"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6).

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."' (Joel 2:28).

         Two very contrasting thoughts-- one of rejection, and the other of great mercy. The first is a working under the old/first covenant, and the latter is an expression of the new/second covenant. Because there are those who still adhere to the old law and covenant, they shall be judged as under the law. God, who marks out the times and seasons, can just as easily execute the first covenant, as He can the second covenant. We are in a time period of the overlapping of two ages. Over and over again we hear speakers give allegiance to the first covenant, with all its works and services. Quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14, "IF--  My people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways; THEN will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." This "IF" and "THEN" working is a primary characteristic of the old covenant, as it was based upon man's action, and God's response-- "IF, and THEN."
         There is a very negative working of the "if, and then," found in our text verse. The IF involved the people of God rejecting knowledge, and by reason of sowing rejection, they reaped a harvest of the same. Rejected from being a priest unto the Lord, and also finding THEIR CHILDREN REJECTED. Sin and unbelief had worked a powerful rejection on God's part as He gave to them the fruit of their own doing. A hard way to learn the lesson-- "Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backsliding shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that My fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts." (Jer. 2:19).
         But glimpses of grace are found all the way through the writings of the prophets, with a foretelling of the grace that shall come to creation. No wonder we read that they "Searched what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify..." (l Peter 1:13). Sometimes they spoke with the rigidness and austerity of the law, and other times they revealed brief insights into the grace and mercy of the Lord. Sometimes it was ''if, and then," and other times it was "BECAUSE of grace, therefore."
          We shudder at the suffering and hopelessness that is being experienced by our youth of today. Reaping not only the fruit of their own actions, but also of their parents as well. Called the X generation, or the lost generation, many have lost all sense of morality, the value of life, and the hope of any viable future, and in their frustration they strike out with whatever weapon they find at hand. Yet both Jeremiah (31:29), and Ezekiel offer new hope for this generation, saying, "What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge. As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel." (Ezek. 18:2-3). While it remains a personal responsibility that every man shall bear his own burden, yet "AS I LIVE--" based upon the integrity and holiness of My LIFE, the righteousness that undergirds My throne, I have a plan for the salvation of all mankind, old and young alike.
         It is tragic that the action of the parents should be so reflected in the lives of their children. Because the adults have thrown all caution to the wind, to do whatever is right in their own eyes, there is no right standard left for the young people to follow. But, as heart-breaking as all of this is, we find in the Word tremendous hope, as God Himself steps in to gather them to Himself, and to sovereignly work in the lives of our youth. That correction is desperately needed, we know-- the evidence is all around us-- yet there is purpose in all of His judgments, and while "no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness..." (Heb. I2:11). Yes, God has a purpose to be fulfilled in the lives of our youth. It is true, "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer." (Isa. 54:7-8).
         After a time of purging, correction, etc. God's abundant mercy is revealed, and we read on, same chapter, "O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold... ALL THY CHILDREN shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." (verses 11, 13). After all the sorrow and grief, the barrenness of the soul, etc. realizing the shame of their forsaking the Lord, to go their own way-- and now discerning the dark consequence this has had upon their children, with weeping before the Lord shall they turn to Him again, and find that GOD ALREADY HAS A PLAN FOR THE CHILDREN-- He has purposed to teach them Himself, and bring them into His everlasting peace.
         Praise God, The forgotten/rejected generation shall become THE REMEMBERED GENERATION. Job cried out, "That Thou wouldst appoint me a set time, and remember me." (Job 14:13). While the Psalmist declares, "But Thou, 0 Lord, shall endure for ever; and THY REMEMBRANCE unto all generations." (Psalm 102:12). The thought is two-fold: not only is there a memorial unto God-- that HE is remembered from age to age, but HE REMEMBERS US, to finish in us the work which He has begun. It is with this confidence that Job states, "If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer Thee: Thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thine hands." (Job 14:14-15). Whatever his appointed time, he knew he would be remembered. He would not be left in an "unfinished state." Even death could not deny him that fulfillment, because sooner or later, "Thou wilt call, and I will answer thee." For, as Job realized, difficult as it might be to wait it out, the time factor was not the real issue-- the FACT is that GOD has a desire to the work of His hand, and that He will finish in every generation that which He has begun. The redemption/restoration of every man is secure in the FAITHFUL CREATOR'S OWN DESIRE to finish the work of His hand. It is His desire towards the seemingly forgotten generation, that will make it a remembered generation.
          Indeed, God promises that "When he seeth his children, the work of Mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify My name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel." (Isa. 29:23). And we have already read that God has a desire to the work of His hands. He has this generation in mind, just as much as all previous generations that have been touched by the Spirit of God.
         What a glorious commitment of God toward His creation. "ALL THY CHILDREN shall be taught of the Lord," - "CHILDREN, THE WORK OF MINE HANDS." When God Himself reveals His handiwork in this "lost generation," it will cause mankind to SANCTIFY His name, and magnify the Lord. It is not some carnal program of man designed to capture the attention of our youth, to appeal to their soulish senses; nor are they the result of some special program to "reach the youth" and convert them to a creed and doctrine. These children are "THE WORK OF MINE HANDS." It is GOD HIMSELF pouring out of His Spirit upon our sons and our daughters.
         Is it any wonder it says "AND GREAT SHALL BE THE PEACE OF THY CHILDREN."
         Peace-- the Hebrew word is "shalom," which also means: completeness. There is no total peace as long as there is the restlessness of desire driving one onward. But when every need is fully met, and the work of His hands is complete-- then GREAT IS THE PEACE. While presently we focus the attention on our children, this truth is applicable to ALL generations. It is God's handiwork within that brings us into His kingdom of "righteousness, joy, and PEACE in the holy Spirit." (Rom. 14:17).
     "There is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border." (Jer. 31:17). THERE IS, Hebrew, yesh, to exist. THERE EXISTS HOPE IN THINE END. This glorious expectation, this HOPE for the future, already EXISTS-- it is not a wished-for fantasy, it exists even now-- God has a "salvation READY TO BE REVEALED in the last time." (1 Peter 1:5). God had already prepared THE HOPE before He subjected mankind to this present bondage of vanity. He had fully prepared the CURE before there was a disease of sin which would destroy. He knew that "ALL WE like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." (Isa. 53:5), and HE arranged for a regathering of all creation, at the appointed time. "That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him." (Eph. 1:10). "When Shiloh (the Seed, Christ) come, unto Him shall the gathering of the people be." (Gen. 49:10). Yes, THIS HOPE HAS EXISTED for a long time-- yet how little has it been pro- claimed in the drought-land of Christendom.
         Children "come again to their own border." Border-- Heb. "gebul," meaning: an enclosed place. It bespeaks of a place of security, of a dwelling place that is singularly yours, marked out as an inheritance-- of being at home. "In My Father's house are many dwelling places... I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2). What an outreach of love-- that while the children are off wandering in a strange land, fulfilling the lusts of the flesh and mind, God has ALREADY prepared for their return-- and has a BORDER, has a dwelling place waiting. Jesus made this clear in the parable of the son that went off to a far country and squandered all of his substance. Yet as he returned to his father's house, the father was waiting for him with a ready welcome, and a fatted calf to be prepared for a celebration.
         Many a parent has looked down the lane, longing to see their wayward child returning, but there was no guarantee that the child would ever come. BUT GOD IS THE GUARANTEE for His creation's return, and He states, "I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace, and not for evil, to give you HOPE in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you." (Jer. 29:11-12).
         When the Lord's time arrives for the children's restoration, His power and grace can readily remove all obstacles, remedy all defects, correct all the deviations from uprightness-- He can give "sight to the blind," and "feet to the lame," "support to the heavy laden," "rest to the weary soul," and He can draw the stubborn and rebellious, melting their hearts, and turning them completely around. While, "No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him," (John 6:44), yet the question is never one of ability, but of timing-- For, "IN/WITH/BY Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order." (1 Cor. 15:22-23).
         "Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in Mine anger, and in My fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be My people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them." (Jer. 32:37-39).
         The promise remains secure, God says, "I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I WILL SAVE THY CHILDREN... And all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer. " (Isa. 49:25-26).
       SAVE– yasha, to give safety or ease. There is an inner transforming work, wrought by God alone, that shall so change young people that it shall leave men speechless, as they behold the handiwork of God. "Behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it. And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord God." (Ezekiel 14:22-23).
       DIVINE HANDIWORK so transforming the children, that when God brings them forth, everyone shall be comforted-- understanding that GOD HAD A CAUSE, A PURPOSE. And while it is difficult for men and women to suffer the certain destruction of their Jerusalem-- to see all their religious systems brought to nought, their comfort zone of creed and doctrine turned to ashes as the HOLY FIRE OF TRUTH torches their tradition, and they see all the evil that comes upon their city-- yet, we say, when they see the TRANSFORMED WAYS AND DOINGS IN THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN, they will begin to magnify the Lord, and know that He truly works all things together into good, and for His praise. The collapse of man's system will come-- but the establishing of the new kingdom shall follow, and all shall see God's cause/purpose burst forth in victory-- and then shall they bow low to worship Him.
         0 the wonder of God's "nevertheless afterwards" when He brings forth His  victory-- "Their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord." (Zech. 10:7).
         So many revival fires have blazed for a short time, because of the vision and message of some individual. Folks rally around to drink of the sweet wine flowing from his/her cup. Because of the central figure, be it man or woman, a little kingdom is built, works are established on the vision, with people constantly returning to fill their cup again. Yes, we thank God for every expression of His love and grace, and for every "move" that becomes a means of helping those in distress. But for all of this "in part happening," we long to see that MOVE OF REALITY, apart from man's interference, which will embrace our children and draw them to Himself.
          Because of the nature of past times of God's inworkings, men continually  think in terms of another man or woman being raised up with the message-- but more and more we are seeing that this must be a work of the Spirit that will not be shackled and limited by any man. And while it is true, God is preparing vessels through whom He shall work, yet the attention will always be focused upon the Spirit, and not on some person. It is DIVINE HANDIWORK as He "turns the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers..." (Malachi 4:6).
         We have already referred to the prodigal son wandering off to a far country and wasting his substance with riotous living-- but we would point out that GOD TURNED HIS HEART TOWARD HIS FATHER, and he was ready to return home. He will allow us to come to the end of ourselves, but He ever waits to receive us, for HIS HEART IS EVER TURNED TOWARD US. "God so loved the world" that He "commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8). THE Father's heart is turned toward His creation, setting the example for all other "fathers" to be turned toward their children-- so that, when it is time for God to motivate them homeward they will find a ready welcome. No condemnation waiting, no harsh words of rebuke-- but with unconditional love the FORGOTTEN GENERATION will be received with open arms, forgiveness is an established fact, and their sins will be remembered no more.
         Praise God, "in wrath (He will) remember mercy." (Hab. 3:2). Judgments will unfold, the sovereign hand of correction, for there must be an ending of this degenerate course of man. But it is the sovereign working of our sovereign God to be able to use the death-throes of one order, to become the birth pangs of a new order. Thank God, He not only remembers the lost generation, but He also remembers HIS MERCY. And when these unite, both the children and His mercy-- we will see a generation transformed by the power of God. There will be no "generation gap" when the holy Spirit fills that gap, turning the hearts of the children to their fathers; yes, turning creation back into harmony/fellowship with our Creator. Bless His name!
         The "spirit of this age" is a rebellious spirit, inciting to selfishness, casting aside all restraint and respect for law and order, and it energizes all who yield to its influence. But there will be an OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT that will conquer this spirit of the age. "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy..." (Joel 2:28). This is essential if there is going to be a turning of "the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17).
         The disobedient-- Greek is "apeithes" meaning: not persuaded. They will not obey because they are not persuaded it is the best way, and good for them. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?" (Rom. 10:14). There is little reality in most of Christendom these days, nothing to convince or persuade the children-- to cause them to believe. "And to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief" (Heb. 3: 18-19 ) .
         Ah, what an example! A whole nation, brought out of Egypt by the mighty hand of God, guided through the wilderness, and yet were unable to enter into the promised land because they were UNPERSUADED that God could give the land to them. Their spies brought back reports of giants, and they were quicker to believe the report of the spies, than the Word of the Lord. It was a self-analysis that was linked to fear and distrust, and therefore worked DISOBEDIENCE. They were ready to call it "quits" before they ever tried to possess the land, because they were not persuaded that by the help of their God it could be done. They needed something to turn them to the "WISDOM of the just." This word "wisdom" is the Greek "phronesis" and means: THOUGHT- FULLNESS. Once it is translated as "prudence," (Eph. 1:8), as we read, "Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and PRUDENCE." What reveals His thoughtfulness toward us? By His revealing His will and purpose, by His causing us to know the path of life. When GOD TEACHES us, and our children-- being made unto us "WISDOM, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption," when we are TAUGHT THE TRUTH, I say, we will bow low to worship Him for all His ways and in workings. "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13). SO-- when He pours out of His Spirit upon all flesh, they will BE persuaded and turn to the Lord.
      I dare say, a tradition which constantly violates the conscience, and causes the children to turn away in disgust at the bickering and senseless, pious religiosity, works no persuasion. The parents rejected knowledge, the children rejected the traditions of the elders, and God rejected the whole lot of them-- knowing that HE would have to discipline them severely before they would abandon their foolishness, and turn to the Lord with all their heart. BUT TURN, THEY SHALL, BECAUSE HE WILL WORK IN THEM A TURNING, even as we read, "Turn Thou us unto Thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned, renew our days as of old." (Lam. 5:21). Truly, God will not utterly reject any generation, but He certainly will judge and purify before He can receive them unto Himself.
      Any intelligent son or daughter, who views the dogmas of the religious world, and understands what they claim to be the final outcome for man, has grounds for rebellion against the creed. It is a gross caricature of His love, a horrid distortion of His power, wisdom, righteousness, and justice. But let the fathers seek God on bended knee, and receive divine revelation of their God, until they tremble in awesome worship before Him, and truth will flow out of their hearts to embrace their children, and children shall rejoice at the hope set before them. Yes, GOD shall turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. HE IS THE CONVERTER, the TURNER, the SAVIOR, and HE will save our children.
         What changes are being wrought these days. No more does God "visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children." (Ex. 34:7). That is not to say that children today don't suffer because of the foolishness of the parent-- but not in the sense that they are held responsible for past sins of their parents. Some today try to apologize for their ancestors' actions, that is utter nonsense. It is between the perpetrator and the victim not between the children of both factions. There is so much that GOD MUST STRAIGHTEN OUT-- but, bless His name, the end is secure. When He pours out of His Spirit upon all flesh, all of these negatives will dissipate, and the life of Christ shall be made manifest. He will keep the covenant of His mercy to a thousand generations.
                                                     They call them the X generation, lost and befuddled by sin,
                                                     Rejected, cast off, and forgotten-- their hope seems so tattered and thin.
                                                     But God gives a wonderful promise, a light that shall never grow dim,
                                                     When all seems so utterly hopeless, our children are all taught of Him.
                                                     Taught of His love and His mercy, taught of new life by His grace,
                                                     This promise is never restricted to limits of any one race.
                                                     The triumph of Calvary reaches to fully embrace ev’ry man,
                                                     And that which once seemed so forgotten-- remembered and gathered again.
                                                     Tremendous the hope for thy children as God pours His Spirit on them,
                                                     Transformed, they become new creation, and gone are things that condemn.
                                                     Turning their hearts t'ward each other, fathers and children, I say,
                                                     Great is the peace of thy children, and bright is the Father's new day.
                                                     How great is the outworking of His redemption plan, Praise His name!
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(1)Prinzing, Ray and Doris "Letters of Truth"  Boise, Idaho 83705, P.O. Box 5822

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