Posted on 03/18/2021 2:27:34 PM PDT by inpajamas
The first time that the word Hebrew is used in the Bible is in Genesis 14:13 where Abraham is called a Hebrew. In the Hebrew language the word “Hebrew” is written עברי (Ivrie) and the root letters are used to mean, cross over. Abraham whose name originally was Abram, or in Hebrew Avram (which means exalted father), being called out of his own land by God, crossed over Euphrates into a land which God promised to give to him and his seed as an inheritance forever. There, God also promised to make him a father of many nations. God also changed his name from Abram to Abraham because Abraham believed God was obedient to that which God commanded him to do. Thus, Abraham became the exalted patriarch, and through his seed would come the nation of Israel.
God chose Israel to be an example and a sign unto the nations to bear witness to the truth. Nonetheless, being chosen, though it is given as a blessing, is not necessarily a good thing for those who are chosen. Being blessed depends upon what those who are chosen do with their blessing. If they despise their blessing, it becomes a curse. Still, that does not take away their calling. They are still chosen regardless. King Saul rebelled against God, but even then David still acknowledge Saul as being ‘the anointed of the Lord’. David refused to put forth his hand against Saul when given the opportunity, even though Saul was seeking David’s life.
We see the same thing with Israel. As the prophets were called to be a sign unto Israel, so Israel was chosen to be a sign unto the nations. Whether Israel is obedient or not, they remain a sign. Whether Israel would regard it or not, or at times would be aware of it or not, the calling remains. The calling of Israel is both irrevocable and inescapable. In obedience Israel is exalted, in rebellion Israel is diminished. By this the hope of God is that all nations can see by example both the goodness and the severity of God. When Israel was chosen by God, he gave Israel a choice of a blessing or a curse. There was no choice given of being chosen or not chosen, whether some would desire it or not. In a sence, Israel was drafted and was obligated to serve. Going AWOL was an option, but not one without consequences.
There are many parallels in the biblical accounts of ancient Israel which correlate to America. Abram crossed over the river into a new land. Afterwards Israel would cross through the Red Sea and over Jordan to possess that land promised to Abraham. America also traversed the Atlantic crossing over water to a new land which God had prepared to be revealed in its time. But, where do the people of God cross over to now? There is becoming only one place left to go, and it is not in this world.
If we follow the biblical history of Israel, we cannot only see aspects of our own history, but also know things to come. America, like Israel was brought out of oppression across the waters to deliverance, and from deliverance to victory and freedom as a people and a great nation. Notwithstanding, the same back and forth moments between moments of glory and moments of shame exist. Moments of strength and prosperity and moments of weakness and poverty followed both. The majority of biblical kings over Israel and Judea did evil before the Lord. Even so, from time to time a righteous king would arise and there would be restoration. Apostasy to revival, revival to apostasy and idolatry, a cycle that lasted until there was no more revival.
How then did Israel fall? It is clear. Israel fell, and later Judah, through whoredoms. They had many lovers, rich nations whom they traded with and admired and desired to be like. Thus, bedazzled by their lovers they forsook their own traditions, values, and beliefs, and turned from God to worship other gods. They joined with other nations. The end result would be the destruction of their nation and captivity. This is where America is today.
The fall of Israel came about because they embraced the nations about them and wanted to be like them. Israel surrendered being chosen to become a part of the world, indulge in their cultures and wealth, and worship their gods.
America also has followed the same path. Very few sitting in high places of power wish to retain the heritage and blessings bestowed upon the nation. They are not only willing to sell out America’s traditions, morals, and laws, trampling the Constitution and Bill of Rights, but to do it eagerly, as a prostitute running after her reward. Courts look to international law for precedents. Corporations have international loyalty and outsource labor. Government puts the American people last to supplant the citizens and break their power. Many Americans are now waking up to find themselves correlate wrapped in cords of bondage without the strength to break the bands.
My mind keeps going back to Samson, and America as Samson blinded. As Samson lost the covering of his head—(his hair which he was commanded that it should not be cut, symbolizing the rule of God over mind)—and all his strength was gone with it, our nation also ceased to be minded and guided by God as the covering of our head. Are we still truly one nation under God?
I do not believe America is coming back to the pinnacle of its height as a worldly super-power, nor to its former wealth and glory. However, I do have hope revival is coming and a restoration of strength. Just as Samson was revived one last time for one last battle, wherein those who were slain in his death were more than those slain in his life. This is what I keep coming back to in my thoughts of Christianity being the essential source of inspiration in the founding America. Metaphorically speaking, maybe, as with Samson, there is a greater work and a greater victory to be accomplished in ‘death’ than in living gloriously in prosperity.
https://christiansjewsbiblicalnews.com/
thought provoking. good post thanks.
Read later.
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