Post by Archangelwolf on Apr 4, 2004 19:04:50 GMT -5
It is interesting that America calls itself the "city on a hill." Especially, since they are not the first. The "city on a hill" complex actually began with Israel, and rightfully so. That is what God had intended on doing with this nation of Abramic descendants. He ruled them personally, through a selected person called a Judge. There were several throughout the early years, beginning with Aaron, Moses's brother. One of the most famous was Samuel. However, it was during Samuel's stint as Judge that Israel sunk to a new low.
It seems that the Israelites noticed that all the neighboring nations had kings. In the first ever example of "keeping up with the Joneses," the Israelites decided they needed a king, too. This "rule by God" government was not good enough for them; and they asked Samuel to give them a king. After careful prayer, Samuel first told the Israelites a very accurate description of what having a king, or any kind of human government, was like. He talked about corruption and what having power might do to people in higher positions. This, however, did not persuade the Israelites to change their mind. So, after another time of prayer, Samuel selected Saul as Israel's first king; and the rest is history.
Samuel's assessment of human government was proven over and over throughout Israel's early history. Even David, as close to God's heart as he was, had his failings. The kings of Israel had a lot of influence. If they followed God, then so did Israel, and the nation was blessed. If the king decided to go his own way, then so did Israel, and hard times came upon them. Under David's reign, Israel flourished. With all his shortcomings, David was very repentive towards God, and stayed faithful. The culprit of Israel's undoing might just be David's successor, Solomon.
Solomon was blessed with great wisdom, but he was cursed with the lack of ability to live according to what he preached. Solomon loved women. He had over 300 wives, and about twice as many concubines, or "mistresses." All of these women had different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. While exposing Israel to other cultures was not exactly terrible, exposing them to other religions had dire circumstances. After Solomon was long gone, these religious influences lingered on, and Israel turned from their Creator to these other objects of worship. Prophets like Elijah and Isaiah arose condemning the Israelites and telling them to turn back to God. Sometimes they would listen, but it was only temporary. Soon, Israel lost its ability to bless the nations. They became divided into north and south, and eventually were conquered by more powerful empires.
So, God creates this "nation" to be a light to the world. It starts out well enough, kind of takes a roller coaster ride in and out of God's creation plans, and then takes a nosedive into oblivion. All the while, humanity is still trying to wreck God's plans for the universe. So, what now?
To be continued...
Arch.
It seems that the Israelites noticed that all the neighboring nations had kings. In the first ever example of "keeping up with the Joneses," the Israelites decided they needed a king, too. This "rule by God" government was not good enough for them; and they asked Samuel to give them a king. After careful prayer, Samuel first told the Israelites a very accurate description of what having a king, or any kind of human government, was like. He talked about corruption and what having power might do to people in higher positions. This, however, did not persuade the Israelites to change their mind. So, after another time of prayer, Samuel selected Saul as Israel's first king; and the rest is history.
Samuel's assessment of human government was proven over and over throughout Israel's early history. Even David, as close to God's heart as he was, had his failings. The kings of Israel had a lot of influence. If they followed God, then so did Israel, and the nation was blessed. If the king decided to go his own way, then so did Israel, and hard times came upon them. Under David's reign, Israel flourished. With all his shortcomings, David was very repentive towards God, and stayed faithful. The culprit of Israel's undoing might just be David's successor, Solomon.
Solomon was blessed with great wisdom, but he was cursed with the lack of ability to live according to what he preached. Solomon loved women. He had over 300 wives, and about twice as many concubines, or "mistresses." All of these women had different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. While exposing Israel to other cultures was not exactly terrible, exposing them to other religions had dire circumstances. After Solomon was long gone, these religious influences lingered on, and Israel turned from their Creator to these other objects of worship. Prophets like Elijah and Isaiah arose condemning the Israelites and telling them to turn back to God. Sometimes they would listen, but it was only temporary. Soon, Israel lost its ability to bless the nations. They became divided into north and south, and eventually were conquered by more powerful empires.
So, God creates this "nation" to be a light to the world. It starts out well enough, kind of takes a roller coaster ride in and out of God's creation plans, and then takes a nosedive into oblivion. All the while, humanity is still trying to wreck God's plans for the universe. So, what now?
To be continued...
Arch.
