Historians, philosophers, archeologists, and others who’ve studied the past are fully aware that history often repeats itself. That is why they are among the first ones to alert others not to repeat mistakes made by previous generations. Consider those who have sounded the “doomed to repeat it” warning to the world:
“Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” —Edmund Burke
“Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.” —Sara Shepard, Wanted
“Those unable to catalog the past are doomed to repeat it.” —Lemony Snicket, The End
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” —George Santayana
I am reminded of Solomon’s words when he said, “There is nothing new under the sun,” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). In terms of repeating past mistakes, this is certainly “nothing new.” Time and again, from one generation to another, humans are known to ignore history and make the same errors made before them. Thus, they are doomed to repeat the same troubles that others have gotten themselves into in previous generations.
Why do people ignore history in the first place? Perhaps they are conceited to think they are wiser than those who’ve lived before them. Maybe they are misled about the past due to revisionist views. Or, learning about history may be irrelevant or unimportant to those who think that humanity is more advanced than it used to be.
There are some who do not like history because they see it as a bunch of facts, names, and numbers. So they conclude it is boring. On the other hand, there are others like myself who are fascinated with history because it teaches us about the success and failures of humans. And, to be sure, this is anything but boring!
Oftentimes, when we study history, we can see ourselves in the lives of those who’ve gone before us. And for this simple reason: No matter what period of time in which we live, we all face the same emotional ups and downs all humans have faced since the beginning of time. Since all are born with certain strengths and weaknesses, there’s always something to appreciate and learn regardless of what time period we are talking about. The Apostle Paul alluded to this fact when he wrote his first letter to the Corinthian Church of God. Consider First Corinthians 10:1-13,
For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; (2) and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) and all ate the same spiritual food; (4) and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. (5) Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.
(6) Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. (7) Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” (8) Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. (9) Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. (10) Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. (11) Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (12) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (13) No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (New American Standard Bible, NASB)
The Apostle Paul was giving his readers a history lesson. He was reminding them of Israel’s past, when their forefathers wandered in the wilderness after their miraculous escape from Egyptian slavery. Their spiritual leader, Moses, led them under the guidance of God who provided for their various needs all throughout the forty years they were in the wilderness.
The apostle draws an analogy by using several examples of what happened to the people at that time: They were under the cloud which they followed in the daytime. They were saved when they walked on dry ground through the parted sea as Pharaoh and his army pursued them. Once all the children of Israel passed to the other side, God closed the waters upon the pursuing Egyptians which drowned them in the process, thus saving Israel, enabling them to move ahead toward their promised land. Israel also drank from the water that gushed forth from the rock that Moses struck. Paul uses these events to illustrate God’s deliverance and salvation which he ultimately fulfills through Christ the Rock of our faith.
But Paul reminds his readers that not all was wine and roses when the people were in the wilderness. Israel made God angry because they defied him and turned from him to follower after other gods. As a result, they wandered for forty years until the original generation that came out of Egypt died off and did not enter the promised land with two exceptions—two faithful persons and their families, Joshua and Caleb. For everyone else, only their children were left to enter the promised land.
Paul sums up Israel’s history by saying that all the mistakes they made are examples to us, that we might learn from them as a warning not to repeat their misdeeds. The people paid a heavy price for their disobedience to God. Their allowance of sexual immortality and idol worship led to over 23,000 deaths in one day (Numbers 25:1-9). When the people complained against God and Moses, his spokesman, the LORD sent snakes to bite them and many of them died. Had God not intervened by instructing Moses to make a bronze serpent which was used as a sign to provide healing, many more would have perished (Numbers 21:6-9). Speaking of complaining, the people often found themselves in lots of trouble just because they couldn’t keep from whining every time something didn’t go the way they wanted (For instance, Numbers 16 and 17).
Paul reminds his readers and us that we shouldn’t take anything for granted and assume that nothing bad can ever happen to us. About the time we start thinking that way, that’s when disaster will come. Furthermore, no temptation is so great that God won’t provide a way out. So, we shouldn’t worry about unforeseen circumstances for God is faithful to his Word. But we still don’t want to repeat the mistakes of the past. So, stand firm in the faith.
We cannot emphasize enough how essential it is to learn from history. “Now these things happened to them as an example,” Paul says. What’s been recorded about them “were written for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages have come,” (1 Cor. 10:11). If we believe that it doesn’t matter to learn the lessons of the past, Paul warns, “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall,” (v. 12).
I like the way The Message version puts it:
These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence. You can’t make the point any more sharp than that!
In order not to be doomed to repeat the past, we must stand strong against those sins that get us down. As it says, “God is faithful” even though we are tempted to fall into those same mistakes others have made before us. God will make a way out upon the condition that we trust and obey him. By being aware of history, we can beware when enticed by wrong desires. Examples of past failures can be signals for us to avoid so that we can achieve success. If we steer clear of the kind of sins that Israel committed in the wilderness, for instance, we will have gained much. So that when Jesus comes, we will be ready to enter our promised land—that is, God’s eternal Kingdom.
By the way, when you think “history” remember that it is really all about HIS STORY—God’s Good News about our salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ. To keep from repeating past mistakes, we do not want to forget that God gave his Son to die for our sins and provide for our forgiveness. Truly, what Jesus did on Calvary will help us confront the past with hope for the future when Jesus comes to give everlasting life to all who are faithful. Here’s Don Moen singing, “Lead Me to Calvary”: http://youtu.be/ewKugGDO6JM
Good News to YOU!
Pastor Michael
The Good News Herald 