Second Generation Choices

Good Morning,

We all understand that each successive generation has to make their own choices. Each new group of believers must choose whom they will follow; though, feeling that it is their own choice is not exactly correct.  The choice is theirs to make but not their choice to determine the end result.

1 Samuel 8:1 “And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.”

vs. 2 “Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.”

vs. 3 “And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.”


Samuel had led Israel for decades, and his clear direction had brought them peace and blessings.  The sons, though, turned aside to follow bribes and to seek money.

The dangerous problem is not that these young men ruined their own lives,  but that they hurt the decision making of others.  There will always be others who are watching and following us.  When one generation is blessed, and the next generation does not follow their example, the third group does not jump back to the original generation to gain the blessing of yesteryear; instead, they go to the world for direction.  Notice the desires and motives of the men.

vs. 4 “Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,”

vs. 5 “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.”

The people said, “…make us a king” because they wanted to be like the nations around them.  They did not ask Samuel to find them someone like himself who would keep them in the ways of the Lord.  Instead, they told Samuel to give them a king.  They tired of the unusual and separated living; they tired of serving an unseen Deity Who ruled and blessed, but left them somewhat distant from the ways of their neighbors.    Make no mistake, serving the Lord is a constant battle; not that serving the world is a picnic, but we can be "weary in well doing.” (Galatians 6:9)

Samuel had given the example of righteous and separated living.  Samuel had shown them the way to walk, but when his children chose another path, the people ran to the world.  

The danger to themselves was only minimal, but they also brought about a change in society when they forsook the path their father had taught them.  

It seems that many young people want to feel innovative, yet it is clear beyond doubt that they never invent a new path; they simply turn to the world.  Their turn might be toward the world's music, or worldly dress and activities, or even a dramatic change to approve liquor and shameful entertainment – but one thing is sure – there was no innovation!    

All the foolish youth did was buy into the lie of Satan that he could turn to his own path and somehow think he could improve on age-old principles of life.    History teaches that in regards to religion and Bible belief, there is no improvement to be made upon the basic teachings — the basics were set in the time of Christ.  Now we could add a bus to the great commission, but we cannot reinvent the marching orders for the church.  A husband could add a cruise to ways he shows love to his wife while striving to love her as Christ loved the church, but there is nothing to improve when the love of Christ is our example.  To love not the world neither the things of the world cannot be improved upon; it can only be implemented according to our society.   

For generations, some young people have stayed true while others sought new manners and methods.  Always, the new ways failed: in turning to the world for new methods, many people (usually the next generation) are hurt or forgotten.  The faithful young and new converts whom God pulled out of the world always seek the pure religion of our Lord and keep the work going: always outside the mainstream of religion, always mocked by the world, and always despised for their literal acceptance of the Bible.  

Samuel's sons did much harm: a theocracy was abandoned for a monarchy; a sad trade to say the least, and a trade that would never be righted (until the King of kings comes to set up His own kingdom).  Listen to your fathers; their advice will not hurt, and it will probably save a follower of whom you are not even aware. 

Pastor