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Chapter 2

The Second Command: Consider the Years of All Generations

Moses’ second command was to “consider the years of all generations.” It is easy to render the significance of this command as being similar to the first command, “remember the days of old,” but there is a distinct difference.

1. Years of All Generations

The “years of all generations” and the “days of old” are similar in that both refer to the past, but the term “years of all generations” refers to a more defined and specific point in history than does the term “days of old.” In Hebrew, the term years is the plural form of The term “days of old” refers to a general time in the past, whereas the term “years” refers to a significant and meaningful point in time within the “days of old.” The word “generations” is composed of two consecutive occurrences of the Hebrew word which means “time period” or “generation,” and thus refers to each of the generations that appear within the history of salvation. Therefore, if the “days of old” refer to God’s entire history of salvation, then the “years of all generations” refer to the specific administration of redemption which God performed in each generation within the history of salvation.

The genealogy is the most condensed form of presenting God’s administration of redemption in each generation. Thus, studying God’s work of redemption revealed through the genealogies with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit will lead us to a clearer understanding of God’s amazing providence of salvation hidden within each generation.

2. Consider

The word consider in the phrase “consider the years of all generations” is in Hebrew and means “to discern” or “to have insight.” It refers to the act of closely observing or studying the principle of a matter or event in order to gain thorough understanding and insight. Thus, the command to “consider the years of all generations” does not simply mean to reminisce about the past, but it is an exhortation to gain understanding through careful research and study. The prophet Isaiah also repeatedly urged the Israelites to “consider” in the following passage:

Isaiah 51:1–2 Listen to me, you who pursue saving justice, you who seek Yahweh. Consider the rock from which you were hewn, the quarry from which you were dug. 2Consider Abraham your father and Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him he was the only one but I blessed him and made him numerous. (New Jerusalem Bible)

This passage is a call to consider the events and experiences of different persons in the years of all generations. Isaiah urged the people to consider the faith of their ancestors, Abraham and Sarah, and also the history of Israel. He encouraged them not to lose hope even though their return from captivity in Babylon might have appeared impossible in the near future. Moreover, he beseeched them to reflect upon God’s covenant with Abraham and to think about all of His great works during their years of slavery in Egypt.