President Obama is a firm believer in the equality of all people. In his recent inaugural speech he once again invoked the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”
Inasmuch as the concept of equality is such a major issue in contemporary politics it stands to reason that the Bible would address and shed light on the issue. The Bible will, however, reveal that God deals with men individually rather than equally.
Consider Pharaoh’s role at the time of the Exodus of the Children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
“‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.’ Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens…Romans 9:17b-18
God preordained Pharaoh’s role to resist God’s plan for the Israelites so that He could reveal His mighty power to all the earth. The above passage goes on to state that God exercises His absolute sovereignty by having mercy on some individuals while He hardens the hearts of others. The Apostle Paul continues to explain God’s sovereignty in fulfilling His purpose for Israel and all mankind.
What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called…’” Romans 9:22-24a
Note particularly the phrases ‘prepared for destruction’ and ‘prepared beforehand for glory’. God would endure temporarily those prepared for destruction in order to accomplish His overall purpose and execute His wrath in due time. Likewise He would bestow His mercy on those prepared to receive the riches of His glory. This passage speaks more of polarization than equalization.
The concept of inequality among men is introduced early in the Bible.
“Then he (Noah) said: ‘Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants he shall be to his brethren.’” Genesis 9:25
Recall further the beginning of two very different nations whose destinies were preordained prior to their existence; even before their leaders were born.
“(for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God…might stand…) it was said to her (Rebecca), ‘The older shall serve the younger’, As it is written, ‘Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.’” Romans 9:11-13
The Bible contains numerous examples of specific purposes of individuals determined years, and in several instances centuries, prior to one’s birth.
For example, a man pre-named Josiah was ordained to destroy an altar at Bethel on which false priests burned incense during the reign of Jeroboam.
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, a child, Josiah by name shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priest of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you.’” 1 Kings 13:2
Several centuries later that prophecy was fulfilled in explicit detail.
“Moreover the alter that was at Bethel and the high place…he (Josiah) broke down…and he sent and took the bones and burned them on the altar…according to the word of the LORD…” 2 Kings 23:15-16
Both Jeroboam and Josiah were destined to fulfill God’s will and plan in totally different ways.
There are vivid examples of individual calling and purpose in the Gospel records.
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him…’” John 9:1-3
The wisest man in history summed up the concept of individualism and its purpose.
“The LORD has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.” Proverbs 16:4
Therefore, egalitarianism is a progressive agenda which has little in common with Biblical teachings.