Playground Justice

As a child, you could say I had an overdeveloped sense of justice.  I was intentional about finishing my classwork at school very quickly.  While my peers completed their work, I designated myself to be a rule- enforcing deputy of sorts.  I would observe if my classmates took short cuts in their exercises, if their eyes wandered to the work of their neighbors, and how well they cared for their textbooks and other school issued materials.  I had opinions on how everything ought to be done and rarely was satisfied with the efforts of those around me.  I thought I had all the answers, and my age hadn't even crossed into the double digits!

On one occasion, I took on the class bully.  A towheaded boy who was lean except for a little round belly, Chris was known for his rebellious behavior.  He back talked teachers and lunch monitors, took recess more seriously than any lesson in grammar, and had a reputation for picking fights.  Chris was not afraid to do what he wanted whenever he wanted.  One afternoon, my class was lining up to go inside from the playground.  I noticed Chris had cut in line; this was an unforgivable offense and I was swift to correct him.  I grabbed his shoulder from behind, and righteously declared, "You can't cut! Go to the back of the line!"  Before I knew it, he had grabbed my right hand and began to swing me around in a circle.  He released me just as quickly as he grabbed me, and my bare knees and hands skidded across the blacktop.  I had underestimated Chris's knowledge of physical science; apparently, he had learned a lesson on centripetal force from the WWF.

To add insult to injury (literally, as I had been bloodied by my opponent), I was sent to the principal's office as the instigator of the fight.  I was no different than my rule breaking foe in the eyes of the law.  I attempted to appeal to the principal's reason; I was an honorable citizen upholding the law of the land when no one else would.  She didn't see it that way, and my mom was called in for a parent-teacher conference to discuss my disobedience.  I was punished and felt a tremendous amount of chagrin (well, as much as a 3rd grader can feel...).

Ah, but the story didn't end there.  As dorky and obnoxious as a must have been, somehow I managed to become a favorite pupil to my 3rd grade teacher.  Knowing my character, as well as Chris's, Mrs. Reidy came to my rescue.  She sang my praises to my mother and suggested that I needn't be punished so harshly since it was my first major offense.  With that, my mom canceled my sentence to be grounded, and I repented from being an elementary despot (like a tiny Tracy Flick).

Thank goodness my little and big sister survived my unwarranted tyranny.

 A couple of entries ago, I shared with you how my passion for politics trumped my pursuit of God.  Now that I'm older, wiser, and so much more mature (giggle now, if you must), I could tell my worldview was missing one major element: GRACE.  Without my relationship with God, I fear I may have spent the better part of my life as an adherent to tough justice and unforgiveness.

I was recently listening to the Bible Study Hour with Dr. James Boice.  He taught on the parable of the unmerciful servant (here's a link to Dr. Boice's message).  This story is about a man who won’t forgive a small debt, even after his own huge debt has been forgiven.  I found similarities with this parable in my own childhood story.  My third grade teacher showed me mercy even after I had been quick to judge my fellow classmate.  As an adult, I must confront this nasty knack to be critical and seek to show grace to others.  Just as the master said, "Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?", I can hear God asking me, "Leah, shouldn't you have mercy on your husband, neighbor, child, friend, cashier, family member, fellow drivers, etc just as I had on you?"  When I reflect on all the things in my life that God has forgiven, how can I not look compassionately on those around me?  It's thanks to God that my eyes were opened.

I want to leave you with a verse from a great Biblical book on justice.  Micah wrote:

And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? 

(Micah 6:8)

Old Testament Politics

For the past year and a half I have been doing an excellent Bible study called the Amazing Collection.  Here's a little video about it:


As I was saying, I am doing this study that spends a week on every book of the Bible.  I've learned so much working my way through the Old Testament (I'm halfway through the minor prophets right now).  I've noticed particularly in the historical books how pertinent government is.  In Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, God instructs Israel (through Moses) on law, justice, military, census taking, nationalism, and leadership.  Joshua and Judges center on God ordained conquest, division of property, and national defense.  In Ruth you'll find social subjects like godly marriage and caring for immigrants and widows.  1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings hold a record of God's kingship being supplanted by man, civil war, revolutions, assassinations, state sponsored violence against religious leaders, and a separatist movement that divides one kingdom into two.  These books ultimately end with foreign invasion, occupation, subjugation, deportation, and destruction in Israel's homeland.  All of that is in the Bible!  If the history of Israel doesn't have political implications, I don't know what does.

I know I've simplified some themes in the historical books of the Old Testament (and truly there is so much more to them that I couldn't begin to describe).  I just wanted share with you what I've discovered~ Politics matter to God.  Don't worry; I'm not going to write a personal position paper and try to convince you how my view is a good Christian outlook.  Instead I wanted to highlight a few things in scripture that show me the character of God.

1)  God can intervene and overcome the will of the head of a nation.  He is more powerful than the most powerful man on earth (whoever it may be).

• God completely upends Pharaoh's persistence in keeping Israel in bondage.  Pharaoh's stubborn attitude was no match for the 10 plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.  This can be found in Exodus.
• In his pride, Nebuchadnezzar is transformed by God from the ruler of the greatest empire of the age, Babylon, to a wild animal.  He is restored to normal life and his place of authority after he acknowledges God as the most high.  This is in the book of Daniel.
• Most impressive may be Cyrus king of Persia who permits the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem.  A later Persian king, Artaxerxes, dispatches his personal official, Nehemiah, to oversee the rebuilding of the wall around the temple.  It certainly wasn't in their national interest to do so.  These events were recorded in 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.  There is even prophecy about Cyrus rebuilding the temple in the book of Isaiah. 

(There are more examples, I just chose these to illustrate non-Jewish leaders' interactions with God.  Other good ones are Xerxes/Ahasurerus in the book of Esther and King Belshazzar in the book of Daniel)

2)  God calls only some to spiritual leadership and some to political leadership, but he rarely if ever calls the same person to fulfill both roles.  

• Moses and Aaron are great examples of a political leader and a spiritually leader (respectively).  Moses was raised as Egyptian royalty; his experience uniquely qualified him to lead Israel into becoming an orderly nation under God.  Conversely Aaron was selected and charged with priestly duties ranging from sacrifice and offerings, care for the tabernacle, and spiritual training for his family to continue serving the Lord and the people.  Their experiences are recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
• Samuel and Saul similarly represent spiritual and political leaders.  Samuel literally was brought up in the temple to be a priest.  Under God's instruction, he anointed the kings of Israel.  Though ordained to select a king, his primary responsibility was serving God.  King Saul had dominion over the nation of Israel by divine appointment.  He made the error of assuming spiritual authority that was not rightly his.   Saul was not supposed to make the burnt offering and fellowship offering before battle with the Philistines.  The result of his venture in unsanctioned spiritual leadership?  Saul's kingdom would not endure, and God replaced him with a new ruler, a man after his own heart, through whom God will establish an eternal kingdom (spoiler alert~ this refers to David & Jesus).  This can all be read in 1 Samuel.

3)  Obedience to God is apparently essential for the well-being of a nation.  Conversely there are consequences for the people if they are disobedient to God.  

• On a corporate level, the liberated Israelites cursed God when they became discouraged.  After fleeing Egypt, receiving the law at Mt. Sinai, and surviving on the provisions of God in the wilderness, the Israelites were on the precipice of entering the promised land.  Twelve men were commissioned to scout out the land being occupied by others; they found the Canaanites to be frightfully big.  Instead of believing God would provide a way, the people despaired.  God did not permit them to take the land.  They wandered aimlessly for 40 years until all in the unbelieving generation died.  This is found in Numbers.
• Moses' distrust of God had serious personal ramifications.  As a leader, he had a responsibility to model godly behavior in front of Israel.  When the people needed water, he struck a rock out of frustration to bring it forth.  Because he dishonored God by his behavior, Moses received the same punishment as his people~ he would die before he could enter the promised land (although he was permitted to see it).  This is also in the book of Numbers.

(I only included examples of disobedience because the rewards of obedience are a bit more of a challenge to convey accurately.  I am fearful of promoting some false prosperity gospel by talking about rewards in tangible means.  On a different note, the entire book of Judges illustrates the relationship between godliness and the health of a nation very well.)

4)  The morality of the leaders of the nation matters; if they set a poor example, the people are led astray.  

• Once Israel was divided into two nations, the Northern Kingdom (still called Israel) had a series of terrible kings.  'Terrible' means they instituted idol worship, allowed prostitutes in the temples, sacrificed their children to false gods, murdered, and lived absolutely depraved lives.  In a long list of Israel's wicked kings, only one (Jehoahaz) had any real redemptive qualities.  Even though he sought the favor of the Lord, it wasn't enough to turn the people back from their evil ways.  Israel was ultimately conquered by the Assyrians.
• Meanwhile the Southern Kingdom (called Judah), kings were more likely to stay steadfast in their faith.  Why?  The capitol, Jerusalem, was home to the temple.  Thus it was the center for godly worship and home to the Levitical priesthood.  They had nearly as many faithful kings as bad kings.  As such, they endured as a sovereign nation for a longer period of time.  Even though Judah was conquered by Babylon, after 70 years they were permitted to return to their home and rebuild their capitol.
• The king of Nineveh in the book of Jonah has a nearly inexplicable change of heart.  Jonah foretells the destruction of the Assyrians if they don't relent from their inhumane cruelty and submit to the God of Israel.  Miraculously and instantaneously, the king repents and compels the people to follow his lead.  The Lord delivers them from destruction because of their obedience.

5)  God's leaders aren't always selected through man's ideal ways. 

• Firstborns are not always heirs to the throne:  Arguably the first "head of state" in the Bible is Joseph.  He was given all authority over Egypt by Pharaoh in the book of Genesis.   His oldest brother, Reuben, may have felt some chagrin at Joseph's prominence.  In 1 Samuel we also learn David is the youngest among his brothers, and yet he is God's appointed king over Israel.
• The most prominent families aren't always deemed the best for the job:  King Saul came from humble beginnings.  Before his fall from grace, he had been chosen to govern God's people despite being a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and from the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.  His successor, David, was a shepherd; not exactly a big shot.  Both accounts are in 1 Samuel.
• God can raise a leader up out of a scandalous background:  Remember the saucy story of David and Bathsheba?  He had an affair with a married woman, tried to cover it up, and when he couldn't, he sent her husband to a certain death situation in battle.  The baby that David and Bathsheba conceived wasn't allowed to live because of David's sin.  However, did you ever here of a guy named Solomon?  He, too, is the offspring of David and Bathsheba.  He was the last king over a united Israel, presided over the longest period of peace in its history, and built God's temple in Jerusalem.  You can read about Bathsheba in 2 Samuel, and there's lots more on Solomon in 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles (not to mention the books he authored~ Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs).

(In the book of Esther there is another Joseph-type.  Mordecai, a Jew, is elevated to the most powerful position in the Persian kingdom.  Similarly, Daniel was a very influential leader in Babylon.  As for zeros to heros, Jesus is the most obvious Biblical king who started in a very lowly state.  He was born in a manger and spent a good bit of his childhood in Egypt away from his homeland.  Jesus also is the perfect illustration of a questionable background.  The immaculate conception could crudely be characterized as an unwed teen pregnancy.  Yet that miraculous event spurred the greatest miracle of all~ salvation for all who believe in Jesus.  Another scandalous event in Jesus, Solomon, and David's background happened with Judah, their ancestor and namesake of their tribe.  I won't share the nitty gritty details of the story, but he had a sleazy trist with his daughter-in-law Tamar which resulted in the birth of a child.  You can read about it in Genesis.)

To conclude, thanks for reading my reflections and interpretations on politics in the Old Testament.  I admit (as I have before) that I am no Bible scholar so you may find my examples to support my observations limited.  I freely invite you to share your thoughts and ask any questions.  If you would like the specific references on any of my examples,  I'd be happy to send them your way.  Again, thank you for visiting my blog; it's not the type of entry I'm used to posting and appreciate that you joining me out on my limb.

My list of Old Testament pre-exilic kings.  My sophisticated symbols for identifying good and evil kings are smileys and frownies (respectively).  Manasseh had two sad faces next to his name because he was super bad in Kings.  His stats should be updated to two frowns and one smile because he has a great redemption story in 2 Chronicles.  Totally didn't see that one coming!

Faith & Politics

Every time I've sat down to write lately, I have composed way too much for one post.  It's as if everything I'm either reading, hearing, or talking about revolves around  such a large topic that when I try to simplify what I'm thinking, I just limit the fullness of my thoughts.  It started with the book I'm reading, God and Government, by Charles Colson.  It's all about how Christians should approach their civic duties and provides a wide range of historical events as examples of Christian dos and don'ts.  In church on Sunday my pastor preached a wonderful sermon  centered very nearly on the same topic (you can enjoy Dr. Youssef's sermon entitled "Seek the Peace of the City" here).  Even on my book blog (on which I haven't posted since the babe's birth), I had a comment out of the blue concerning my take on a highly politically charged subject as a Christian.  I just cannot seem to escape one question:  How politically active should Christians be? 

I will admit that in the past I had stronger convictions about my  politics than about my faith.  I was unaware of it, but it's clear to me now that I probably couldn't have avoided it.  I came to faith in college, and in spite of my hunger for learning God's word, I was an international affairs student with stacks of books to read each semester full of ideology and worldly principles.  I spent the majority of my time with a coffee in hand and my nose in a book on diplomacy, just war theory, ethics, etc.  I also majored in French and minored in Spanish.  When I wasn't studying political theory, I had French novels and Spanish plays consuming any fun reading time.  It didn't leave much time or brainpower for exploring the Bible.  Although I loved my education, I feel a tinge of missed opportunity because I didn't devote myself to my faith with the same vigor I committed myself to school.  I say this particularly because my political education is rather meaningless without the acknowledgment of God as the one true sovereign king.

As I begin to explore this subject, I hope to share some of what I learn with you.  I am no scholar on the Bible or political theory.  I have a passionate interest in both.  It is a very important time in our nation's history to consider what actions need to be taken or words need to be spoken in order to uphold liberty and justice for all.  I hope to do this without sinning against any person and in a manner that honors my God.   Please feel free to share with me your thoughts on this matter. 

Touristy Leah~ Center of Washington, D.C. Summer 2009