National Status

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:20

Deuteronomy starts off summarizing some of Israel's history after having left Egypt.

It discusses their failures and their conquests - all relative to their obedience or disobedience to God - the God of the Bible - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

What stood out to me today was the fact that they displaced others in their advancements. There were, un-apologetically, wars and conquests. It was life - it was real. Israel's gain was other's loss.

As I look all around me today in the United States, I see how this country has evolved from the time of the first early settlers. Those first settlers were in pursuit of religious freedom. As their populations increased and their presence spread across the land, their gain was other's loss.

As long as there have been people, there have been nations rise and fall. There have been conquests and acquisitions and there have been atrocities.

Today's One Year Chronological Bible reading chronicles cases where Israel completely wiped out the people they encountered - men, women, and children. Today we call this genocide.

So, what is the point? Nations rise and nations fall. Israel's rise was attributed to their obedience to God. Their difficulties and failures were attributed to their disobedience to God.

It really does come down to whom we serve (as nations and peoples). However, few believe and embrace this idea today.

Father, help us to have a proper understanding of our status in the world today. Help us to see clearly that our national status is relative to our status with You.