THE FIVE GENERATIONS
[p. 398] THE FIVE GENERATIONS
Proverbs 30: 11 - 14; John 1: 11 - 13; Isaiah 44: 3 - 5
It will be seen that a generation is spoken of in each scripture we have read. There are four generations named in what we read in Proverbs 30, while only one generation is named in the verse we read in John’s gospel. My purpose is to speak to all who are here and especially to the young. I would like to ask this question: To which of these generations which are described in the scriptures we have read do you belong? It can be plainly seen that the one whose words are written in Proverbs 30 was an exact observer, and among the many things which he saw he speaks of four different generations on the earth. The thought of a generation has its source in God, for He is the Father; but these different generations of which we have read in Proverbs have nothing of God’s character. They represent man at a distance from God and begotten of a father other than God, as the Lord Himself said to the Jews, “Ye are of the devil, as your father”, John 8: 44. The devil has got a footing in the world, and he has become a father, not only to demons, but to men. The apostle Paul met a man whom he called a “son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness”, Acts 13: 10. It has become thus with men who have shut God out of their knowledge. Do not think that I mean that all men, women and children in the world are of the devil, far from it; but nevertheless it is a serious truth that if any despise the testimony of God in Christ, and continue in that despising, he will at length, if he is not already thus, be marked by the devil. So the young people should be on their guard and not neglect God’s precious light in Christ, which has come so near to them, even maybe in their own parents. If they continue to neglect and refuse this blessed light, it may result in their coming right under the control of the devil. We have often noticed the particular denial of God and unbelief that marks those who were born and brought up by [p. 399] christian parents and who have despised the grace of God. In Elisha’s time it was the sons of the prophets who said to him after Elijah had gone up into heaven that after all it might not be so. They were the sons of the prophets but nevertheless they were unbelieving as to Christ’s resurrection and ascension. So we see that they pressed Elijah to let fifty men go and seek after him and make it clear that it really was true that he had gone up to heaven. So we find afterwards in the same chapter, a generation whose children, when Elisha comes by, mocked him and said to him, “Go up, bald head!”, 2 Kings 2: 23. From this we can understand that when unbelief comes into the heart, there is quickly opposition to God’s servants. That is why these children came under the judgment of God, and it says that two she-bears came out of the wood and tore forty-two of them. That is a solemn warning to the young people not to despise the truth and not to give room for unbelieving thoughts in their hearts. If we withdraw ourselves from the influence of the Spirit of God and the influence of Christ we shall come under the influence of the god of this world, he who blinds the eyes of the unbelieving, so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ should not shine forth for them. They have opposed the testimony of God and are thus a generation which is exposed to the judgment of God.
In these four different generations we can see how opposition to God arose in the world. It says first that “there is a generation that curseth their father and doth not bless their mother”. It is not hard to see the great inclination that is found in a child to be indifferent to its parents. Disobedience to parents is something which specially marks the last time. Anyone who has travelled a little in the world will have noticed that, and I have no doubt that you have also noticed the same thing here. Think of being indifferent to your parents, and yet they are your best friends! God has entrusted you to your parents’ care. As parents they represent Him. Fathers are exhorted to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. God has therefore set authority there where it will be least felt.
[p. 400] Authority which is exercised in love should not be despised but coveted. Think of the great advantage to be children of God-fearing parents. God has not only given your parents authority but they have received light from Him and know His grace and love. Everything is brought near to you; you have blessing within your range every day. When you are obedient to this authority you will come directly under God’s authority. Thus you will learn to know the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour in the same way that He is your parents’ Saviour. You will then be able to say, ‘He is my God and my father’s God’. But we have read of a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. What a serious thing that is, dear young friends, for in verse 17 we see the result, “The eye that mocketh at a father, and despiseth to obey a mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it”. Then we read “of a generation that are pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness”. This generation includes a very great part of mankind, namely those who are satisfied with a religious position and yet it says that they are not washed from their filthiness. There are thousands, yes millions, of people who are only christians in name. They say that they are following their fathers’ religion. They observe outward customs or forms. They may be entered as church members and it might be that they are elders of the church, it is even possible that they are gospel preachers, but it may be with them, as it says here, that they are not washed from their filthiness. As I have already said this generation includes a great proportion of mankind and if there is anyone here who is resting in his own religious activity or form I would earnestly ask you to consider this scripture. It says, “A generation that are not washed from their filthiness”. It may be that it has never struck you that you are filthy, but if you are not converted and born anew, if your sins are not forgiven by reason of the blood of Jesus, whatever you might be in this world, you are not washed from your filthiness; yes, even your own righteousness is filthy, as it says, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”, Isaiah 64: 6. What use can [p. 401] God have for such clothing? Even we would not use such.
Put aside therefore every thought you might have had of being pleasing to God in your own righteousness. God Himself has righteousness for you; for the righteousness of God is revealed. Put your righteousness and pride aside and confess that you are a helpless sinner before God. Then you will receive God’s righteousness as your portion, as it is written, “But now without law righteousness of God is manifested, borne witness to by the law and the prophets; righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ towards all, and upon all those who believe”, Romans 3: 21, 22. The most wicked man in this place can have this righteousness, yes, the most religious can also have it if he bows himself in confession before God, for His righteousness is for all, but it is only upon all who believe.
As we go on we see in verse 13 another generation. It is not now one which has a religious appearance. It is possible that they can have children who are obedient but they are full of fleshly pride. They may be proud of their descent, of their training, of their riches and of their friends. The eyelids of this generation — how are they lifted up! They are like the rich man the Lord spoke of who lived every day in splendour and cheer. He despised Lazarus, the poor beggar. But the day came when the rich man died, and we read that he lifted up his eyes in hades. Humble yourself therefore before God, for otherwise the day will come when you will be forced to humble yourself. The rich man would fain have his tongue cooled by Lazarus’ finger. We also read that Lazarus was comforted, but the rich man suffered. Let us therefore watch that we do not belong to this generation, this proud generation.
Then we read of “a generation whose teeth are swords, and their jaw-teeth knives”. These are the covetous and self-seeking men who do not hesitate to take the life of their fellow men in order to get their profit; those who have not the least sympathy for the wretched and poor among men. If there is such a person here, this is your opportunity. Cast from you your greed, for evil lust and unbridled desire are said to be idolatry, Colossians 3: 5. I believe that [p. 402] these four generations give us a description of the whole race of men, with the exception of the children of God, and we come now to them in our scripture in John. John was himself a family man. He speaks of “the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father”, and he shows us a generation who are brought into this blessed position. The Son of God has come out to us, dear friends, to declare the Father. He was seen here by men as the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. He was presented to His own after the flesh as it says, “He came to his own, and his own received him not”, John 1: 11. Think of what grace it was that He should come to them. He came Himself; He did not send another. He went about amongst the Jews as the Father’s beloved Son, full of grace and truth. I appeal to everyone here who has not yet received Christ. He is presented to you now in the gospel so that you might receive Him. In Luke 19 we read of a man called Zacchaeus who received Jesus into his house with joy, and when Jesus was in that man’s house He said of him that he was a son of Abraham. He was set amongst those belonging to the family of faith and the house of God, and you are invited now to come into the circle of the family of faith. It says therefore that he was a son of Abraham. But to be a son of Abraham is the same as being a believer. John says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to be children of God”, John 1: 12. You may say that you understood that to mean that we were the children of God because we were born of God, but notice that it says that to all those who received Christ He gave the right to be children of God. They have thus the right to take that place. Think of having the right to take such a position. Think what it is to be the children of God. Leave for ever the four generations we have spoken about. You have the choice. Most here have made their choice; they have received Christ, and God has given us who have received Christ, the right to be His children. John says, “See what love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God”, 1 John 3: 1. Notice that it says, “We should be called”. Think what an [p. 403] honour is shown us even now while we are on earth that we should bear the character of the fifth generation. The others are marked by Satan and the world, but this generation which John speaks of is marked by Christ. After John has mentioned this truth that we have the right to be children of God, the further truth comes forward, namely that we are born of God. We read, “Who have been born, not of blood, nor of flesh’s will, nor of man’s will, but of God”, John 1:13. What a generation that is, dear friends. This fifth generation bears the mark of God’s nature, for it is born of God.
I would very much desire to be able to show how the children of believers can come into this glorious position. Isaiah 44 throws some light on it. It says there, “I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring”, Isaiah 44: 3. This is a distinct word to parents and this remarkable word, which was said to the jailer, comes particularly before me, “Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house”, Acts 16: 31. God knows that a man loves his house and therefore when God saves a man or his wife He also wants to save their children; but how great is the responsibility they have. The question is whether they will belong to this world or to God’s world. We read that Heman had fourteen sons (1 Chronicles 25: 5) and these fourteen sons were under their father’s leading in the song in the house of Jehovah. What a great blessing God had given him in so many sons who represented him in the house of God. “Happy is the man that hath filled his quiver with them. They shall not be ashamed when they speak with enemies in the gate”, Psalm 127: 5. This psalm refers to the house of God. The gospel does not only include you who are parents but also your children, but how often we see the opposite amongst believers as it happened with Abraham and Lot. God knew that Abraham would command his children and his household after him. Abraham lived in communion with God, and it says that he lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. He lived in tents and had no connection with this world and did not let his children have to do with this world; they walked in it as strangers [p. 404] and pilgrims. But Lot took up a position in the gate of Sodom. The angels who came to Sodom to liberate him from it said to him, “Whom hast thou here besides? a son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and all whom thou hast in the city — bring them out of the place”, Genesis 19: 12. They were come to get Lot, his wife, family and relations out of Sodom, but when Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law he was in their sight as one that jested. That one should speak of destruction, who held a high position in the city, was certainly incredible and therefore his sons-in-law perished in the destruction of Sodom. We read that the angels urged Lot, and said, “Up, take thy wife and thy two daughters who are present, lest thou perish in the iniquity of the city”, Genesis 19: 15. But, dear friends, notice the serious thing: his wife looked back from behind him. What a word of warning to those who are wives. The Lord Himself said, “Remember the wife of Lot”, Luke 17: 32. It is sad to think that she looked back from behind her husband, and she became a pillar of salt. It is the mother who particularly influences the development of the child’s character and if she looks back from behind her husband so her children will also look back. They will prefer Sodom; that is, they will prefer this world to the house of God, but, beloved parents, this word in Isaiah is for you, “I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed”, it is God’s promise, “I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring” (Isaiah 44: 3), and then it says that they should spring up among the grass. How much grass is there in your house? The grass is a type of spiritual life. After the dry land appeared in Genesis 1 we see that the earth brought forth grass. Grass is, as I said, a type of spiritual life. That should be seen in the houses of God’s people. When God’s word and God’s Spirit are given room in our houses there will be holy conversation and our children will thus spring up there as among the grass. The fruits of this will show themselves, for it says that they will spring up as willows by the watercourses. We shall find that such young men and women will quickly interest themselves in the word of God and [p. 405] search out the people of God. I say that to encourage the young people who may have begun to interest themselves in the meetings. They have begun to show the character which is referred to in the willows by the water-courses. I believe that the water-courses speak of the activity in the testimony through the Spirit. The young must have something which attracts them to become free of the world, and nothing is more powerful to that end than the Spirit’s living water. A young believer, who is thus drawn, begins to accept responsibility in the Lord’s things and can say, “I am Jehovah’s”. What a day that is for a young man who lives in the happy surroundings of his parents’ house, when he steps out and says, “I am Jehovah’s”. Have you, dear friend, come so far? Have you said, “I am Jehovah’s”? You belong to Him because He has gone down into death for you. He has rights over you and He wants to hear you say, “I am Jehovah’s”. So it says, “Another shall call himself by the name of Jacob”, Isaiah 44: 5. You come to the understanding of what a God you have and that you have a service for Him. We read further, “Another shall write with his hand: I am Jehovah’s, and surname himself by the name of Israel”, Isaiah 44: 5. As one who has received the Holy Spirit you will understand that you belong to a spiritual fellowship, for the name Israel has a spiritual meaning. When you write this with your hand you have given yourself to Him for time and for eternity. You are the Lord’s and your name is Israel. God said to Jacob that his name should be called Israel for as a prince he had wrestled with God and with men. So you belong to an honourable family. All this world’s glory becomes dark when you come into an understanding of your calling and that you belong to the fifth generation of which we have spoken. What a position this generation has before God! They are already His children here on earth and God has Himself given them a name of honour.
I appeal now to the young. These wonderful things are presented to you in the gospel. By accepting Christ and believing on Him you come into the possession of all these great things and they are yours for all eternity.