The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.'" So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come." (Exodus 16:31-33 NIV)
The Israelites were walking around the desert with no non-hostile neighbors to talk with. Everyone in the Israelite nation had already experienced God, made the experience their reality, and were living it out. The only people they had to share with were their children as they grew up.
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. (Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV)
The Israelites understood the importance of empowering people to walk together with God. So, they shared. They shared the stories. They explained the reasons. They answered questions. They empowered their children, and their children's children, to walk together with God.
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6 NASB)
Their faithfulness preserved these encounters, realities, and lives walking together with God for generation after generation. Now, we have them all preserved for us as well. Their faithfulness in sharing God through the generations has helped us understand how to walk together with God, too.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)
It wasn't until the days of Jesus that we were told to go out and share God with all people, whether they are hostile to God or not. Because of this change, we not only empower our children and our children's children to walk with God, we empower anyone and everyone we come in contact with. In doing this, we show our love for God and our love for them. Because a walk with God is the greatest gift we will ever have to offer.
This weekend, join us at Life Bridge to encounter the living God. Learn more about and from Jesus in daily devotions, prayer, and small groups to make your faith real. Let Him make a difference as you live it out through ministry and your daily life throughout your week. And don't keep it to yourself. Invite people to join you, empowering one more to walk together with God. See you there!
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