America is not Israel! We are not the nation of God’s covenant. But, the spiritual principles operative in God’s relationship to Israel are applicable to America.

Our founding Fathers recognized this and provided a theological framework rooted in Old Testament theology as well as New Testament kingdom theology.* As a nation we would do well to hearken back to this wisdom.

Recently our illustrious leaders voted in a package of spending that ostensibly saved schools, teachers and police persons from economic disaster. As I heard one commentator say on a radio broadcast driving home from work, “Six months or a year was salvaged at the price of ten years taxation.”

Once again the printing presses were turned on to provide this short term fix that seems to be calculated to secure a large block of votes in the coming elections.

Interestingly, my Bible reading for today was from Micah 3. I’m sure different individuals could provide a different outline for this passage, but here is what occurred to me:
1-3 self deception of the leaders
4-7 self destruction of the leaders
9-11 self deception of the leaders
12 self destruction of the leaders

In essence what government leaders should learn from this passage is that they are self-deceived if they think they can fleece the productive people to enhance the non-productive people in the name of justice.

The prophet indicates that in the final analysis they will reap self-destruction (4-7). In the second stanza the prophet tells the political, religious and judicial leaders that their twisted sense of justice is fraught with bloodshed, bribery and extortion (9-11). The outcome is not liberty, justice or prosperity but self-imposed destruction. These ill conceived phantom acts of justice have within them their seeds of destruction—sometimes the natural fall out and sometimes the active judgment of God (12).

So what is to be the response of the average Christian citizen? Here it is. Are you ready? The prophet exclaims, “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin (8).”

So there you are! Paul tells Timothy, “Preach the Word!” He tells the Ephesians to “Be filled with the Spirit!” Jesus tells us to be salt and light and live out the law and the prophets by treating others as you would have them treat you (Matt 5-6).

Like the prophets, we are to preach justice and righteousness. We are to call sinners, yes even our leaders, to repentance. In this nation we are to exercise our God-given responsibility to vote. But, above all else, we are to live Jesus and preach Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Converted, justified, Spirit indwelt leaders will lead justly. Converted, justified, Spirit indwelt citizens will live out the beatitudes. This combination will bring the exaltation of a nation rather than its self-destruction.

*Gragg, Rod. Forged in Faith. Howard Publisher

For a similar discussion see Boice, James Montgomery. The Minor Prophets Vol 2 344-357. I happen to read this two days after first writing this blog.

Howard Eyrich is a minister in the PCA and currently serves as Pastor of Counseling Ministries at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. He is the author of the best selling pre-marital counseling guide Three To Get Ready, as well as Totally Sufficient and Curing the Heart both in 2nd editions. He and his wife, Pamela, have two children and eight grandchildren.