What Holds America Together?
Deuteronomy 16:9-12 (NLT)
“Count off seven weeks from when you first begin to cut the grain at the time of harvest. 10 Then celebrate the Festival of Harvest to honor the LORD your God. Bring him a voluntary offering in proportion to the blessings you have received from him. 11 This is a time to celebrate before the LORD your God at the designated place of worship he will choose for his name to be honored. Celebrate with your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the Levites from your towns, and the foreigners, orphans, and widows who live among you. 12 Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, so be careful to obey all these decrees." Deuteronomy 16:9-12 (NLT)
Pastor's Blog
You can read about how this celebration turned out 50 days (Pentecost) after Jesus was crucified in Acts 2:42-47. But what does this have to do with who we are as a nation?
Today’s passage records Moses’ institution of the annual feast of Pentecost for the Jewish nation. Acts 2 records how this feast became one of the three main annual celebrations in Christianity. It is the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out to all believers, thereby creating the world wide Church of God in Jesus Christ. It’s the birthday of the Church!
Do you notice who gets in on this plentiful feast, both in Deuteronomy and in Acts?
Now read this very, very beautiful poem by Emma Lazarus found on the inside of the statue of Liberty. In it the author contrasts justice for all by means of power, with justice for all by quite another means.
The New Colossus
By Emma Lazarus, 1883
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
(to post your thoughts, anonymously if you wish, simply click on “comments” below)
Emma Lazarus, an American, wrote this beautiful poem after learning about the murderous pogroms against her fellow Jews in Russia and much of Eastern Europe. The United States was one of the few countries where anti-semitism wasn't a government sanctioned ideology. Those refugees from almost unthinkable persection and slaughter found something in the United States that was nearly beyond comprehension for themselves and their children...freedom from fear. Having met people who've escaped torture and the constant terror that accompanies religious and political persecution has given me such an appreciation for the liberty God has allowed us to enjoy in this country. The gratitude shown by those who've escaped real oppression is a testimony to the mercy and grace God has poured out on us. What a treasure He has given us, may we never forget His goodness to us and "the homeless, tempest-tost" He has allowed to breathe free in this land. Bless His Holy Name!
ReplyDeleteThank you, both, for this history and imput. I pray that God will lead our country to standards that He would approve of, standards that recognize His grace is manifest in all that is good.
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