Because you have thought yourself
to have the mind of a god,
Therefore I will bring against you
foreigners, the most barbarous of nations.
They shall draw their swords
against your beauteous wisdom...
The scriptures today present a stark contrast between those who know the Lord and those who do not. The latter are represented by Tyre, a major ancient city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Like all rulers of important nations, the "prince of Tyre" had to maintain his power by assuring his subjects of their privilege, entitlement, and security. So long as he governed, and they both supported and obeyed him, they had nothing to worry about.
With those assurances he could collect enormous wealth while letting some scraps fall from the tables of the wealthy to his gullible subjects. The nation might attain a high level of technological and cultural sophistication. Wrapped in secure borders, they could regard foreign nations as inferior, barbaric savages, without culture or knowledge of higher truths.
But Tyre, like all other nations, was built on the illusion of its own superiority. Because they did not know the Lord, or even want to; they enjoyed neither his favor nor his protection. The city was conquered by the swords of Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome; and is now a tourist attraction in Lebanon.
The World History Library describes modern Tyre,
"In the present day, Tyre relies primarily on tourism to sustain its economy. Archaeological excavations began there in earnest in 1946 and have continued, sporadically, ever since. Continuing conflict in the region throughout the latter part of the 20th century up through the present has hampered archeological work and, at times, completely stalled tourism, damaging the economy and preventing further exploration of one of the greatest cities of antiquity.
Other cities and nations with their gods have fared far worse.
God's people survive in two major religions because God remains faithful to us. His Spirit continues to gather and call us to worship him. Our differences in that respect are not as important as we might suppose. Jews become Jewish, and they are regarded as Jewish by their birth of Jewish parents; and Christians become Christian by accepting the religion and faith of Jesus Christ. But that difference is relative as many people become Jewish and most Christians became so by adopting the faith of their parents.
Neither religion survives on its strength, effort, or determination. They have never won the hearts and minds of consumers who want what they want when they want it. If consumers know anything of God, it's only because they have sometimes been curious, like the tourists in Tyre, about spirituality. But the god of spirituality has all the staying power of morning dew, a puff of smoke or a passing cloud.
We survive because God wills it. His blessing is irrevocable. If we can claim anything for ourselves it's only that we heard his call; and we had suffered enough to realize our ways are not God's way, and his ways are better. Blessed with divine wisdom we give up houses. brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, children and lands for the sake of his name.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.