What other scriptures emphasize the importance of teaching children God's ways? Setting the scene—Nehemiah 13:24 “Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples and could not speak the language of Judah.” The people’s mixed marriages led to children who could no longer understand Scripture or worship language, so Nehemiah acted decisively. The episode shouts a timeless truth: if we don’t intentionally pass on God’s word, the next generation quickly loses it. Foundational commands from the Law • Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – “These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” • Deuteronomy 11:18-21 echoes the same rhythm, promising days of blessing “as long as the heavens are above the earth” when children are taught God’s commandments. • Exodus 12:26-27 – Passover is preserved through parent-led explanation: “When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD…’” Lessons from Israel’s history • Joshua 4:6-7, 21-24 – Twelve memorial stones by the Jordan existed so that “when your children ask,” parents could recount God’s miracle. • Joel 1:3 – “Tell it to your children; let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.” • Nehemiah’s concern mirrors Psalm 78:4-7 – “We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD…so that they might set their hope in God.” Wisdom for everyday parenting • Proverbs 1:8-9 – A father’s instruction and a mother’s teaching are a graceful garland. • Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” • Isaiah 38:19 – “Fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.” Prophetic reminders The prophets continually call parents back to covenant faithfulness, assuming children will learn through family teaching (e.g., Jeremiah 32:39 promises “one heart and one way” for parents and children together). Jesus and the little ones • Matthew 19:14 – “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” The Lord welcomes children personally, reinforcing our duty to bring them to Him. New-covenant instructions for households • Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” • Colossians 3:21 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.” • 2 Timothy 3:14-15 – Timothy’s story shows the fruit of faithful teaching: “From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Putting it together Across the Law, the writings, the prophets, the Gospels, and the Epistles, God unmistakably charges parents to pass on His truth. Nehemiah 13:24 exposes how quickly biblical literacy erodes when we neglect that charge, while the collected verses above outline a lifelong, all-day-every-day approach—telling, training, demonstrating, and celebrating God’s works so the next generation knows Him personally and walks in His ways. |
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