It seems like it's been around for millennia!
We find a great example of this generational tension in the Book of Jubilees. Now, if you're not familiar, the Book of Jubilees is an ancient Jewish text that retells the stories from Genesis and Exodus, but with a lot more detail and a unique perspective on laws and history. It's considered apocryphal by some, but it gives us a fascinating peek into the beliefs and anxieties of the time.
In chapter 37, we're looking at a family drama playing out. The sons of a certain patriarch – the text doesn't explicitly name him here, but context suggests it's Jacob – are itching for a fight. Specifically, they want to go to war with someone. Their father, though? Not so much.
"Do not go and do not make war with him," he pleads with them, "lest ye fall before him."
Pretty straightforward, right? A father, worried about his sons' safety, advising caution. But the sons? They are not having it.
"This too, is exactly thy mode of action from thy youth until this day," they retort, "and thou art putting thy neck under his yoke. We shall not hearken to these words."
Ouch. Talk about a generational burn! They're basically accusing their father of being a pushover, someone who's always avoided conflict and submitted to others. "We shall not hearken to these words," they declare. In other words: "Thanks, Dad, but we've got this."
So, what do they do? They go behind his back, naturally. They send messengers to Aram (ancient Syria), specifically to ’Adurâm, a friend of their father, and hire one thousand fighting men. One thousand! But they don't stop there.
They bring in reinforcements from all over the region. One thousand chosen men each from Moab and from the children of Ammon, mercenaries from Philistia, and even more from Edom and the Horites. And, to top it all off, they enlist "mighty men of war" from the Kittim – often associated with Cyprus or other Mediterranean regions.
It's quite the coalition they're building, isn't it? The sons are clearly determined to wage this war, consequences be damned. They're willing to spend significant resources and forge alliances with a diverse range of people to achieve their goals, regardless of their father's wishes or warnings.
What was this war about? The text doesn't spell it out here in chapter 37, but we can infer that it involves some perceived injustice or threat to their family's honor or territory. Regardless of the reasons, the stage is set for a major conflict.
This short passage from Jubilees opens a window into the complexities of family dynamics, the allure of power, and the dangers of ignoring wise counsel. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? How often do we, like these sons, rush into situations convinced we know better than those who came before us? And what are the potential consequences when we choose to ignore the wisdom of our elders?