In Exodus 13 we read of the institution of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Moses gave the instructions regarding the time and regulations of the feast, and also the reason, “It shall be as a sign to you on your hand as a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt” (9). God did not establish the feast to be merely a day off from work! It was a memorial! Unfortunately throughout Jewish history, during times of rebellion against God, the purpose of much of God’s instructions were lost to the minds of the people.
An interesting aspect of this is found in verse 8 of our text, “And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I cam up from Egypt.’” It is extremely important that each generation be taught the truths of God! The feast was a memorial. For a new generation to remember, the generation must be taught!
God’s way is often NOT man’s way. God gave specific directions to the parent to teach the child. It is an abdication of responsibility for the parents of a child to outsource instruction in the truths of God! There is a special obligation that falls upon the father in this. Paul wrote, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
There is no problem supplementing the instruction of the parents with other voices. Teaching and edifying is an important function of the church. It has long been our practice to have Bible classes to help in teaching our children. Individually, grandparents, older siblings, and other relatives and friends can also be extremely beneficial. The problem comes when fathers and mothers do not take the lead! This does not mean to send the kids upstairs to get their Bible class lesson done, or to show up an hour earlier to the building to make sure the kids get to Bible class. The parent is not merely an administrator, the parent is to be the primary teacher! Moses said, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
Remember, one untaught generation breaks the chain. If one child is not taught, he then has nothing to share with his own child. Anecdotally, I have seen the beginning of this unfortunate end, as children have left the home and lost their faith. What will happen to their own children? Grandparents, aunts and uncles may try their best, but without the direction and instruction of mom and dad, there is great cause for despair! Parents, teach your children! It is your responsibility, and to be successful before God, one you must fulfill!
