Thought Quotient

As we enter the last few days of the election, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the issues at stake. As it turns out, I’ve also been doing a lot of Bible study - particularly in the Old Testament prophets. Hold on! Before you shut me out… NO, I’m not going to be making any prophetic utterances about the election! I just noticed an interesting recurring parallel between our country’s current state and the message of God through the prophets to Israel.

Repeatedly in the prophets, the message from God is summed up in the following:

1. I have decided to send judgment on you because of your evil behavior and idolatry

2. Repent and turn from your evil ways and idolatry

3. If you do repent…

a. You will be forgiven and I may yet turn back my wrath.

b. Our relationship will be renewed and I will bless you.

4. If you do not repent…

a. This punishment will certainly come upon you.

b. When you do repent - and you will because this judgment is going to be awful - I will forgive you, but the punishment will still come.

c. A faithful remnant (remaining faithful population) will be protected in their obedience.

d. I will punish and destroy your enemies (whom I have made victorious over you).

(See Jeremiah 25-27)

Why is this interesting? Because I believe (and scripture seems to imply) that this is characteristic of the way God deals with his people in general - both as individuals and as nations. So, if our nation - founded on Christian principles - refuses to repent and turn from its evil ways - child sacrifice (abortion), sexual immorality (homosexuality and rampant adultery), idolatry (religious pluralism and cultural relativism)… I fear that God will pour out His discipline on us. If He allowed the nations of Israel and Judah (His chosen nations) to be overthrown by Babylon and Rome, why should we expect anything else?

Now, here’s the really interesting part. If you read in Jeremiah 27:8-22 you will find that God finally made His judgment certain. Babylon would overthrow all the nations of Israel. They would be taken into captivity. And they were not to rebel against this because it was God’s judgment. If they rebelled against Babylon, they would be destroyed. They were to accept the discipline of the Lord and God would deliver them after their time of captivity - which He did! If they accepted this discipline, though they would be captive, they could live and remain.

Here’s my point. Right now, I believe we have a chance to stand and act and repent - as individuals and as a nation - before God. But God will not always hold off His judgment and discipline. And the time may come when we have no choice but to accept His discipline and surrender our freedom. I pray that time would not come. But God does not change and though He is abundant in mercy - unless His people act and speak out - history tells us it most likely will come. Let us stand in His name - in love, in dignity, but also in truth! Vote your conscience, vote on the issues!

In a recent debate (read the full transcript here), Alan Keyes pointed out a difference between himself and Barack Obama, which also is common in many political races around the country…

When it really comes down to it, though Senator Obama professes faith when it’s convenient to get votes, at the hard points where that faith must be followed and explained to folks, and stood up for and witnessed to as folks who were martyrs in the early church said, he then pleads separation of church and state, something found nowhere in the Constitution, and certainly found nowhere in the Scripture as such.

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