O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Psalm 78:1-7
This
Psalm tells us to listen to my instructions—to God’s instructions. That
is pretty much all of the Tanakh—the Torah (teachings), the Nevi’im (prophets),
and the Ketuvim (writings). God had plenty of instructions that He gives in
parables. Stories to be passed down and taught to children by their ancestors
focus on God’s hope, His miracles, and His commands.
Listen my children.
This is the story of Moses and the crossing...
of the Red Sea as the Israelites left Egypt.
Listen to this story of our ancestors and God.
Lego design by Isaac.
Listen.
That is what the Rabbi tells us children as we study at the synagogue. Listen. We’re
supposed to learn about our ancestors and just what God had instructed them to
do. Listen. So that we can learn just what God expects of us kids—of everyone. God’s
expectations are reasonable—it’s just that a lot of people are basically
selfish and want to do things—to live—their own way and not God’s way. They
want to worship idols—or at least put other things ahead of their love and
honor for God. God was specific about loving Him first and only. There were
people living in the Promised Land who worshipped other gods when the
Israelites came into the land that God was giving them. They had struggled with
putting God first even when they left Egypt. That promise had been given to Abraham
inviting him to become part of God’s family. That was the beginning of the
Jewish religion and tradition. Listen. That is what the Rabbis taught…so
each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious
miracles and obeying his commands.
Prayer
– Lord, we’re listening. Open our eyes, ears and heart to understanding Your
words. Guide us into clearly understanding and applying Your teachings to our
lives.
Verse
of Salvation ~ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay
true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of
those who hear you. 1
Timothy 4:16
© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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