Chosen

Judges 6:1

"Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites."

It took only one generation for the Israelites to fall from grace, that seems to be a cycle. And as it mirrors our own patterns of collective thought, I wonder if the corollary is reflexive:

(1) It takes only one generation for morals and values to change for the worse and

(2) It also takes only one generation for morals and values to change for the better.

This is also recurring in portions of the old testament (Kings and Chronicles) when the Israelites had kings to rule over them, though, curiously, doing "evil in the eyes of the Lord" was not attributed to the Israelites themselves, but to the individuals, their kings. (God interestingly also used individuals to be at the focal points of His deliverance.)

Leaders as fathers/mothers of nations also bring either good or bad to the people as their children, and most especially the next generations. God holds them responsible as authorities He has granted them and they are possibly subject to higher standards. Similarly, as we are God's royal priesthood we are those individuals who are also held accountable to intercede and influence our families, our communities, our nations, and the next generations.

Ezekiel 22:30-31

"So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord God."

1 Peter 2:9

"However, you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

~12.09.2013