Dear Children!

I love the book of Deuteronomy. The children of Israel are about to enter the land that God wants to give them. Note: Israel is always described as children. See the problem? And Moses is not going on this trip. Moses is like the parent of a child going off to college for the first time. On one hand you do not know what they are capable of and on the other hand you know exactly what they are capable of. There is this overwhelming feeling my child needs me to go with them. I must go! However, I can't go.

So Moses writes a letter to his children explaining how to live life and conduct themselves in a new land. Basically he tells them to know the rules and obey them. Deuteronomy actually means repetition of the law. If you do this you will be blessed. Now the kicker - And when you are blessed, when you live in houses you didn't build, when you eat and are satisfied, when your herds grow - don't forget that it was God who brought you out of slavery and gave you this land.

Sociologists are noticing a trend today among our young people. There is a growing sense of discontentment. Never before have we had so much. Never before have we enjoyed things so little. Their thesis - smaller families tend to produce self indulgent children. In a large family you share your room, closet, and bed. Don't even think about your own bathroom. Take a number! Mealtime is at 5:30 if you are here you can eat. If you do not like what we are having your brother will eat it. You see a small family bends to the child. A large family demands the child to bend for the family.

I am not saying we need to have more children. I am saying that we need to grow up. Remember God. Be content. Do not covet. Be thankful. Amen!

April 14, 2010