The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Ezekiel 26:2-3,
"Son of man, because Tyre has said of Jerusalem, 'Aha! The gate to the nations is broken, and its doors have swung open to me; now that she lies in ruins I will prosper,' therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, O Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, like the sea casting up its waves."
As the four nations in the previous chapter, the Lord prophecies judgment against Judah's neighbor, Tyre, for looking to take advantage of Judah's judgment. The Lord says he will bring up "many nations" against her.
The events recorded in the Old Testament contain much about the activity of the Lord in the affairs of the various nations. Certainly Israel, but also the nations surrounding her, as well as the "super-powers" of the day. We read of the interaction of the Lord in these various nations through his manipulation of the hearts of their leaders as, say, Pharaoh of Egypt, and also through such things as international military threats designed to create alliances, etc. All with a purpose of fulfilling the Lord's intentions. He has used various nations to accomplish his purposes.
That same theme does not stand out in our New Testament. Where there certainly is much in the way the Lord dealt with individuals in the Old Testament, there is much about his interaction on the national/international scene. However the New Testament's focus is mainly on individuals as opposed to international intrigue. This is certainly so following the earthly ministry of Jesus, after the birth of church, the crusade of evangelism begun and prior to the events we read of in Revelation.
So, is the Lord no longer involved with international affairs today? Is he concerned with individuals on an individual level only today? Or, do the events of our day reflect what the Lord may be doing? Does the Lord have any intentions, any purposes relative to the terrorism of the Mideast, to the famine and genocide taking place in Africa, to political movements at home and abroad? If he has, what are they?
From Scripture we know the Lord is "the same yesterday, today, and forever." There doesn't seem to be anything in the New Covenant to indicate he has retired from his involvements on the national/international stage. The focus on individuals in the New Testament prepares us to carry forward the ministry of redemption through the efforts of evangelism on an individual basis, but doesn't indicate God is done dealing with nations on a national/international level.
Because of this I attempt to interpret what I read and see in the news from this perspective. I admit I'm not good at understanding what God may be doing and why, but it is the grid through which I attempt to interpret the world around me. I see our God as a big, big God with his hands on all of the important issues of our day.
Just as he was during the day of Ezekiel!
As the four nations in the previous chapter, the Lord prophecies judgment against Judah's neighbor, Tyre, for looking to take advantage of Judah's judgment. The Lord says he will bring up "many nations" against her.
The events recorded in the Old Testament contain much about the activity of the Lord in the affairs of the various nations. Certainly Israel, but also the nations surrounding her, as well as the "super-powers" of the day. We read of the interaction of the Lord in these various nations through his manipulation of the hearts of their leaders as, say, Pharaoh of Egypt, and also through such things as international military threats designed to create alliances, etc. All with a purpose of fulfilling the Lord's intentions. He has used various nations to accomplish his purposes.
That same theme does not stand out in our New Testament. Where there certainly is much in the way the Lord dealt with individuals in the Old Testament, there is much about his interaction on the national/international scene. However the New Testament's focus is mainly on individuals as opposed to international intrigue. This is certainly so following the earthly ministry of Jesus, after the birth of church, the crusade of evangelism begun and prior to the events we read of in Revelation.
So, is the Lord no longer involved with international affairs today? Is he concerned with individuals on an individual level only today? Or, do the events of our day reflect what the Lord may be doing? Does the Lord have any intentions, any purposes relative to the terrorism of the Mideast, to the famine and genocide taking place in Africa, to political movements at home and abroad? If he has, what are they?
From Scripture we know the Lord is "the same yesterday, today, and forever." There doesn't seem to be anything in the New Covenant to indicate he has retired from his involvements on the national/international stage. The focus on individuals in the New Testament prepares us to carry forward the ministry of redemption through the efforts of evangelism on an individual basis, but doesn't indicate God is done dealing with nations on a national/international level.
Because of this I attempt to interpret what I read and see in the news from this perspective. I admit I'm not good at understanding what God may be doing and why, but it is the grid through which I attempt to interpret the world around me. I see our God as a big, big God with his hands on all of the important issues of our day.
Just as he was during the day of Ezekiel!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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