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Nations come and Nations Go

Today's readings are from Jeremiah 46, 47, 48

Reading the end of Jeremiah is like reading a preamble to history. The nations that Jeremiah all wrote about disappear...little by little..from history. One could say Egypt is still around, but the Egypt today has no resemblance to the Egypt of Jeremiah's day.

It's an important principle in understanding the Kingdom of God. Sixteen hundred years ago the great North African theologian, Augustine, wrote a massive work to refute the charges of Roman elitists that the destruction of Rome was the fault of the Christian religion. He wrote his book, "The City of God" and in it he lays out the principle: Nations will come and Nations will go, but the Kingdom of God will last forever. God is the one who gives life to nations, but as they develop they often become corrupt and in time they lose their legitimacy for ruling. It should make us as Americans pause to prayerfully think.

Peace


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Comments

Paul said…
Many things start out with good intentions don't they. One example that sticks out in my mind is King Solomon. As he starts out his rule, God asked him what he wanted. When Solomon answered correctly in wanting wisdom and knowledge to govern God's people, God grants him not only this but also "wealth, riches, and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have." God thinks this story is so important he tells it to us twice. (once in 1 Kings, and once in 2 Chronicles) 1 Kings 11:9 says "The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord." Even a king such as Solomon eventually turned away from the Lord. How can I learn from this? I can learn from this by realizing it could happen to me if I am not focused on the one who is good,just,righteous,all-knowing,gentle,compassionate,humble-should I go on? Thanks Elliott for doing this excercise, leading our fellowship, but most of all for doing a really good job at listening to the Spirit. (I think)
May 28, 2011 at 6:25 PM
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