The history of Israel’s lengthy and painful odyssey can be traced to their handling of issues counter to God’s instructions. Recall further the New Testament writer Paul stated that God’s dealing with Israel was to be examples for the present age.
Therefore, it is possible to get a glimpse of America’s future by comparing our handling of current issues with Israel’s past and the immutable word of God.
The first three of the seven steps to judgment focus on economic and/or fiscal policy.
1) Redistribution, or taking from one and giving to another
Redistribution assumes that our government knows what is best not only for each individual, but also for the nation as a whole. Such an assumption is not Biblically based.
“…Riches and honor are with me…that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.” Proverbs 22:18-21
“As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth…this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 5:19
2) Tax assessments and use of tax revenue
Taxes are indeed appropriate but should be used for the general purposes of protecting citizens and maintaining order, not to facilitate redistribution.
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good…For because of this you also pay taxes…” Romans 13:3, 6
3) Borrowing money to run the government
Consider just the amount of money the United States has borrowed from China. A debtor status partially defines the relationship between the two parties.
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7
The next three steps leading to judgment relate to social issues.
4) Political correctness
This is one of the primary destructive issues of today resulting in:
a) distorting and/or ignoring truth and reality
b) passivity
c) loss of freedoms
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world…” Colossians 2:8
5) Obsession with ‘rights’
Many think, and in fact are taught, that every citizen has certain rights such as the right to government funded health care, the right to own a home, the right to a college education, etc. etc.
“As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, so is he who gets riches,
but not by right; it will leave him in the midst of his days, and at his end he will be a fool.” Jeremiah 17:11
6) Judges with ideologies that promote their agenda from the bench
In the recent judicial election in Wisconsin, partisan identity ruled. It
was less about qualification and more about ideology, i.e. would the winner be conservative or liberal; one who would either support the governor’s agenda or rule against it. Such partiality is particularly obvious in the ninth circuit court of appeals. This tendency is even more flagrant during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court justices.
“Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes…then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, or the stranger who is with him. You shall not show partiality in judgment…’” Deuteronomy 1:13-17
“Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God
shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.’” Acts 10:34-35
7) Israel
The seventh step leading to judgment relates to foreign policy and is perhaps the most significant and yet it appears to be given secondary priority status, not only with our government but in some places even the ‘church.’ That issue is Israel. This administration is not only marginalizing Israel, but is even coddling her enemies. Israel’s most significant self-proclaimed enemy is Islam and those who tolerate Islam’s agenda to eliminate Israel.
God chose Israel to reveal Himself to all the other nations. Nothing has changed. Those who ignore that mandate will be dealt with severely.
“Now the LORD had said to Abram… ‘I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great…I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you…’” Genesis 12:1-3
Therefore, our handling of economic, social, and foreign policy issues are not in sync with the Bible and the consequences cannot be ignored.
As another glaring example of American’s march towards judgment consider the present debacle surrounding past presidential contender John Edwards. Our judicial system overlooked the coveting, the adultery, and the lies to cover it up, but he was indicted because he allegedly used campaign contributions for personal reasons.
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness…woe to those who are wise in their own eyes…Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness…because they have rejected the law of the LORD…” Isaiah 5:20-24