Aug 25

Are you smarter than a 5^th grader in world geography?

1. What is the name of the European country where you can visit landmarks like the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower?
2. In what country can you marvel at the majesty of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids?
3. Where in the world is the Taj Mahal?
4. What is the name of the country where you can find the ancient ruins of the Parthenon?
5. Which country is home to the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
6. In which country can you discover the ancient, hidden city of Petra carved into the sandstone cliffs?

Answers:  France, Egypt, India, Greece, Italy and Jordan.

Does God care about the 300 nations of planet Earth? In a scathing attack the prophet Ezekiel pronounces drastic judgment on the nations of the 6^th century BC. In the cross hairs are the nations of Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, and Egypt.

Which brings us to the Jerry Springer questions of the day; "How can God judge these nations when they don't even acknowledge Him as their God?"  "Is it fair for the God of the Jews to judge other nations?"   The Biblical answer is that there is one God, one creator of heaven and earth, one sovereign who reigns over all the earth. And this true God does hold all nations accountable to His holy standard and His divine plan.   

The Apostle Paul says this about God in Acts 17.

-The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth.

-From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

It is God who made us. It is God who determines when and where nations exist. It is his prerogative as God to bless and judge all nations. He also commands all people to repent. He doesn't ask us or invite us; he commands us.  So what is the criterion by which God judges nations? In our reading today we gained several glimpses of the divine standard.

Ammon:  Because you said "Aha!" over my sanctuary when it was desecrated and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the people of Judah when they went into exile.

Moab:  Because Moab and Seir said, "Look, the house of Judah has become like all the other nations."

Edom:  Because Edom took revenge on the house of Judah and became very guilty by doing so.

Philistia:  Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in their hearts, and with ancient hostility sought to destroy Judah.

Egypt:  You say, "The Nile is mine; I made it for myself."

4 out of 5 nations where judged by the way they dealt with the nation of Israel.

The new word for today is "Touchstone." 1. It is a black siliceous stone used to test the purity of gold and silver by the streak left on the stone when rubbed by the metal. 2. It is also used as a test or criterion for determining the quality of genuineness of a thing.

God has made Israel a "touchstone" for the nations. Genesis 12:2-3   "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

There is a possibility in the next few weeks the world will be called to a "touchstone" test concerning Israel. As believers in the eternal promises of God we must balance our trust in the revealed plan of God and our responsibility to champion reconciliation and justice. If ever there was a time to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, it is today. (Ps 122:6) May God give us wisdom as we face our "touchstone" test.