Judges 2:8-10  Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. (NIV)

—

Somebody else’s historical account must be experienced afresh before belief is transferred forward. In other words, history is not transferable, but experience is. It’s not just that people who do not learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them; we also fail to realize what we missed in those lessons until they punch us in the face. 

History is so boring for most people that they don’t want to read it. If they have to read it, they want the History for Dummies version. Give us pictures, jokes, and notes about things we typically don’t talk about in Sunday School, but do watch on Netflix. 

There are so many lessons we all too easily overlook when we skim rather than immerse ourselves in the depths of facts and truth. 

The temptation is to think our current age and events are unprecedented. We hear that word repeatedly on talking-head shows and in online news items. What is unprecedented is the depth of some people’s ignorance as they make questionable calls about how things work in this old world of ours. 

Before we jump in and attempt something, it would be good to know how things worked when this something was tried before. What happened below the surface? What happened that is not well chronicled but left open wounds that even centuries may not heal? 

Beyond leadership decisions, diplomacy before, during, and after the conflict, and the tactical measures undertaken, real people experience horrors that textbooks struggle to explain, even with lots of pictures. 

We have far too many leaders who majored in something other than history. A minor would prove its worth. At least a course or two seriously considered would be valuable. 

When we fail to learn the lessons of history, we will live histories our successors will feel free to ignore.

Judges is a Bible book that serves as a warning to all people, across all ages and cultures, who fail to learn the lessons of God’s holiness and the positive alternative that results from his every command. 

Knowing the heart of God guides our decision-making toward more peace and less conflict. 

Knowing God’s mind leads us toward more costs counted and fewer broken lands and dead people. 

 It’s a good day when we stop making historical mistakes.

—

I will lean into the lessons of history and the heart and mind of God. 

—

Our Father, please give us the wisdom to learn from all that has happened so that we do not unnecessarily make the same tragic errors. Empower us with the wisdom to err on the side of life. Bless us with leaders who not only know your name, but also know your will and your ways. Deliver us from foolish leaders who prefer peace only if it means their side wins a catastrophic conflict first. Thank you that you still bless the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Amen.