he birthright, once we received it, was stupendous, AWESOME—unequalled among nations or empires! But what have our peoples done with that awesome blessing? They were still ISRAELITES, even though they themselves knew it not! They were still rebellious, “stiff-necked,” stubborn! Once the British peoples and the Americans—the “lost” Israelites now supposing they are Gentiles—found themselves basking in the pleasant sunshine of such wealth and power, they were less willing than their ancient forefathers to yield to their GOD and HIS WAYS. They felt no need of Him, now! It seems few ever turn to God until they find themselves in desperate need or trouble. But after God had withheld the birthright 2,520 years, and then, when our peoples deserved nothing from God, He suddenly bestowed on us national blessings unparalleled in history—the unconditional promise to Abraham was kept! No longeris God obligated by His promise to continue our undeserving peoples in world prestige, wealth and greatness. Once we had been given such unrivaled position, it was up to us whether we should keep it. So now back to Leviticus 26. We had previously covered verses 1 through 18. God said that IF, for all these previous punishments, the Israelites would not listen to and obey Him, He would punish them the duration of 2,520 years. Then what? If, after that 2,520 years of withholding the birthright, our people—with the birthright—still rebel, God continues, verse 19: “And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass.” God has already begun that! We Had Pride in Our Power! God could not speak about breaking the pride of our national POWER until after that birthright power had been bestowed! He put our nations in the position of possessing the greatest national power any nation or empire ever possessed. We had great pride in that national power—in our national prestige. I remember hearing President Theodore Roosevelt tell of HIS PRIDE in that power—and how he used it when he was president. The Germans were sending a battleship steaming toward Manila Bay, threatening to take over the Philippines. The Philippines were then a United States possession. President Roosevelt sent the kaiser a terse note demanding that the German warship be immediately withdrawn. “The kaiser didn’t know, then, that I meant it!” snapped Mr. Roosevelt. “So I sent another note. Only, I didn’t send this second note to the kaiser. I sent it to Admiral Dewey, in command of the United States Pacific fleet. It ordered the entire fleet to steam full speed toward the German battleship, and if it did not turn around and go back, to SINK IT!” said Mr. Roosevelt with emphatic force! In those days, before World War I, we had pride in our national power!
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 19:27:33 +0000
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