This
chapter contains some parting words from an old lawgiver. Moses had now
finished his work as the legislator and ruler and leader of Israel. He had
brought the young nation to the doorstep of the Promised Land. Unfortunately,
he could not enter in himself. And, as any good leader who is worth his salt,
he had made preparations for a successor and arranged the work that would
follow after he was gone. Hence, before he finally retired from his place, he
introduced his successor, Joshua, to the people. He also commissioned the
priests to keep the Law, and exhorted the people to obedience, encouraging them
to go forward to the conquest of Canaan, with the assurance of the Divine
favour and blessing, and pronouncing on them his parting benediction.
It
is said that God buries His workers, but carries on His work. No one is
indispensable. Moses was succeeded by Joshua, Eli by Samuel, and Stephen by
Paul. “The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But
the word of the Lord endureth for ever” (1 Peter 1:24-25).
A
leader’s most important work is to ensure that the work of God goes on when he
is gone. And the job of the next generation is to keep the on with the good
legacies their former generation has left behind for them. Today, as I am
writing this, I remember those who had been the leaders and warriors in God’s
kingdom in past days. They had committed this faith to my generation. I am
proud that my generation has not failed them. We fought hard to preserve the
truth, keep the faith, and keep the church from false teachings. My generation
has not turned to the right or to the left but remain steadfast in holding on
to the truth. It is now our job to ensure the next generation carries on with
this legacy of faithfulness and truth: God buries His workers, but carries on
His work.
Where
the responsibilities of the men of the past leave off, our responsibility
begins. Today, I’m satisfied that I have done my very best in contending for
the faith and ensuring the congregation which I am a member of stick to the
pure doctrine and worship of God. Yet, while I have done my very best to teach
and warn the next generation, I’m afraid the good work of the Lord may go down
the drain.
Why
do I have this fear? My fear is because the youths of today do not study the
Bile with the same earnestness as I did when I was young. When I was young, I
spent a lot of time on studying the word of God. I read the bible in one year
for a number of times. I read every debate and commentary written by sound
brethren that I could get hold on. I do not know if our youths have even finished
the whole Bible even once, not to mention, read a debate book. I’m afraid they
have not. Up to this day, I have not lived a day when I did not turn to the
Bible and read it. You see, without this love for the word of God, how would
the young defend the truth? The word of God says: “My people are destroyed
for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
People
are led to believe a lie because they do not know the scriptures (Matthew
22:29). One cause for apostasy to take over the church is a lack of knowledge
in its members of the word of God. One will never know the scriptures until he
begins to study it like he is taking a major examination. One cannot know what
error is until he knows what truth is.
If
one claims to love God, he must also love His word: “If ye love me, keep my
commandments” (John 14:15). If one claims to love God, he must be willing
to be a Joshua, who took over what his leader had left. Young men, the elders
of tomorrow are made today. Are you in the making?
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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