National Security Pt. 2
NATIONAL INSECURITY
Why would Israel want a king?
Why would Israel want a king?
Remember Egypt? Count 'em: not 1, not 2, not 3,but 4, that's right 400 years of slavery! Indeed, Israel knew what hard times were. The nice thing about a strong nation, which requires strong leadership, is that hard times are less likely. As Americans we experience this reality and yet we hardly realize or even appreciate the security and peace we possess.
Just read the book of Judges. This gives a great sense of instability... Israel would stray from God, and so He would allow other nations to oppress them. Read the story of Gideon and you'll see Israel impoverished. The other nations steal the crops they work so hard to grow. They live in caves and fear.
Read the book of Esther. Do you know what Esther saved the nation of Israel from? Genocide. The Jews were supposed to be completely destroyed... It's the same thing Hitler tried to do in World War II. Have you ever heard of Rwanda? Genocide occurred there in 1994. Have you ever heard of Darfur? While the U.N. debates, genocide is occurring there right now. Have you ever heard of Uganda? The tragedy that has resulted from an unstable government is incomprehensible.
Government is a good thing. As soon as it breaks down, danger bashes in the front door of our little comfortable homes. Just scroll around the BBC website link to Africa
and you'll notice the trend... the weaker the government, the scarier it gets. I think this is a good modern representation of the tribal wars and power struggles Israel was in the midst of when they demanded a king.
Vulnerable nations want security!
Just read the book of Judges. This gives a great sense of instability... Israel would stray from God, and so He would allow other nations to oppress them. Read the story of Gideon and you'll see Israel impoverished. The other nations steal the crops they work so hard to grow. They live in caves and fear.
Read the book of Esther. Do you know what Esther saved the nation of Israel from? Genocide. The Jews were supposed to be completely destroyed... It's the same thing Hitler tried to do in World War II. Have you ever heard of Rwanda? Genocide occurred there in 1994. Have you ever heard of Darfur? While the U.N. debates, genocide is occurring there right now. Have you ever heard of Uganda? The tragedy that has resulted from an unstable government is incomprehensible.
Government is a good thing. As soon as it breaks down, danger bashes in the front door of our little comfortable homes. Just scroll around the BBC website link to Africa
and you'll notice the trend... the weaker the government, the scarier it gets. I think this is a good modern representation of the tribal wars and power struggles Israel was in the midst of when they demanded a king.
Vulnerable nations want security!
posted by erich at 12:55 AM
3 Comments:
Hey Erich, yeah I have often realized how much we take for granite the fact that other countrys are suffering way more than us, I mean...here our biggest problem is are we gonna be late for work or not.
So is part of what you are saying isreal wants a king because they were a weak nation, or just insecure?
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Randy
11:33 AM
Maybe it's because they are afraid of being weak. At this time, they could be on top of the world and within a few short years they could be the under dogs. At this point, they aren't necessarily weak. Consider modern day Israel... they are extremely aggressive in dealing with the surrounding nations. Israel is very powerful because they've got a superior military force funded by the U.S. Yet, they are so terrified of being the victim that they'll strike even if someone gives them a funny look. Since the Holocaust 65 years ago they've decided they'll never let that happen to them again. Therefore, they are insecure (afraid of being overpowered) and yet very powerful at the same time.
Back to historical context: in just a few short years of Israel's demand for a king a massive national crisis arises. The Philistine army with their champion, Goliath, are about to wipe the nation of Israel off the face of the planet. This goes to show how fast the tables can turn... that's called vulnerability.
2:58 PM
I was just reading Judges chap. 1 and 2 and it just surprised me how compassionate and loving, and merciful God was towards those bad people. They did so many wrong things against Him but he still gave them Grace everytime they were in trouble. God is soo good and He loves us with the love that a father has for his children, and that can never be shaken. It just reminded me to pray and thank God for his mercys. He's so good to us!
Rachel ; P
9:42 AM
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