Ehud ben Levi! You better get going, the school bus is about to come!

But, Mom, why do I have to keep going to the Philistine school?

Ehud, you know that they have the best Spear and Sword team.

But Mom, they only teach us about Dagon and that our God is nothing special.

Ehud, don’t listen to that stuff. You only read need to pay attention when they teach you about math and science. You can also ignore most of their history stuff. You can learn about Torah when you go to Synagogue on Saturday.[1]

Now quick, otherwise you’ll miss the bus. We love you, Ehud. See you tonight around 6.

Can you imagine such a ridiculous conversation between a mother and son taking place in the days of King David or other parts of Israel’s history? No doubt, Israel was influenced by her neighbors. Israel was after all located in the heart of the ancient world. Major trade roads passed through her land. The latest and greatest fashions and ideas were accessible to most. And yet Israel was summoned to live in such a way that the nations would take notice of her. In the middle of the nations she was to not be like the nations.

Consider the clear directions God gave to Israel before she entered the Promised Land. Deut. 4:6-9 - Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren.” (NKJV)

Would Moses have encouraged young Israelite children being trained by the Moabites, or Ammonites? Would it have been a good idea for Israelite children to be trained by the Philistine school system?

Then why do so many Christians still send their children to pagan school systems where for 6-8 hours each day children are instructed in the myths of evolution, the lies of history, and the virtues of tolerance? It is time that Christian parents en masse get their children off the Philistine buses and either teach them at home or entrust them to those who will care for their minds and souls.

The blessings of God are truly only realized when God’s people follow His ways and teach their children the same. As Deut. 4:40 states: “You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time.”