The Real American Idol

While America is still the greatest and most blessed nation on earth an increasing number are beginning to wonder if our priorities are misguided. Our current administration, and in fact a large percentage of Americans, believe that a strong economy should be this nation’s top priority. Such thinking is not new. Preparing for the 1992 presidential election democratic strategist James Carville initiated the slogan, “It’s the economy, stupid!” That strategy propelled Bill Clinton into office and ousted George Bush senior from office after one term. Immediately after the horrendous attack on the World Trade Center in 2001, then president George W. Bush stated that the strength and resiliency of the American people would be measured by how quickly the stock market would be up and running. America has made economic prowess her idol.

The Bible has much to say about idols, other gods, and money. Firstly, the first two commandments specifically address the issues of other gods and idols. The Hebrew word for idol translates as deficient, worthless, vain, and/or empty. There is God and then there are gods. They must be differentiated.

“For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.” Psalm 96:4-5

“But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, and the nations will not be able to endure His indignation. Thus you shall say to them: ‘The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.’” Jeremiah 10:10-11

Thus gods and idols are inseparable and are defined as vanity or emptiness. Likewise God and wisdom are inseparable.

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence…Counsel is mine…By me kings reign and rulers decree justice…I traverse the way of righteousness…The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way…I have been established from everlasting…For blessed are those who keep my ways…For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD…” Proverbs 8:12-36

One may, therefore, choose gods and idols or God and wisdom, but not both. They are not compatible.

Now let’s inject the subject of the economy, or money.

Solomon addressed the issue in his writings.

“For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” Ecclesiastes 7:12

The Hebrew word for defense translates to protection. Solomon says that a person can choose to rely on money or wisdom and then he proclaims the superiority of wisdom. He then gives a more detailed example of relying on money.

“Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child…Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks. A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answers everything.” Ecclesiastes 10:16-19

In this satirical example Solomon states than an immature ruler believes that more money, i.e. revenue or taxes can cover the consequences of an inept administration.

The issues of idols and money are also addressed in the New Testament.

“…keep yourselves from idols.” I John 5:21

The Greek for idols translates into a false god or an imaginary deity whether or not intended as a representative of the true God. So not unlike the Old Testament, idols and false gods are to be avoided. They are not compatible with God and wisdom. Jesus voiced that concept of incompatibility.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24

The Apostle Paul when writing to Timothy also warned about idolizing money:

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” I Timothy 6:10

There are some very basic Biblical tests to see if we as a nation are pursuing fiscal policies that will be blessed by God.

“…if you carefully obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe with care all these commandments…the LORD your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations but you shall not borrow…” Deuteronomy 15:5-6

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God…The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.” Deuteronomy 28:1, 12

America, like Israel, may choose obedience or disobedience.

“But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments…The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head and you shall be the tail.” Deuteronomy 28:15, 43-44

At the present time the United States is indebted in the amount of $1.5 trillion to just China and Japan. It appears as if we are pursuing gods and idols instead of God and wisdom.

Watch for Falling Rock

There are several classic hymns that depict Christ as the Rock. For example, Rock of Ages, The Solid Rock, and He is the Cornerstone, come to mind.

One of the earliest Biblical references to the Rock is found in Exodus.

“Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness…but there was no water for the people to drink…and the people complained against Moses, and said, ‘Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us…with thirst?’ And the LORD said to Moses… ‘Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.’” Exodus 17:1-6

This scripture passage came alive with the words of Jesus in the New Testament gospel of John.

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive…” John 7:37-39

Other Old Testament references to the Rock include:

“Now these are the last words of David… ‘The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue.’ The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God…’” II Samuel 23:1-3

“Oh come; let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1

“Therefore thus says the LORD GOD: ‘Behold I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation…” Isaiah 28:16

The Bible reveals that the Jews rejected the Rock, i.e. their Messiah, Christ. Subsequently the rejected Rock was offered to the gentiles.

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” Psalm 118:22

Stephen in the book of Acts explained the rejected Rock to the Jews.

“…let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead…This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.” Acts 4:10-12

Jesus confirmed that the ‘church’ would be built upon Him as the Rock foundation.

“…and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25

The Apostle Paul reiterated the words of Jesus.

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone…” Ephesians 2:19-21

Then the Apostle Peter summarized the issue succinctly as he quoted from the Old Testament book of Isaiah.

“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, the Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone, and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” I Peter 2:1-9

Jesus addressed the Jewish religious leaders more abruptly and warned them that the rejected Rock would be to them the ‘falling Rock.’

“Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone…Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.’” Matthew 21:42-45

Should anyone other than the self-righteous take heed? The prophet Daniel provided the answer as he interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about the gentile world system in the latter days.

“You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” Daniel 2:32-34

How sure was Daniel about the dream and its interpretation?

“The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.” Daniel 2:45

Now as travelers pass through the mountains and observe roadside signs alerting them to ‘Watch for Falling Rock’ it will have a twofold meaning.

Racial Profiling and its Underlying Hatred

Racial profiling is certainly not new and its presence is widespread in the world today. One of the most horrific examples of racial profiling was seen when Hitler attempted to exterminate the Jews beginning in the 1930s during the Holocaust. The Germans were the supreme perpetrators and the Jews were the powerless victims.

Perhaps the most egregious example of racial profiling in the world presently involves the Muslim community. The supreme perpetrator is Islam while the victims are still the Jews. The major difference is now the hatred of the Jews has a religious overtone. The profound irony is that the Muslim community would have the world believe they are hapless victims of racial profiling when in fact they are the supreme villains. The United States is falling for Islam’s cries of injustice by enacting hate crime legislation which prevents citizens from speaking negatively about Islam even if what is spoken is true.

Hatred between Muslims and Jews has existed for centuries but it was revived in the 1930s when the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al-Banna and the then supreme Muslim leader of Jerusalem, Amin al-Husseini met with Hitler and adopted his methods. Husseini was quoted as saying that the Germans “know how to get rid of the Jews and that brings us close to the Germans and sets us in their camp.” He later testified that he had planned a death camp modeled on Auschwitz to be constructed near Nablus for the genocide of Palestine’s Jews. Therefore, the worldwide Islamic Jihad includes Nazi ideology and methodology.

So while Nazism was defeated in Europe it is alive and well in the Arab world today. Following in the footsteps of al-Banna and Husseini was Sayyid Qutb, the major ideologue of the Muslim Brotherhood who had a major influence on the terror group al-Qaeda. Qutb continued the Nazi ideology and stated that Jews were responsible for the world’s moral decay. He stated that Jews were the ones who created the anti-Islamic doctrines of atheistic materialism as well as democratic individualism. Of course his rhetoric didn’t include the fact that Israel was founded by God Himself and will always be the Apple of God’s eye.

The only problem the Muslims had with Hitler was that he didn’t finish the job. A state controlled Arab newspaper recently wrote: “Our thanks go to the late Hitler who wrought, in advance, the vengeance of the Palestinians upon the most despicable villains on the face of the earth. However, we rebuke Hitler for the fact that the vengeance was insufficient.”

That brings us to the present time frame and Iran’s current president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, himself a Shiite Muslim. And again, because of an obsession with political correctness our present administration is coddling this leader and the United Nations allows him the freedom to speak his hatred towards the Jews openly in our country. Following are some of his infamous quotes:

• “The skirmishes in the occupied land are part of a war of destiny. The outcome of hundreds of years of war will be defined in Palestinian land.” (Note: Ahmedinejad doesn’t mention the name ‘Israel’ and calls Israelis occupiers of their own land given to them by God Himself)

• “Our dear Imam, Ayatollah Khomeini, ordered that the occupying regime in Jerusalem be wiped off the face of the earth. This was a very wise statement. The issue of Palestine is not one which we could compromise on…”

• “Today, the Iranian people are the owner of nuclear technology. Those who want to talk with our people should know what people they are talking to. If some believe they can keep talking to the Iranian people in the language of threats and aggressiveness, they should know that they are making a bitter mistake. If they have not realized this by now, they soon will, but then it will be too late.”

Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has stated, “If we searched the entire world for a person more cowardly, despicable, weak and feeble in psyche, mind, ideology and religion, we would not find anyone like the Jew…Grandsons of apes and pigs.”

In addition the Quran openly promotes racial profiling. It states: “ The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews and kill them, until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him!”

Ahmadinejad’s and other’s statements confirm that Iran and other Muslim nations have absolutely no intention of negotiating peace with Israel. That is an interesting position, because God has the same plan, however, God’s plan has a different outcome than touted by Ahmedinejad.

Lest the United States feels slighted that Islam doesn’t racially profile Americans, note the following words from al-Qaeda: “We have the right to kill 4 million Americans – 2 million of them children…Furthermore; it is our right to fight them with chemical and biological weapons…”

Considering statements like this it is no surprise that many Americans are becoming angry and frustrated that our current administration believes Israel is the stumbling block in the Middle East and not the Islamic agenda to rule the world.

To summarize, racial profiling is alive and well in the world today. While many Americans are preoccupied with the challenges associated with the recent Arizona legislation, we should not take our eyes off the real racial profiling issue taking place between Islam and Israel and between Islam and America. We must carefully determine who the perpetrator is and who the victims are.

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

Our quest for political correctness has distorted our sense of reason and clouds the truth.

The Rise and Fall of a Great Nation

When Israel was about to enter the promised land of Canaan, God told Moses in advance what the people would do upon entering their new homeland. He instructed Moses to write it down as a lesson for future generations.

“Now therefore, write down this song…and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel. When I have brought them to the land flowing with milk and honey…and they have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods and serve them; and they will provoke Me…” Deuteronomy 31:19-20

Moses did as instructed. He addressed Israel, and in fact the whole world. He began by describing God and his ways as perfect, righteous, and just. Moses referred to God as ‘the’ Rock.

“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth…For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:1-4

Moses then proceeded to describe Israel’s predicted conduct upon entering Canaan.

“They have corrupted themselves; they are not His children, Because of their blemish: A perverse and crooked generation. Do you thus deal with the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, who bought you? Has He not made you and established you?" Deuteronomy 32:5-6

Moses asks Israel if their forsaking God is the appropriate repayment for what God has done for them by delivering them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt and sustaining them in the wilderness for 40 years. Then he admonishes them to remember the past and apply those lessons to the future.

“Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you…He found him (Jacob, or Israel) in a desert land…He kept him as the apple of His eye, He made him ride in the heights of the earth, that he might eat the produce of the fields; He made him draw honey from the rock, and oil from the flinty rock…” Deuteronomy 32:7-14

Moses describes how God cherished and provided for Israel over previous generations. He took Israel from nothing and caused him to “ride in the heights of the earth.” He miraculously provided for him through the years.

How did Israel respond?

“But Jeshurun (a Hebrew term for upright, a satirical reference to Israel) grew fat and kicked; ‘you grew fat, you grew thick, you are obese!’ Then he forsook God who made him, and scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.” Deuteronomy 32:15

Israel believed they had attained their own greatness and wealth. They gave God little or no credit for their good fortune. They highhandedly slighted the importance of God as the source of their status and actually forsook Him. The degradation continued.

“They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger…to gods they did not know, to new gods, new arrivals…” Deuteronomy 32:16-17

So not only did Israel ignore God, they replaced Him with new gods of their own design for their own convenience.

“Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, and have forgotten the God who fathered you.” Deuteronomy 32:18

Therefore, what was God’s response when Israel pushed Him aside?

“And when the LORD saw it, He spurned them…and He said: ‘I will hide My face from them…for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faith. They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God. They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols.’” Deuteronomy 32:10-21

Remember that God’s primary attribute is His justness. All disobedience brings consequences. Because of God’s very nature He cannot and will not share His glory as outlined in the first commandment.

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3

God then outlined His required action against Israel.

“I will heap disasters on them…For they are a nation void of counsel, nor is there any understanding in them. Oh, that they were wise…that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” Deuteronomy 32:23, 28-29

“For the LORD will judge His people…He will say: ‘Where are their gods, their rock in which they sought refuge? ...Let them rise and help you, and be your refuge.’” Deuteronomy 32:36-38

God taunts Israel. He tells them that while they think they are wise, they are in fact foolish. Then He tells them to rely on their own conceived gods to deliver them in time of trouble. Notice that God refers to Israel’s false sense of security as their ‘rock’ instead of the ‘Rock.’ Then He reminds them of His sovereignty and majesty.

“Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me…nor is there any who can deliver from My hand…I will render vengeance to My enemies, and repay those who hate Me.” Deuteronomy 32:39, 41

The Apostle Paul in the New Testament reminds the church that all that happened to Israel were to be examples for the church age.

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition (instruction), upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
I Corinthians 10:11-12

Therefore, if in the above scripture passages taken from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy we replaced any reference to ‘Israel’ with ‘America’ it would be interesting to note if any similarities are found. We could then see if any changes in direction are warranted.