ().

> [ KJV] 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. If I'm a born again believer and have entrusted my soul in what He has informed me through His Word through the sacrifice of His Son, Christ Jesus, on the cross to take the punishment for my sins that I deserve and having His blood applied over my sinful self I can be cleansed and redeemed not because of how wonderful I am, but because of His love and grace due to the blood applied to my life.

I am not my own, I have been bought with a price ().

Look here in verses 10-14...

If we've gone through the book of Exodus we would know of the powerful signs and wonders God wrought upon the nation of Egypt in bringing the Israelites up out of the land. And even with all these amazing signs and wonders they still "forgat the Lord".

It would be remiss of us to think we are armed and ready when we don’t even know how to arm ourselves and for what means we need to be ready.Hopefully you’ve read your Bible and you’ve discovered how you can be ready for war each and every day.

If we've gone through the book of Exodus we would know of the powerful signs and wonders God wrought upon the nation of Egypt in bringing the Israelites up out of the land. And even with all these amazing signs and wonders they still "forgat the Lord".

So if I want to do those things that are well-pleasing unto the Lord, I need to read what God has instructed me to do and I then need to actually do them. And they should naturally become habits in my life, because when I became saved the old sinful man that was in bondage to sin died and I then became a new creature - the Holy Spirit now takes up residence within my heart and begins the work of sanctification to help guide me in the way of life.

The source of all that information came from within God's Word!

> [ KJV] 10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, **which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel**. Notice once again this common thread - a generation here who knew not the Lord, neither did they even know the works of the Lord for what He had done for them in bringing them into the promised land (and we'll look at the possible cause for this a little later on). A generation who had forgotten God and not long after the previous generation with Joshua had passed. Let's continue further...

Ephesians 6:11–18 KJV 1900

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Have you put your whole armour on today? Or did you only put on a piece or two? It’s important as Paul explains here in Ephesians for us to put on the “whole armour of God” because the battle is serious.We are fighting in a war against:The wiles of the devil; andWrestle against spiritual wickedness in high placesIf we fail to put all elements of our armour on we become easy targets. I even remember one American preacher exhorting some Christians of the day by stating that there are too many spiritual streakers on the battlefield - all they have on is their helmet of salvation!But not only are we told to put the whole armour of God on because of the spiritual warfare surrounding us, but that we must be ready armed to give an answer as outlined in the slides:

Even Israel's enemies knew of the wonders that the Lord had performed in Egypt with Rahab, almost 40 years after the event, said to the spies, `For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt` (Joshua 2:10).

Even Israel's enemies knew of the wonders that the Lord had performed in Egypt with Rahab, almost 40 years after the event, said to the spies, `For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt` ().

Even Israel's enemies knew of the wonders that the Lord had performed in Egypt with Rahab, almost 40 years after the event, said to the spies, `For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt` (Joshua 2:10).

KJV 1900Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

So if I'm going to make good habits, first I need to know what a good habit will look like, and the source of that which is good comes from God's Word. Then when I establish a habit I establish it upon the foundation of God's Word and I make sure I have the right heart when doing so.

Serving Christ then isn't a chore or a bore, your new life is charged by the power of the Holy Spirit and sin no longer should have power over your body.

> 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: 12 And they **forsook the LORD God of their fathers**, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and **followed other gods**, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. 13 And they **forsook the LORD**, and **served** Baal and Ashtaroth. 14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. So what happened?

Serving Christ then isn't a chore or a bore, your new life is charged by the power of the Holy Spirit and sin no longer should have power over your body.

Have you put your whole armour on today? Or did you only put on a piece or two? It’s important as Paul explains here in Ephesians for us to put on the “whole armour of God” because the battle is serious.We are fighting in a war against:The wiles of the devil; andWrestle against spiritual wickedness in high placesIf we fail to put all elements of our armour on we become easy targets. I even remember one American preacher exhorting some Christians of the day by stating that there are too many spiritual streakers on the battlefield - all they have on is their helmet of salvation!But not only are we told to put the whole armour of God on because of the spiritual warfare surrounding us, but that we must be ready armed to give an answer as outlined in the slides:

> [ KJV] 9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 10 **For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt**; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that [were] on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. Yet Israel had forgotten not soon had they departed and crossed the Red Sea! Let's have a quick walk through Exodus, starting in chapter 15:

> [Jos 2:9-10 KJV] 9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 10 **For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt**; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that [were] on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. Yet Israel had forgotten not soon had they departed and crossed the Red Sea! Let's have a quick walk through Exodus, starting in chapter 15:

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

I love how Samuel puts it better than I can explain here in verse 24:

In our passage Samuel has highlighted for us the reason why the Exodus generation failed and why subsequent generation in the book of Judges struggled - all primarily because they forgot God.

When you forget the Lord you will soon very easily find something to replace Him with. We all will worship something. Some people like to think they don't worship anything, but in reality they just worship themselves.

I love how Samuel puts it better than I can explain here in verse 24:

> [Exo 15:22-24 KJV] 22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? What happened?

> [ KJV] 22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? What happened?

KJV 1900But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

> [Exo 15:22-24 KJV] 22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? What happened?

I know as a father I need to keep the importance of my relationship with God something which is clearly evident in my life. But I need to go beyond just what may appear as a ritual to my father because of the habits I do, but to explain why we do them - and my explanation and source needs to come from God's Word.

> [ (KJV 1900)] 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. God has done a great work in freely offering His Son to die on the cross for your sins - to take the penalty that you and I so deserved. We have the ability to choose, and I pray your decision tonight will be to choose Christ. Otherwise, as Samuel ends in our reading tonight:

So what is Scripture trying to emphasise for us here in this passage?

We have the sword which is our offensive weapon and the way we use it is by giving answers to questions in a meek and mild manner. We have the power of the Word of God when we use it and we allow God to work in the hearts and minds of those we come across within the prison.

Notice this short passage is from - at the beginning of this chapter they were singing, dancing and praising the Lord for such great deliverance out of the hand of Pharaoh.

Notice this short passage is from Exodus 15:22-24 - at the beginning of this chapter they were singing, dancing and praising the Lord for such great deliverance out of the hand of Pharaoh.

We have the sword which is our offensive weapon and the way we use it is by giving answers to questions in a meek and mild manner. We have the power of the Word of God when we use it and we allow God to work in the hearts and minds of those we come across within the prison.And this is why, when we turn back to our passage in that one of the common qualities and characteristics mentioned about the men who join David in battle are labelled as being:

Notice this short passage is from Exodus 15:22-24 - at the beginning of this chapter they were singing, dancing and praising the Lord for such great deliverance out of the hand of Pharaoh.

Notice here in `` that Israel forsook the Lord by serving gods that were round about them. It was a very convenient relationship and because they knew no different - they did not know what God required of them, they just did what was required of them by these dumb idols.

> [ (KJV 1900)] 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king. God is not willing that any man should perish, but that all should come to repentance ().

The second problem we see raised by Samuel in our passage is forsaking God.

> [ (KJV 1900)] 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king. God is not willing that any man should perish, but that all should come to repentance ().

And this is why, when we turn back to our passage in that one of the common qualities and characteristics mentioned about the men who join David in battle are labelled as being:

And yet the murmuring starts 3 days later!

But we can't plead ignorance. Did anybody stop to ask: Why do we worship Baal or Ashtaroth?

Forsaking & Replacing ===================== Back in our passage in Judges chapter 2 we read in verses 11-14 what forsaking God looked like to the nation of Israel:

--- Samuel has highlighted for us the reason why the Exodus generation failed and why subsequent generations in the book of Judges struggled - all primarily because they forgot God.

Do we bode any different? How long does it take for us to easily forget great deliverance by the Lord in our lives?

Being an expert in war would mean these men have had experience fighting within the trenches and would know how to fight, how to defend, how to pull rank, how to command and lead a band and how to strategise for battle.

Do we bode any different? How long does it take for us to easily forget great deliverance by the Lord in our lives?

Each of those men had a first day on the many battlefields they fought. And yet the only way they became labelled as “experts in war” is because they didn’t just fight one battle. After their first, they fought many more. And sure there may have been battles where they nearly faced death, some where they possibly had to admit defeat and retreat, but they never gave up.

Some responses could have been:

> 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: 12 And they **forsook the LORD God of their fathers**, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and **followed other gods**, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. 13 And they **forsook the LORD**, and **served** Baal and Ashtaroth. 14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Why would Israel follow the gods of Baal and Ashtaroth?

I know as a father I need to keep the importance of my relationship with God something which is clearly evident in my life. But I need to go beyond just what may appear as a ritual to my children because of the habits I do, but to explain why we do them - and my explanation and source needs to come from God's Word.

They are still enlisted.

Do you know that there will be people you will encounter who will test your strength and fortitude in this ministry (and no doubt in any other ministry where the gospel is proclaimed)? I remember with the juveniles there would be times when it felt like nobody listened, or other days when we only spoke to 1 person. We don’t emphasise those individual outings and then turn our back on the battle. We continue to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. No matter whether we get to speak to 1 person or 100, because once we give up and pack up and go home and close the ministry then those opportunities will never eventuate because we’re never there!

Look at verse 33:

And I know I'm guilty of it too. We can so easily be praying about a matter and asking for God to work in our lives or in a particular matter and when we see the Lord's work in our life and then when the event happens and we praise and thank the Lord for how wonderful He is, and we might keep this thankful heart for a short while, but then we forget. We forget to count the many blessings - we forget to name them one by one.

KJV 1900Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.

And I know I'm guilty of it too. We can so easily be praying about a matter and asking for God to work in our lives or in a particular matter and when we see the Lord's work in our life and then when the event happens and we praise and thank the Lord for how wonderful He is, and we might keep this thankful heart for a short while, but then we forget. We forget to count the many blessings - we forget to name them one by one.

The second problem we see raised by Samuel in our passage is forsaking God.

Besides the point of ignorance which I briefly mentioned there are two more I'd like to highlight within this passage:

+ Everybody else is doing it; or + We are worshipping God; or + I haven't had any problems (in other words, it must be right).

1 Chronicles 12:33 KJV 1900

Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.

Why?

Not only were these men of Zebulun experts in war, but Scripture adds they were expert in war with all instruments of war. I don’t think you would see any of these men bring to the battlefield instruments that are useless for battle. And this same applies for us when we go forth - we need to have the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.Do you know how to use your sword? Are you expert in using your sword? Now please understand that I don’t mean you need to have an answer for every question that ever arises regarding the Bible. And it also doesn’t mean that you don’t study. But you should know the essentials of what you believe as states that you should give a reason of the hope that is in you. Now I’ll admit there have been times when I’ve spoken to inmates who have asked good questions. Now I certainly don’t know everything about the Bible, but if they ever do ask me a serious question which I don’t know the answer to I openly admit the fact, and then I add that I will let know my answer on my next visit.I then go and do all the research I can - I even ask my team mates as some of them may know the answers, and then I make it a priority to attend the next visit with an answer.God may be using this opportunity to help grow you too!So be experts with your sword, know when to use it and make sure you’re involved in Bible study with your church. There’s no better way to learn more about God’s Word than by putting yourself in the way to get more understanding.Even though these men of Zebulun were experts in war and with instruments of war they all just didn’t do what was right in their own eyes. Scripture adds that these men could “keep rank”.

So why then would Israel turn to worship Baal and Ashtaroth?

Forsaking & Replacing ===================== Back in our passage in Judges chapter 2 we read in verses 11-14 what forsaking God looked like to the nation of Israel:

### 1. Convenience Scripture firstly mentions the reason the Israelites followed these other gods was because they were the "gods of the people that were round about".

Not only were these men of Zebulun experts in war, but Scripture adds they were expert in war with all instruments of war. I don’t think you would see any of these men bring to the battlefield instruments that are useless for battle. And this same applies for us when we go forth - we need to have the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

Do you know how to use your sword? Are you expert in using your sword?

Now please understand that I don’t mean you need to have an answer for every question that ever arises regarding the Bible. And it also doesn’t mean that you don’t study. But you should know the essentials of what you believe as states that you should give a reason of the hope that is in you. Now I’ll admit there have been times when I’ve spoken to inmates who have asked good questions. Now I certainly don’t know everything about the Bible, but if they ever do ask me a serious question which I don’t know the answer to I openly admit the fact, and then I add that I will let know my answer on my next visit.I then go and do all the research I can - I even ask my team mates as some of them may know the answers, and then I make it a priority to attend the next visit with an answer.

God may be using this opportunity to help grow you too!So be experts with your sword, know when to use it and make sure you’re involved in Bible study with your church. There’s no better way to learn more about God’s Word than by putting yourself in the way to get more understanding.Even though these men of Zebulun were experts in war and with instruments of war they all just didn’t do what was right in their own eyes. Scripture adds that these men could “keep rank”.

Because we easily forget?

> 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: 12 And they **forsook the LORD God of their fathers**, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and **followed other gods**, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. 13 And they **forsook the LORD**, and **served** Baal and Ashtaroth. 14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Why would Israel follow the gods of Baal and Ashtaroth?

First, we need to understand that Baal and Ashtaroth were the idols worshipped by the Canaanites as the storm and fertility gods. (This is why Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to summon rain upon the altar, which wasn't an unreasonable thing to perform, because Baal was, they believed, the god of storms.)

It was more convenient for Israel to worship in the groves and temples of their friendly neighbour idol rather than doing what the Lord required by establishing a place in each tribe for all to come and worship.

In fact at the end of our passage we read that all these men of war could keep rank.

How many of you prayed for a job? I did.

So if you can picture for that generation of Israelites who were now settled in the land, they were not like their fathers who were off in battle to conquer the promised land. Remember the tribes of Gad, Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh? They already claimed possession on the eastern side of the Jordan river, but were commanded of Moses to continue the conquest of the land to help their brethren.

> (KJV 1900) 13 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: 14 But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. If nobody has followed what the Lord required and had established a place of worship then what were the people to do? Sadly, nobody takes the initiative and it was more convenient to worship where everybody else was worshipping.

Besides the point of ignorance which I briefly mentioned there are two more I'd like to highlight within this passage:

How long did it take for you to start complaining about your boss? 3 days?

How long did it take for you to start complaining about your job? 3 days?

KJV 1900All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.

### 1. Convenience Scripture firstly mentions the reason the Israelites followed these other gods was because they were the "gods of the people that were round about".

For years they would have been separated from their families as they went about their faithful work of completing the mission in ridding the land of its inhabitants. It wasn't until the end of the book of Joshua where we read that they are finally discharged from their obligation and duty:

### 1. Convenience Scripture firstly mentions the reason the Israelites followed these other gods was because they were the "gods of the people that were round about".

### 2. Sustenance The second detail Scripture mentions is who they worshipped - Baal and Ashtaroth? What was so appealing about these gods?

How many of you prayed for a godly spouse prior to being married? I did.

This means they they obeyed orders from their commanding officer. And notice both in verse 33 and verse 38 that keeping rank, the obedience part, is mentioned along with the attitude or heart part.The tribe of Zebulun it states in verse 33 were “not of double heart” and all men in verse 38 “came with a perfect heart”.It can be easy to show you’re obeying, but your heart could be contrary. Jesus commands us in...

How many of you prayed for a godly spouse prior to being married? I did.

It was more convenient for Israel to worship in the groves and temples of their friendly neighbour idol rather than doing what the Lord required by establishing a place in each tribe for all to come and worship.

> [ KJV] 1 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, 2 And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you: 3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God. 4 And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, [and] unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan. 5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. 6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents. These men were very honourable in keeping to the command of the Lord - they had seen much of what Joshua had been privy to and were witnesses of God's faithfulness to Israel in protecting and going before them. Their children though were already living in their new homes, were already partaking in the blessings of the Lord with their possession.

It was more convenient for Israel to worship in the groves and temples of their friendly neighbour idol rather than doing what the Lord required by establishing a place in each tribe for all to come and worship.

Well Baal was considered to be the storm god and Ashtaroth was the goddess of fertility.

How long did it take for you to start complaining about your husband or wife?

KJV 1900And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

> (KJV 1900) 13 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: 14 But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. If nobody has followed what the Lord required and had established a place of worship then what were the people to do? Sadly, nobody takes the initiative and it was more convenient to worship where everybody else was worshipping.

*(This is why Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to summon fire upon the altar, which wasn't an unreasonable request, because Baal was, they believed, the god of storm. Surely the god of storm could send a bolt of lightning upon a little altar?)* In an agrarian culture no doubt the importance of rain and seed were very important and the people of the region of Palestine knew that both rain and seed was something they couldn't produce - it had to be some bigger external force which brought the clouds over and produced the seed.

So why then would these men fail to teach and raise their children in the ways of the Lord?

> (KJV 1900) 13 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: 14 But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. If nobody has followed what the Lord required and had established a place of worship then what were the people to do? Sadly, nobody takes the initiative and it was more convenient to worship where everybody else was worshipping.

A simple command, right?But how often are our hearts willing to do so. And I know I am preaching to myself too. I can be double minded in my thoughts and minimise the importance of what the captain of my heart has commanded me to do.And notice also the tribe of Issachar in verse 32 which also emphasises this point:

How about a church? Did you not pray to find a good God-honouring Bible-believing Gospel-focussed church? How long did it take before you started pointing out on all the church's problems and shortcomings?

### 2. Sustenance The second detail Scripture mentions is who they worshipped - Baal and Ashtaroth? What was so appealing about these gods?

So the generation that went to war and fought for possession of the land - they saw the miracles through the conquests, but those who were at home were wondering how the Lord could even provide for their daily needs.

### 2. Sustenance The second detail Scripture mentions is who they worshipped - Baal and Ashtaroth? What was so appealing about these gods?

1. Personal conviction

The problem with forgetfulness is that it allows for further criticism and the problem doesn't get any better, we only need turn to the next chapter in Exodus to see that the murmuring didn't help to improve the situation, have a look at what they say in verses 2 & 3:

The problem with forgetfulness is that it allows for further criticism and the problem doesn't get any better, we only need turn to the next chapter in Exodus to see that the murmuring didn't get any worse, in fact the congregation begins to use a lot of hyperbole in their communication:

KJV 1900And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

Well Baal was considered to be the storm god and Ashtaroth was the goddess of fertility.

Unfortunately while the men were now discharged from their obligation there were other tribes who were still struggling to complete their mission

And this is why in our passage we have this amazing display from the Lord in thunder and rain in verse 18 to remind Israel he isn't just a God for conquests and pulling you out of trouble, but also a God that brings forth the rain and provides for our daily needs.

Notice how these men of Issachar were men of understanding, of the times, and they knew what Israel ought to do. The only way they would know what to do rightly would be to be in God’s Word and to do his commands. And it’s the same for us. We need to grow in understanding of what God requires of us to do.We tend to forget what we need to do when something else has captivated our hearts more than Christ. And my team mates will know that I mention this cautionary verse at least a dozen times every year:

> [ KJV] 2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. The combination of being discontent and forgetful produced an ungrateful heart. also speaks of this same trajectory for those who knew God, no longer glorified God and from this combination they were ungrateful and then became vain in their heart:

> [Ex 16:2-3 KJV] 2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. The combination of being discontent and forgetful produced an ungrateful heart. Romans 1 also speaks of this same trajectory for those who knew God, no longer glorified God and from this combination they were ungrateful and then became vain in their heart:

And Samuel also provides us with what forsaking looks like:

And this raises an important question for all Christian homes here today - how is the gospel message going to be relayed through your generation?

*(This is why Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to summon fire upon the altar, which wasn't an unreasonable request, because Baal was, they believed, the god of storm. Surely the god of storm could send a bolt of lightning upon a little altar?)* In an agrarian culture no doubt the importance of rain and seed were very important and the people of the region of Palestine knew that both rain and seed was something they couldn't produce - it had to be some bigger external force which brought the clouds over and produced the seed.

> [ KJV] 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, **neither were thankful**; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. And remember what Samuel says regarding vain things - they cannot profit nor deliver (`v21`).

> [Rom 1:20-21 KJV] 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, **neither were thankful**; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. And remember what Samuel says regarding vain things - they cannot profit nor deliver (`v21`).

KJV 1900That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

First generation Christians are like the men of Joshua's era where they have seen and witnessed the Lord in their life. They know a life of sin and rebellion and the change in their life is as clear as night and day. And when they raise up a godly home they put in practices to help prevent them being a stumbling block to themselves and to their unsaved family and friends.

> [ KJV] 21 And turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain. How do I know if I'm forsaking the Lord?

So the generation that went to war and fought for possession of the land - they saw the miracles through the conquests, but those who were at home were wondering how the Lord could even provide for their daily needs.

So how can we combat this problem?

What is it that’s captivating my heart away from fully following the Lord?Make war with it. Destroy it. Put it away. Get serious with your sin.Another quality of these men that is highlighted is they are:

So how can we combat this problem?

The simple answer is - I've turned aside. Instead of "serving the Lord with all your heart" the vain thing has become the main thing.

Then by the time the second generation comes around they might not have as clear an understanding as to why there are such restrictions in the home, and why they have to do certain things, they may even begin to grow resentful towards these restrictions, especially when they compare them to friends at school. And this becomes more evident when as they grow older they are given a bit of freedom and they *do* outright rebel against the things of the Lord.

And this is why in our passage we have this amazing display from the Lord in thunder and rain in verse 18 to remind Israel he isn't just a God for conquests and pulling you out of trouble, but also a God that brings forth the rain and provides for our daily needs.

### Don't Forget! It's actually not rocket surgery, the easiest remedy is to just not to forget. But if you're anything like me this is a lot easier said than done! What are some things we can actually do?

And Samuel also provides us with what forsaking looks like:

And we can very easily justify the use of vain things in our life. They could be more convenient or could help provide for our needs in some form or another.

Or, it could be the second generation doesn't appreciate the things of the Lord because the blessings provided by God on the home are not clearly seen. In the case of the Israelites the husbands went out to battle and because of their actions they provided safety and comfort for their families in their new homeland. This second generation fails to see that the blessings of the Lord were because of the faithfulness of their father to God's Word.

* If we just flick over to the next chapter in Exodus, chapter 17, we have an excellent application (and a personal favourite in Scripture) where after the battle against the Amalekites, God commands Moses regarding this battle and God's promise:

Not only were these men expert in war, experienced with war, able to use the right instruments in war, but they also had the right spirit FOR battle. They were mighty men of valour.

* If we just flick over to the next chapter in Exodus, chapter 17, we have an excellent application (and a personal favourite in Scripture) where after the battle against the Amalekites, God commands Moses regarding this battle and God's promise:

> [ KJV] 21 And turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain. How do I know if I'm forsaking the Lord?

Jesus puts it this way:

So why do you follow the Lord? Do you even follow the Lord? Or do you just follow the Lord on Sundays?

> [ KJV] 21 And turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain. How do I know if I'm forsaking the Lord?

> [Exo 17:14 KJV] 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, **Write this [for] a memorial in a book**, and rehearse [it] in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. See what God said to Moses - `Write this` Why? `for a memorial`... Why? to be `rehearse[d] in the ears of Joshua` Why? So that Joshua never forgets God promise that he will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

KJV 1900Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

> [ KJV] 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, **Write this [for] a memorial in a book**, and rehearse [it] in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. See what God said to Moses - `Write this` Why? `for a memorial`... Why? to be `rehearse[d] in the ears of Joshua` Why? So that Joshua never forgets God promise that he will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

> [Exo 17:14 KJV] 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, **Write this [for] a memorial in a book**, and rehearse [it] in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. See what God said to Moses - `Write this` Why? `for a memorial`... Why? to be `rehearse[d] in the ears of Joshua` Why? So that Joshua never forgets God promise that he will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

> [ KJV] 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 **For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.** What is a challenge for me as a father with children is what do my children see as the main thing in my life?

The simple answer is - I've turned aside. Instead of serving the Lord with all my heart I'm now making the vain things in my life the main thing.

One final warning I'd like for us to briefly look at is in Samuel's closing summary in our passage:

The simple answer is - I've turned aside. Instead of serving the Lord with all my heart I'm now making the vain things in my life the main thing.

And we see the evidence of this today?

Valour is a word rarely heard these days, but it’s a word meaning “courage in the face of danger”. Each day these men went off to battle knowing that it could be the last time they see their loved ones. Yet while they knew their line of work was dangerous - they still went out.Now I know some of you may be thinking that I couldn’t possibly be involved in sharing the gospel because I just don’t know enough of the Bible to adequately answer every man the reason of the hope that is in me?But don’t let your youth stop you from being involved. Scripture explains that Moses, who talked with God directly, was the meekest man on the face of the earth () - and yet when those who tried to usurp his authority came along Moses was quick to be humble. He didn’t use his privilege and position for private gain, but sought the Lord.And even here in our passage we read of a young man, who is also labelled as a mighty man of valour:

And we see the evidence of this today?

How do I know if something is a vain thing?

Are they seeing a vain thing? Or are they seeing a heart of devotion fully serving the Lord?

> (KJV 1900) 20 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; 21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king. # Is the Vain Thing the Main Thing? If I were to summarise Samuel's summary it would something like the following: serve the Lord with all your heart and don't waver.

We have the remembrance of Joshua penned for us down in Scripture, and yet we do not have a trace of the Amalekites except for what is told in Scripture itself.

KJV 1900And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father’s house twenty and two captains.

Samuel informs us here at the end of verse 21 - vain things cannot profit, nor do they deliver. There is no spiritual benefit to them whatsoever. In fact, your life would generally be better off without those things than with them is the implication Samuel is alluding to here.

Conclusion ========== As mentioned at the start of this message tonight each generation has its opportunities, challenges and problems. Technology has been one aspect in daily life that has impacted each generation differently. With each change there have also been new and more vain things to follow, and access to things is becoming easier and easier.

Samuel informs us here at the end of verse 21 - vain things cannot profit, nor do they deliver; for they are vain. Does the thing help your walk, your life

Notice Samuel's warnings in his summary, if I were to summarise it further it would be: don't turn aside from following the Lord, because if you do you'll just follow vain things which can't deliver or profit.

So one way that can help us to remember is to write things down, and to reflect upon what we've written. You might want to do this at the end of every year, or if you have an Ahasuerus night and just can't sleep maybe reading what you've written in your book of records you'll come across something that will help you to reflect upon God's goodness in your life.

And it’s encouraging to see many young men involved in this ministry and sharing their testimonies, sharing a devotional and even giving a gospel message. Your enthusiasm and testimony with being involved and a part of the team by consistently turning up every month encourages me. So please don’t let your youth be a reason why you shouldn’t be a part of this ministry - being a mighty man of valour doesn’t require age or experience - it requires the right attitude and heart. The last quality I would like to touch on is that mentioned of the tribe of Issachar, which states in verse 32:

So one way that can help us to remember is to write things down, and to reflect upon what we've written. You might want to do this at the end of every year, or if you have an Ahasuerus night and just can't sleep maybe reading what you've written in your book of records you'll come across something that will help you to reflect upon God's goodness in your life.

I don't know what the next fad or change will be, but I do know that there will be opportunity for the next generation to forget God and forsake Him as being irrelevant.

Technology today offers many vain things to capture our time and some even do so by offering convenience.

Samuel summarises his message by reminding Israel of the following pattern:

Jesus puts it this way:

But remember:

KJV 1900And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

But remember:

And we can very easily justify the use of vain things in our life. They *could* be more convenient or could help provide for our daily needs - but is the vain thing becoming the main thing. You could be here physically, but you're mind is far.

--- And this raises an important question for all Christian homes here today - how is the gospel message going to be relayed through your generation?

Primarily, turn not aside from following the Lord - serve Him with all your heart (v20). Because the consequences if you do will be that you will follow after vain things which cannot profit or deliver (v21).

> [ KJV] 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 **For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.** It can be easy for me to state that I fully follow the Lord, but what do my children see? Are they seeing a father in vain pursuits or do they see a life fully devoted to the Lord?

1. Create a memorial - things written down is better, especially if it's from your own hand. 2. Reflect or review it periodically. 3. Remind yourself of God's goodness throughout your life.

The next generation are watching us closely on what we do, rather than at what we say.

+ Turn not aside from following the Lord - serve Him with all your heart (v20); + There are a lot of vain things in this world. Vain things as defined by Samuel here back in our passage are things that do not profit.

Jesus puts it this way:

First generation Christians are like the men of Joshua's era where they have seen and witnessed the Lord in their life. They know a life of sin and rebellion and the change in their life is as clear as night and day. And when they raise up a godly home they put in practices to help prevent them being a stumbling block to themselves and to their unsaved family and friends.

### Make a Habit For some things we need to be able to just make them a habit of our own daily, weekly, monthly or yearly life. And therefore the best way to keep this in memory is to make them a habit.

The men of Issachar had a good understanding of the times according to what had been revealed by God. We too know that our time is short on this earth and that the days are evil.

### Make a Habit For some things we need to be able to just make them a habit of our own daily, weekly, monthly or yearly life. And therefore the best way to keep this in memory is to make them a habit.

### Go to the Heart of Habits The easiest way not to forget is if things become a habit. There are many orthodox beliefs that have turned habits into rituals and people think that by partaking in the ritual it's what brings about salvation and favour from God.

So how will you know if you're partaking in activities that are vain?

> [ KJV] 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 **For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.** What is a challenge for me as a father with children is what do my children see as the main thing in my life?

Then by the time the second generation comes around they might not have as clear an understanding as to why there are such restrictions in the home, and why they have to do certain things, they may even begin to grow resentful towards these restrictions, especially when they compare them to friends at school. And this becomes more evident when as they grow older they are given a bit of freedom and they *do* outright rebel against the things of the Lord.

Conclusion ========== In finishing up, at the start of this message tonight I mentioned each generation has its opportunities, challenges and problems. Technology has been one aspect in daily life that has impacted each generation differently.

It's very easy for us to remember our birthdays, because the pattern in every year past has been its celebration. Same goes for Christmas here in Australia.

KJV 1900See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

An example of this even back in Jesus' day were the Pharisees who prided themselves on the fact that they fasted, and prayed, and gave to the poor. Are any of those acts evil or ungodly? Of course not, but what happened was that by performing the act, especially in the eyes of others, they were seen as being godly - yet their heart was far from Him. They did not perform the act due to sincerity of their heart, they sought instead the esteem of man.

It's very easy for us to remember our birthdays, because the pattern in every year past has been its celebration. Same goes for Christmas here in Australia.

Or, it could be the second generation doesn't appreciate the things of the Lord because the blessings provided by God on the home are not clearly seen. In the case of the Israelites the husbands went out to battle and because of their actions they provided safety and comfort for their families in their new homeland. This second generation fails to see that the blessings of the Lord were because of the faithfulness of their father to God's Word.

I don't know what the next fad or change will be, but I do know, just as we've seen with a brief history of the nation of Israel through Samuel's message here in `` that there will be more opportunities for the next generation to forget and forsake God.

Are they seeing a vain thing? Or are they seeing a heart of devotion fully serving the Lord?

1. They don't profit your relationship to your family and at the very least to God.

And it's also the same when we come together each Sunday to celebrate the Lord's day. Why? Because he rose from the grave on the first day. And on the Lord's day we here at Condell Park celebrate the Lord's table. Why? Because we want to remember what Christ has done for us on the cross - and the bread and the cup were memorials for us such that we wouldn't forget.

See how something which is a good thing to do can have the wrong motives and therefore be a hindrance. The Pharisees were offended when Jesus chided them on them being white-walled sepuchlres. Why? Because they themselves thought they were holier than thou.

We do not know how long we have to be able to continue to minister the way do in these prisons, but thankfully by God’s grace and while we are able we will continue to be used as soldier’s in God’s army to serve and do what he has commanded us to do.

Conclusion ========== As mentioned at the start of this message tonight each generation has its opportunities, challenges and problems. Technology has been one aspect in daily life that has impacted each generation differently.

But did you spot the irony that Scripture is trying to emphasise here?

So why do you follow the Lord? Do you even follow the Lord? Or do you just follow the Lord on Sundays?

My prayer tonight is that we, like Samuel, can be praying and guiding the next generation on that good and right way.

Let's take another example - going to church. Would going to a God-honouring, Bible-believing, gospel-focused, disciple-making church be a bad thing for you to attend on a regular basis?

The very gods the Israelites were serving and bowing themselves down to, ended up being the very thing that kept them in slavery!

Amen

One final warning I'd like for us to briefly look at is in Samuel's closing summary in our passage:

I don't know what the next fad or change will be, but I do know, just as we've seen with a brief history of the nation of Israel through Samuel's message here in `` that there will be more opportunities for the next generation to forget and forsake God.

Of course not!

So to finish up today I hope this passage has helped to spur you to be involved in the spiritual battle by being ready armed, equipped with the Word of God, understanding what God would have you to do, and doing it with the right heart and attitude.The result as we see at the end of our reading from the gathering of all these men was a momentous occasion with a great abundant feast and joy in Israel.And we similarly know from what Scripture tells us that there is joy in heaven when one sinner repents () - and our great hope is one day reuniting with our captain Christ Jesus in the clouds and participating in that great supper feast of the Lamb ().Amen.

They were sold into their enemies hands and they could no longer stand before their enemies. They thought they had comfort by serving the gods of their enemies, yet they were spoiled by them! Serving their gods did nothing.

### Closing Hymn: At Calvary #155

> (KJV 1900) 20 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; 21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king. # Is the Vain Thing the Main Thing? Conclusion ========== As we now wrap up, my prayer tonight is that you heed the warning of an old man thousands of years ago in the prophet Samuel. We don't know what the future will bring for our children, but I do know this - the Lord is faithful.

My prayer tonight is that we, like Samuel did, can be praying and guiding the next generation on the good and right way.

So the question then is: *Why would you attend?* Some of you may have a response like this:

Amen

By looking back into the past we can help steady our future. We need not get caught up in what we think may happen, because we've seen the Lord handle our past.

So how do I know if I'm beginning to go down that path of esteeming an idol greater than God in my life?

+ Because I really want to meet a godly man or woman; or + Because I really love the worship service; or + Because I have money count on tonight; or + Because I have to.

The combination of being discontent and forgetful produced an ungrateful heart. also speaks of this same trajectory for those who knew God, no longer glorified God and from this combination they were ungrateful and then became vain in their heart:

1. Well, in our passage, we once again see the importance of keeping what the Lord has done in remembrance. We need to know what the Lord says. We need to know what things TO forsake, instead of the Lord doing the forsaking of us. If we forget what the Lord has said and don't know how to apply his Word in our life then we will stumble and struggle in life and will look for easier shortcuts - we'll start compromising His Word.

### Closing Hymn: At Calvary #155

Do you see what you've done with responses like that?

> [ KJV] 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, **neither were thankful**; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. And remember what Samuel says regarding vain things - they cannot profit nor deliver (`v21`).

2. Be careful with comfort. We can easily fall into the trap of making decisions based purely on how fast it will enable us to be comfortable. But if our decisions aren't kept in line with God's expectations on how we should making those decisions we will end up idolising comfort.

The problem with these responses is that they all do the one thing Samuel has pointed out to Israel first as their issue: you've forgotten God.

And we see this a lot today with those nearing retirement.

God commands me to come to church in ...

Conclusion ========== As we now wrap up, my prayer tonight is that you heed the warning of an old man thousands of years ago in the prophet Samuel. We don't know what the future will bring for our children, but I do know this - the Lord is faithful.

> [ KJV] 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. If I'm a born again believer and have entrusted my soul in what has informed me through His Word by the sacrifice of His Son on the cross and by freely applying the blood over my sinful self I can be cleansed and redeemed not because of how wonderful I am, but because of His love and grace due to the blood applied to my life.

The source of all that information came from within God's Word!

So if I'm going to make good habits, I must first of all make sure their sourced from the right place and that I have the right perspective.

Why do you attend church?

Because God has commanded me to and being a child of God I step out in faith and accept that He has my best interests in heart, just as a loving earthly father has their own best interests at heart.

Please brethren don't diminish the importance of God's Word - it has been Satan's tactic since the beginning and will continue to be his primary dart throughout his existence: "Yeah, hath God said". All Satan has to do is to make something, anything, to be just a little more authoritative than God's Word. If he can succeed in getting just *something* then you will forget God's Word - it might not be instant, it could be something that slowly removes the authority of God's Word in your life, but Satan knows that's all he needs to do.

What authorities and priorities do you have?

Forsaking & Replacing ===================== Let's continue with Samuel's sermon and move to other persons he speaks about in verse 9, that we in our Bible have in the book of Judges. If we turn over to the book if Judges, I'd like for us to look in chapter 2, for what I'd like to call the executive summary chapter of Judges - we get an overarching summary of what's about to happen throughout this book.

Look here in verses 10-14...

> [ KJV] 10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, **which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel**. Notice once again this common thread - a generation here who knew not the Lord, neither did they even know the works of the Lord for what He had done for them in bringing them into the promised land (and we'll look at the possible cause for this a little later on). A generation who had forgotten God and not long after the previous generation with Joshua had passed. Let's continue further...

> 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: 12 And they **forsook the LORD God of their fathers**, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and **followed other gods**, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. 13 And they **forsook the LORD**, and **served** Baal and Ashtaroth. 14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. So what happened?

When you forget the Lord you will soon very easily find something to replace Him with. We all will worship something. Some people like to think they don't worship anything, but in reality they just worship themselves.

So what is Scripture trying to emphasise for us here in this passage?

Notice here in `` that Israel forsook the Lord by serving gods that were round about them. It was a very convenient relationship and because they knew no different - they did not know what God required of them, they just did what was required of them by these dumb idols.

But we can't plead ignorance. Did anybody stop to ask: Why do we worship Baal or Ashtaroth?

Some responses could have been:

+ Everybody else is doing it; or + We are worshipping God; or + I haven't had any problems (in other words, it must be right).

So why then would Israel turn to worship Baal and Ashtaroth?

First, we need to understand that Baal and Ashtaroth were the idols worshipped by the Canaanites as the storm and fertility gods. (This is why Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to summon rain upon the altar, which wasn't an unreasonable thing to perform, because Baal was, they believed, the god of storms.)

So if you can imagine for that generation of Israelites who were now settled in the land, they were not like their fathers who were off in battle to conquer the promised land. Remember the tribes of Gad, Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh? They already claimed possession on the eastern side of the Jordan river, but were commanded of Moses to continue the conquest of the land to help their brethren.

It wasn't until the end of the book of Joshua where we read that they are discharged from duty:

> [ KJV] 1 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, 2 And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you: 3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God. 4 And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, [and] unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan. 5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. 6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents. The reason why the next generation knew of the Lord was because their fathers were busy on the battlefield. Their fathers then were witnesses of the Lord's mighty acts driving out the inhabitants of the land, but when they returned home was God one who could also provide for my day-to-day living?

This brings up some issues for us today:

### 1. Absent fathers Fathers what are you doing in your homes to help show the relationship of your God is a God for your children too? What testimony do you have within the walls of your home when nobody else can see?

Remember the next generation did not know the Lord - there was no relationship. Share the relationship you have with your God to your children. Let them see how real he is in your life and how he helps you to make the decisions you do.

### 2. Preparing your child for different times Fathers, what are you doing in your homes to help prepare your child for different times. Joshua's generation were a men of war. They went to battle, they knew how to fight, they obeyed God's Word and they saw mighty acts. But what of the generation safely abiding in their tents that had never seen war? Their struggles were completely different to those their fathers faced - how are you preparing your child for something that perhaps you never know will come?

What if persecution were to come to Australia? What if there was massive famine? Or perhaps great prosperity?

The thing is, when I'm gone, I'm not going to know what my children or my children's children will face, but I know who does. And I know what His Word contains regardless of what may happen. And this is why, especially as a father

Is the vain thing the main thing

“Vain Things”

Why do we turn to vain things?

What causes us to turn aside from following the Lord?

Forgetfulness

Forsaking & Replacing

Overt Desire

Personal Testimony

Am I apologising like this?

How do I know if I’m genuinely repentant?

What would a heartfelt apology look like?

What does God see? What do you see?

So when will you turn?

David knew the Lord was with him

Turning from the Kingdom of Saul

Are you ready armed for war according to the Word of the Lord?

Expert in War

Keep Rank

Mighty Men of Valour

Understanding the Times

Joy in Heaven

Is the vain thing the main thing

“Vain Things”

Why do we turn to vain things?

What causes us to turn aside from following the Lord?

Forgetfulness

Forsaking & Replacing

Overt Desire

​

Personal Testimony

Am I apologising like this?

How do I know if I’m genuinely repentant?

What would a heartfelt apology look like?

What does God see? What do you see?

So when will you turn?

David knew the Lord was with him

Turning from the Kingdom of Saul

​

Are you ready armed for war according to the Word of the Lord?

Expert in War

Keep Rank

Mighty Men of Valour

Understanding the Times

Joy in Heaven