Principle 2 - God judges nations based on the amount of light and opportunity they are given.
Two examples are brought forward by the author. The first is the grace given to the Canaanites before they were overthrown by Joshua. They were given 400 years before their time was up. Also, Jonah wrote about how Nineveh received grace when God was about to judge them. Those two nations did not have much light - therefore, they seemed to receive more patience from God.
The author then goes on to say that Israel received a stricter judgment from God.
However, Israel had a covenant relationship with God. It is estimated that Joshua conquered the land of Israel around 1400 BC. Judah was overthrown around 600 BC. So that's approximately 800 years of being in covenant with God. And we have record of God's patience with Israel. We hear how He longed for them to come back to Him. To be fair, there were also periods when the people of Israel behaved themselves.
So I am not in total agreement with this second principle. I do believe this principle is totally correct with regards to individuals. Jesus said...
Luke 12:47-48 - "And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
The author wraps up this chapter with two main points.
1. Responsibility is based on knowledge.
Before you can be charged with having the light, you must know what the light is. Israel had a direct line to God. America has a great Christian heritage. There are many who have a direct relationship with God. So we have the opportunity to correct this country's path an avoid a strict judgment from God.
2. When we speak of God judging a nation, we often simply mean that the natural consequences of the sin of a nation accumulate and are intensified.
There are times when God withdraws Himself at allows a country to reap what it sows. God, in Hosea 5, said...
Hosea 5:6 - They will go with their flocks and herds To seek the LORD, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them.
Have you ever thought about what this would look like in our society? Could we discern when God has withdrawn from our midst?
For example, I think that the dismal outlook on the next generation is a natural consequence of a lack of education - which may be a natural consequence of lack of time and attention to the children - which may be a natural consequence of bad choices - such as teen pregnancy, or divorce.
When the majority of children in the country are being raised in single parent households, and there isn't sufficient time given to the children because the parents are weighed down with burdens, the country will suffer.
However, there are many with the light of Christ in this country. It starts with a proper one on one relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Then that relationship must be shown through our actions. Not only will it change the natural downward trend, but it also allows God to bless this country direct from heaven.
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