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"Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past" (Deuteronomy 32:7). "I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever: with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations" (Psalm 89:1). "One generation will commend Your works to another" (Psalm 145:4).

Yesterday was Memorial Day day here in the USA. The origin of Memorial Day dates back to the period following our Civil War in the 1860's and was initially a day of remembrance of those who died in that war, but later it included the fallen from all the wars that have followed. Although I have had relatives serve in World War 2 and other wars I do not have any direct relatives who died in wars.

But Memorial Day has also become a day when we seek to remember those who have lived before us.

I have no actual memory of my ancestors beyond my grandparents. There may be some readers that recall a great grandparent but due to life spans few would know anyone in a generation before that. My grandpa on my mother's side was the son of a German immigrant who came to the US in the late 1850's. I have no info regarding the Steincross family before this. I know even less about the ancestors on my dad's side. I don't recall it being passed on but perhaps I didn't listen or wasn't interested at that point in my life!

But others have a long memory of their ancestors:

Moses, in his final message prior to his death, calls the people to "Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past". That is so necessary for each generation and is increasingly lacking in this modern age with so many living only for the now and having little to no interest in the past or in some cases even holding a disdain for it.

C.S. Lewis used the term "chronological snobbery" to describe the tendency to devalue any generation but your own. It asserts that "the thinking, art, or science of an earlier time is inherently inferior to that of the present, simply by virtue of its temporal priority or the belief that since civilization has advanced in certain areas, people of earlier periods were less intelligent."

From creation an oral history had been passed on from generation to generation until the time of Moses who is the author of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible). This long period covers the time from creation and the origin of their national identity (children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) to Moses which would be several thousand years.

Moses lived about 3,500 years ago and his words are still very appropriate and needed for the people of God today. We all need to "remember the days of old; consider the generations long past".

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13.

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber