There is a legend about the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Germany. The town was infested with rats that brought plague. The town leadership along with the mayor wanted to find a solution. A Piper with a multicolored (pied) dress came and offered to remove the rats. The contract was agreed with a promise of 1000 guilders. The Piper accepted and played his pipe, lured the rats into the Weser River, where they drowned. The mayor did not honor the promise and paid just 50 guilders, and blamed the Piper that he only sent the rats to extort money. Enraged, he warned the townspeople that he would take revenge. On 26 June 1284, the day of St. John and St. Paul, the adults were in the church. The Piper played music, attracted 130 children, and left the town, and the children were never seen thereafter.
Deceitful Leaders: The leadership and the people of the town were not grateful. When Pharoah saw the consequences of the plague was over, he hardened his heart and went back on his promise. (Exodus 8:15) Honesty and not deceit is pleasing to God. Righteousness exalts a nation. Only Godly leaders could make a nation great. (Proverbs 14:34)
Religious adults: The townspeople though dishonest, were religious. All of them were pious, inside the church. But they were hypocrites like the Pharisees who were condemned by the Lord as whitewashed tombs. (Matthew 23:27-28)
Abandoned children: Children were left in their homes to fend for themselves. Moses refused to leave the children in Egypt and go for worship. (Exodus 10:9-12) Teaching and training children in godliness is the priority in the family. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7) Teaching children to think and not be emotionally trapped by the world, is important.
False Messiah: The Pied Piper promised relief, when he was not rewarded or honored, he became a seducer, killer, thief, and destroyer like Satan. (John 10:10) There are many false teachers, false prophets, and false messiahs who appear from time to time.
Am I protecting the next generations from the Pied Pipers of today?