Sean

Lewandowski

Contributing Writer

Sean's been at CBN for nearly a year and lives in Gardendale, AL. He loves going on family adventures—hiking, camping, exploring local history, or serving others together.

More from Sean Lewandowski

L’Dor v’Dor: Serving the Lord from Generation to Generation

Mighty men of valor! Is that us? Is that our children? As parents, we have surely heard the popular Scriptures on raising our children to know the Lord. From Proverbs 22:6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , we are told to train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. In Deuteronomy 11:19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , we are told to continuously teach God’s Word to our children—sitting at home, walking along the road, lying down and getting up. And of course, the real attention-getter—he who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly (Proverbs 13:24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). The Bible is clear that as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and members of a family, both physical and spiritual, teaching the next generation a biblical worldview is an act of obedience. We take our children to Bible class, church, and VBS. We give them rules and tell them about Jesus at home. Is there more that we need to do?

L’dor v’dor translated from Hebrew means “from generation to generation.” This is an important biblical concept that encompasses passing down family traditions, stories, and values to the next generation. As with all of God’s commands, our obedience to His command to pass down His ways to the next generation comes with His promises of blessings, even when the world around us grows more turbulent.

Throughout the Old Testament as the Israelites struggled to remain faithful, there was always a remnant that remained obedient and passed down God’s way from generation to generation. In 1 Chronicles 9:1 So all Israel was listed in the genealogical records in The Book of the Kings of Israel.The Returning ExilesThe people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the LORD. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , we are told that Judah was carried away to Babylonian captivity because of their unfaithfulness. Then verse 9:2 skips the 70 years of captivity and focuses on the return to the Promised Land.

And the first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and the Nethinim (1 Chronicles 9:2 The first of the exiles to return to their property in their former towns were priests, Levites, Temple servants, and other Israelites. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

Notice which people are called out. The passage specifically mentions the priests and Levites. When the nation of Israel returns and rebuilds, we see the priests and Levites resume their duties. How did they know what they were supposed to do? Starting with the establishment of the priesthood with Aaron at Mt. Sinai and continuing through Babylonian captivity, each generation taught the next generation their role in the service of the Lord. Further down, we see how faithful the priests were in teaching the next generation:

... and their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses—one thousand seven hundred and sixty. They were very able men for the work of the service of the house of God (1 Chronicles 9:1 So all Israel was listed in the genealogical records in The Book of the Kings of Israel.The Returning ExilesThe people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the LORD. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) 3).

The phrase “very able men” can be translated as “mighty men of valor.” This phrase is used in the Old Testament to describe mighty warriors like King David that fought for the Lord (1 Samuel 9:1 There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Benjamin. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). This generation of priests were leaders and warriors for the Lord, and there were a lot of them. The praise is not limited to the priests. In 1 Chronicles 9:2 The first of the exiles to return to their property in their former towns were priests, Levites, Temple servants, and other Israelites. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) 0, the Levite Gatekeepers’ work is reminiscent of Phinehas’ zeal for God (Numbers 25:11 "Phinehas son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron the priest has turned my anger away from the Israelites by being as zealous among them as I was. So I stopped destroying all Israel as I had intended to do in my zealous anger. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

There will be a next generation of mighty warriors for the Lord, and they will be zealous for the Lord in their work. As a physical and spiritual family, we need to, by faith, train up our children in the service of the Lord. Being a servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ needs to be who are as family.

Father, we pray that You give us the wisdom to teach our children to be not only believers but servants. We want our values, traditions and stories to be those of service so that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven from generation to generation. L’dor v’dor!

Pray a Powerful Blessing

Does praying come easily for you? I struggled with it. After I truly met Jesus, my life completely changed and as part of my transformation, I wanted to serve in any way that I could. I volunteered to usher and help greet during Sunday morning worship service, and even teach children’s Bible classes. As I grew in my understanding of who the Lord was, I still struggled with praying. I had a hard time when I was by myself and even more so in front of others. What should I say? What is the Lord leading me to say? What is the right thing to say?

Throughout Scripture, the Lord provides examples of prayers for us. One of my favorites is the Aaronic blessing given in Numbers 6:22-27:

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”’

So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” (NKJV)

According to Jewish tradition, when the high priests spoke this blessing over the assembly, they would raise their hands, separating their fingers into sets of two fingers (think of Spock’s Vulcan sign), representing the Hebrew letter shin for Shaddai (All-Sufficient). The Almighty’s Divine Presence would shine through their fingers as the blessing was being said, causing the people in the assembly to avert their eyes—out of respect for the Lord’s presence, or out of fear. What an amazing image of the Lord’s power and faithfulness! Can you imagine a blessing so powerful that the glory of the Lord would visibly shine upon His people?

While living in Hawaii, we attended a Wednesday night Bible class, and at the beginning we would not only pray together but would pray over each other individually. Admittedly at first, I had a hard time knowing how to pray. Who was I to pray over someone? Could the Lord really use me to enact His will and put His blessings on others like he used His priests?

As believers, we know that the answer is YES! By the blood of our Savior and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are a royal priesthood made to serve the Lord (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6). Before Jesus left His disciples, He told them that they would perform greater things than Him if they believe and ask in His name (John 14:12-14). We have been given the power to pray over others the Lord’s physical blessings, spiritual blessings, and for the Lord’s peace so that the Lord will be glorified through His Son.

In Hawaii, we witnessed healings, physical blessings, people being called into different ministries, loved ones coming to Jesus, and the blessings continue. Just as with Aaron, the Lord’s divine presence was shining as we prayed. The Lord showed me that asking for His blessing on others is an important part of prayer. We ask El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, for His favor, His blessings, and His peace; what He provides is sufficient for us. Have you recently prayed for blessings over your loved ones? As part of His royal priesthood, let us ask our Father for His face to shine upon those around us.