Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Musing – Might Messages of OT Prophets be Relevant Today?

 

Hebraic Musing – Might Messages of OT Prophets be Relevant Today?

As I read Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel & Hosea, I’m wondering how events in those times might have a parallel in the America of today?  After all, God is the same yesterday, today and forever!

Those prophets tell of nations who have defied the LORD, worshipping idols and behaving immorally.  Therefore they were taken over, rather violently!  Are the sins those nations committed similar to the sins America is committing?  Why should America not suffer the same consequences for ignoring or turning away from God? 

Those prophets were speaking to the people and describing symbolically the events that were taking place; but as I read Joel, he is addressing events as a precursor to what will happen to Judah, the Southern Kingdom.  And these precursor events struck me as very similar to events occurring today.  Hmm…  Might we be getting set up for take-over?  What are some of the parallels, recognizing that the enemy might use different tactics than OT warfare?

·      They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course. They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks.”  Joel 2:7-8 NIV   To me this sounds like the current administration pushing their agenda with full party backing, no one in the army (or party) is breaking rank or opposing.  And it’s well-orchestrated by a leader!?!?  Unchecked rioting in the streets of our cities is allowing Satan to be in control.

·      They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows.” Joel 2:9   Could that be reference to the Marxist Socialism agenda penetrating the legal wall of our U.S. Constitution?  And their ungodly agendas are going through the windows (media) of our homes – media influence, school curriculums, transgenderism,… to name a few.

·      Hosea recites the start of the charges against Israel in Hosea 4:1-2 “Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.  There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.” Doesn’t that sound like today’s daily news and our societal morality trends?

The prophets concluded with words of promise for the day the Israelites, or a remnant, would be brought back from captivity; and I hear Christians quoting those same promises!  BUT why would God’s promises to His Chosen Nation of Israel necessarily apply to us Americans?  We were blessed as a new nation by recognizing God’s blessings in our Constitution, BUT America as a nation is not “God’s chosen people.” 

As individual Christians we can claim “chosen-ness”, but not as a nation.  The LORD was not referring to America when He said in 2 Chron.7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. He was calling the Israelites then and Christians now to get serious. 

Key point – Why would God treat America any different than other nations in the OT when in recent years we’ve practiced ungodly morality and customs? (see Note below)  When they went astray and ignored God’s blessings they were overthrown, taken over; and all the inhabitants suffered.  Note – Based on research “The average age of empires, according to a specialist on the subject… is 250 years. After that, empires always die, often slowly but overwhelmingly from overreaching in the search for power.  The America of 1776 will reach its 250th year in 2026.”*

Points to ponder

Nations do not die and go to Heaven, Christians do.

Are we “ready for that judgement day” as the song goes?

  Lord, I need You, oh I need You. Every hour, I need You. My one defense, my righteousness. Oh God…

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      November 23, 2021
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings” http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/

* Source - https://www.times-standard.com/2017/06/28/the-average-age-of-an-empire-a-mere-250-years/

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