What Holds A People, A Family, A Nation, Together?
Deuteronomy 16:1-8 (NLT)
With Independence Day on the Horizon and the future of our country in doubt we must ask what it is that holds a nation together. Today’s passage speaks indirectly to this question, perhaps more directly than we think.
“In honor of the LORD your God, celebrate the Passover each year in the early spring, in the month of Abib, for that was the month in which the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. 2 Your Passover sacrifice may be from either the flock or the herd, and it must be sacrificed to the LORD your God at the designated place of worship—the place he chooses for his name to be honored. 3 Eat it with bread made without yeast. For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast, as when you escaped from Egypt in such a hurry. Eat this bread—the bread of suffering—so that as long as you live you will remember the day you departed from Egypt. 4 Let no yeast be found in any house throughout your land for those seven days. And when you sacrifice the Passover lamb on the evening of the first day, do not let any of the meat remain until the next morning. 5 “You may not sacrifice the Passover in just any of the towns that the LORD your God is giving you. 6 You must offer it only at the designated place of worship—the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored. Sacrifice it there in the evening as the sun goes down on the anniversary of your exodus from Egypt. 7 Roast the lamb and eat it in the place the LORD your God chooses. Then you may go back to your tents the next morning. 8 For the next six days you may not eat any bread made with yeast. On the seventh day proclaim another holy day in honor of the LORD your God, and no work may be done on that day." Deuteronomy 16:1-8 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog
What is the commonality which holds America together? Many think that it is the idea of independence, liberty from the imposition of the will of others onto the rights of individuals. We will celebrate Independence Day on Sunday, many will visit the Liberty Bell, others will cite “the right to (my!) life , liberty and the pursuit of justice”. And millions will watch fireworks symbolizing bloody wars, power, and sacrifice of life to protect (my!!) rights.
However, it looks, to me at least, that when rights devolve into the protection of “my” rights then we get a nation which becomes tribal, each “tribe” with it’s own set of rights to protect and own set of demands for justice pursue. But what will hold America together?
Today’s passage is what has held Jewish people together for over three millenia. It’s fascinating to me that Judaism has held for over 3,000 years because of the practice of a common faith. If the numbers I got are right, most Jewish people are unbelievers yet most still keep some form of Passover as detailed in today’s passage, a ritual for remembering their past, God’s intervention on their behalf, and to honor God Himself.
Take some time to read today’s passage thoughtfully. Notice the detail and the reason for the detail. Passover is a reminder of who a Jew is. Now think about what rituals you practice to remind you of who you are. What do they signify to you? Do they remind you of who you are as an American and your implied responsibilities or do they set you apart from others. How do your ritual practices bind you to God in Jesus Christ, and at the same bind you to a love of other Americans and indeed the world?
One other question. Is love of God compatible with nationalism? How does your answer play a role in your life?
(to post your thoughts, anonymously if you wish, simply click on “comments” below)
The last question is one I have been pondering for a few weeks. I came up with an impossible scenario in order to accentuate the differences between a "good" Christian and a "good" American.
ReplyDelete**What if our leaders designed a plan that would allow us to completely take over the Middle East without a single American life lost? We would have unobstructed access to one of the richest regions in the world, our country, our people, would grow unbelievably rich and powerful. America's problems would just dissolve.
**But millions of non-American lives would be lost. Entire cultures, peoples, ways of life would be obliterated to fulfill our hunger for power. We would be murderers, thieves, no better than common street muggers.
**What would I support? A "good" patriot would want his country to prosper (imagine the era of beautiful prosperity we would experience), but a "good" Christian would never endorse such bloodshed and greed. I tell myself now that God would come first in my life, and I would fight such an unbelievable (impossible) opportunity. But what if it actually happened?
Anon #1...Your "good" Christian vs "good" American scenario seems distorted. Have you read the writings of the Pilgrims and the founders of this country? Have you joined in their prayers that this country would be a shining city on a hill whose Builder and Maker is God or have you decided that being a patriot and a Christian are mutually exclusive? The scenario you describe mirrors what God told His children to do when entering Canaan. His reason was to rid the land of the pollution caused by the sins of the Canaanites and to protect His children from the ramifications of partaking in that sin. In your version the destruction is because of America's
ReplyDeletegreed and hunger for power.Are you seeing patriotic Americans through your own heart motives or prejudices? I thank God that I was born in the US rather almost any Middle Eastern country. Why? #1.I have the freedom to worship God in a Christian church, that is impossible in Saudi Arabia & dangerous in many other Middle Eastern countries.#2. My daughter was raped; in this country her rapist went to jail, in most Middle Eastern countries she would be put to death for dishonoring her family. Over 50% of women incarcerated in Middle Eastern countries are there because they've been raped.#3.My daughters and I have not been subjected to FGM as would be the case in Pakistan, Egypt and many other Middle Eastern countries. #4. A woman's testimony in court in the US has the same weight as that of a man, not so in most Middle Eastern countries. #5 Because I've been outspoken and active on behalf of women and girls suffering under Middle Eastern culture, I've been threatened with torture and death, along with other things I won't even mention.Would I like to see the US take over the Middle East to see our nation's problems "dissolve"? No, but as a person who has tried to help women & girls suffering under the awful misogyny and oppressive religion of the Middle East, I wouldn't use that area as an example needing protection from the US.
Anon #1, I'm sorry, I was wrong. I responded without taking the time to really meditate on your scenario. You are not my enemy and did not deserve to be treated as such. Please forgive my terrible behavior and unreasonable words.
ReplyDeleteAnon #2
Don't worry about it. I can understand the pain that made you lash out, it's only human. I do think you may have misunderstood my scenario, though. The Middle East was just an example; it could have been replaced by any other resource rich region in this world (Nigeria maybe?). I was only trying to create an uncomfortable balance between patriotism and Christianity that would force us to make a personal choice, one that could not be rationalized or quantified in any way.
ReplyDeleteAnon#1
Anon #1, Thank you for your gentle response. I did reread your original post and understand now.You have shown mercy to me, I am grateful.
ReplyDeleteAnon #2