A riddle: what is the Bible chock-full of but never referred to by name, except like this: “I thought about the former days” (Ps. 77:5) and/or “these days should be remembered” (Esther 9:28). The answer is history (I can’t find that word in a Bible).
There are people who dismiss history and belittle others who attempt to record it. Ironically, historical (and otherwise respected) persons notorious for their own journalistic endeavors, hold to this attitude. For example, Washington Irving said, “History is but a kind of ‘Newgate’ calendar, a register of the crimes and miseries that man has inflicted upon his fellowman”. Frederic the Great used to have his secretary read some history to him. He would say, “Bring me my liar”. Thus, we have the resulting charge that many of us “read history through our prejudices”. That way of thinking might also support the accusation that some history may be recorded by prejudiced authors.
“We must consider how very little history there is; I mean real, authentic history. That certain kings reigned, and certain battles fought, we may depend on as true; but all the coloring and all the philosophy of history is conjecture.” -Johnson
Those who disdain and refrain from studying history are the reason why history repeats itself (and much of it is not fit to repeat). It has been suggested that history is to a nation what memory is to the individual. This presents another reason why history repeats itself: most folks weren’t paying attention the first time! Apparently, learning history’s lessons is almost impossible.
“We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the promise of profiting by dearly bought experiences.” -Washington
“Study the past if you would divine the future.” -Confucius
-John Driggers (6/10/2024, V6 #24)
To read other content drafted by John Driggers, please check out our Life Guides webpage here: Think of it this way – Myers-Davis Life Coaching (myersdavis.com)
