How can we apply "ask the former generations" to our daily decision-making? Understanding Job 8:8 “Please inquire of past generations, and consider the discoveries of their fathers.” (Job 8:8) Bildad’s advice to Job underscores a timeless principle: God often channels wisdom through those who have walked the path before us. Scripture invites us to value, remember, and apply that tested counsel. Why Ancient Wisdom Matters • God’s truth is unchanging; what proved true yesterday remains true today (Psalm 119:89). • Generation-to-generation testimony protects us from repeating errors (1 Corinthians 10:11). • Tradition, when anchored in Scripture, supplies perspective broader than our momentary view (Deuteronomy 32:7). Practical Ways to Seek the Wisdom of the Former Generations 1. Read and reread Scripture as firsthand testimony • The Bible is the primary “former generation” record—God-breathed and fully reliable (2 Timothy 3:14-17). 2. Consult faithful believers who have finished long seasons well • Elders, mentors, seasoned pastors: “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you” (Hebrews 13:7). 3. Explore biographies and writings of historic Christians • Augustine, Luther, Wesley, Corrie ten Boom—lives that showcase Scripture lived out. 4. Listen to family stories that highlight God’s faithfulness • Many households carry accounts of answered prayer, provision, or correction that still guide today. 5. Observe congregational memory • Church minutes, mission histories, and testimonies reveal proven kingdom priorities. Filtering Counsel Through Scripture • Any advice—ancient or modern—must align with clear biblical teaching (Acts 17:11). • Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” • If counsel contradicts God’s Word, discard it, no matter how venerable the source (Galatians 1:8). Everyday Decisions Shaped by Tested Wisdom • Finances: Follow principles of stewardship modeled in past saints who trusted God over materialism. • Relationships: Learn forgiveness from Joseph (Genesis 50:20) and covenant loyalty from Ruth. • Work ethic: Emulate Bezaleel’s excellence empowered by the Spirit (Exodus 31:1-5). • Suffering: Imitate Job’s perseverance and the early church’s joyful endurance (James 5:10-11). • Ministry priorities: Echo the Acts church—teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer (Acts 2:42). Possible Pitfalls and Safeguards • Nostalgia without discernment—idealizing the past blinds us to Scripture’s corrective voice. • Selective memory—ignoring failures that Scripture records for our warning. • Rigid traditionalism—elevating human customs to divine status (Mark 7:8-9). Safeguard: Keep the Bible open while listening to human stories; let God’s Word sit in judgment over every tradition. A Closing Challenge This week, purposefully connect with one “former generation” resource—read a psalm of David, call a godly grandparent, or open a missionary biography. Ask, “What can I learn that will shape today’s decision?” Then act on that insight, trusting the Lord who is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). |
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