God is God of all peoples, not just Americans

LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 98: 9

http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/112404.htm

 

What would the world look like if the peoples of all nations were ruled with justice and equity?   For one thing, the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court would extend to the US, and Bush would join Milosevics in the dock standing trial for war crimes.   For another, debts to the World Bank would be forgiven, and every country would have a fair chance to own and develop its own natural resources.

 

The Bible clearly states, over and over, that God is for the underdog, and God's justice is meant to counter the rapacity and bullying of the mighty.  The idea that one country should impose its will on the entire world, as Bush is seeking to do, is anathema to the Bible. 

 

Jesus lived in times similar to ours, in that the Roman Republic had just become an empire and was seeking to extend its power.  He replaced the covenant that God had made with the chosen people, the Jews, with a covenant mediated through His sacrifice on the cross.  By reaching out to "unclean" people such as the Samaritans, He made it clear that He came for everyone.  His apostles extended this, by abolishing the rituals that distinguished Jews from other peoples, such as circumcision and the dietary laws. 

 

The UN embodies the vision of Isaiah.  Written on the wall of the main building is the prophecy of Isaiah 2:4, "They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more."

 

In the name of the Prince of Peace,   Carol Wolman