Deuteronomy 1:39
French Bible (BBB) Bible Bovet Bonnet (1900)
Et vos petits enfants, dont vous avez dit: ils deviendront une proie ! et vos fils, qui ne connaissent aujourd'hui ni le bien ni le mal, eux y entreront; c'est à eux que je le donnerai, et eux le posséderont.
What Does This Mean?
God is speaking to the Israelites, promising that while the adults who doubted Him would not enter the Promised Land, their children, who were too young to understand the consequences of their parents' actions, would indeed inherit the land. This verse highlights God's grace and His promise to the younger generation.
Explained for Children
Imagine you and your friends are playing a game, and the older kids decide to break the rules. Your parents say the older kids can't play anymore, but you and your friends can keep playing because you didn't know the rules at the time. God is like that with His children, giving a second chance to those who didn't understand before.
Historical Background
This verse is part of Deuteronomy, which was written by Moses around 1400-1200 BCE. It was delivered to the Israelites as they were about to enter the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. The Israelites had previously disobeyed God, and Moses is reminding them of God's promises and judgments.
Living It Out Today
In modern life, this verse can remind parents and educators that children need guidance but also grace. Just as God granted the younger generation a chance to inherit the Promised Land, we should offer younger individuals opportunities to grow and learn from their mistakes rather than holding them accountable for actions they could not understand.
Topics
promisegraceinheritancechildrengenerational blessingsobedience
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't the older generation enter the Promised Land?
The older generation did not enter the Promised Land because they had doubted God and disobeyed His command to enter the land after the Exodus from Egypt. Their lack of faith led to God's judgment.
What does it mean that the children 'had no knowledge between good and evil'?
This phrase suggests that the younger generation was too young to fully understand the consequences of their parents' actions or the significance of God's promises and judgments. They were innocent in terms of understanding the gravity of the situation.
How does this verse relate to grace?
This verse shows God's grace by giving a second chance to the younger generation who were not responsible for their parents' actions. It demonstrates God's mercy and willingness to forgive and bless those who are innocent or unaware of their transgressions.
What can we learn about children's roles from this verse?
We learn that children are innocent and should be given opportunities to grow and learn. They should not be held accountable for the actions of their elders or for things they did not understand at the time, reflecting the importance of grace and understanding in parenting and teaching.