We are told that unless we learn these lessons, we are bound to repeat them. Perhaps that is why war comes to almost every new generation.

Our minds seem to try to cancel out the need to remember the lessons of the past. The world has changed, we say. People are more civilized. Globalization has occurred. The world has become smaller. These and similar excuses come to mind. The bottom line is that we discard the chance to learn from the events of the past.

Each generation seems to have to learn hard lessons itself. Individuals might learn, but nations and peoples do not seem to have that ability. Most of all, people have forgotten God (again) and will have to learn that lesson again (Jeremiah 3:21).

We may not be able to change the thinking of others, but we can check ourselves. Do we value the lessons of the past? Do we remember our God?