Civilization

I read that Margaret Mead, the late anthropologist was once asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected her to give some kind of technological breakthrough like clay pottery or the bow and arrow. But, that isn’t what she pointed out. She said the first sign was a healed thighbone. One that had been previously broken. She pointed out that in nature an animal with a broken leg can’t survive. It can’t provide food for itself and can’t go down to a river to get drink for itself. It would probably become an easy meal for a passing predator. No, she said, a broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone cared enough to feed, protect and care for an injured friend through their recovery. That is the beginning of civilization.

I do not know if that story is true or not. But, it does serve nicely to illustrate a point. I also don’t know if it would have truly been the beginning of civilization. It was most certainly an act of love though, and perhaps it was the beginning of compassion. 

Luke 10:25  

An expert in the law stood up to test Yeshua. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” 28And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Yeshua, “And who is my neighbor?” 30Yeshua replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Yeshua said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

From the above passage it is evident that Yeshua wanted his followers to be compassionate and to take some personal responsibility for others, to be kind to the less fortunate  I am sorry to have to point this out. But, a great many that call themselves followers of Yeshua are not of the same opinion. Not only are they not of the same opinion, it seems as though they delight in cruelty. American evangelical Christianity is no longer based on the scriptures, the teachings of Yeshua or His example of love for all humanity, it is based on conservative culture. On hatred of people that aren’t like us. I believe that the United States of America has become a false idol. The flag is worshipped. God and country have become one in the eyes of some. Some equate the USA with the nation of Israel of old and believe we are somehow the nation of YHVH’s covenant. We are not. YHVH made his covenant with Israel and afterward with the entire world.   Because of this national idolatry some people believe they are doing righteous acts and are justified when they carry out violent acts against others. So many are angry because of things beyond their control. Good honest people that used to love God have been turned into cursing, cruel people that want to see the other side hurt. Where is the humble heart of the servant? As the scriptures foretold, the love in their heart has waxed cold. Their mouths are full of obscenities and cruelty. The mouths of their so called christian leaders both pastors and politicians are filled with hatred, curses and lies. We are told to “fight like hell or we won’t have a country”.

Many are terrified that God will judge America and will destroy it because of it’s sin. I understand this fear, it is a possibility. But, what is a certainty is that YHVH is going to judge each of us according to our words and our works and require us to give an account of our selves. YHVH is a Righteous God and if the fall of this nation does occur it will be due to it’s peoples lack of compassion for each other. if YHVH does destroy this nation it will be because brotherly love for those we don’t agree with and those that don’t look like us and those that don’t believe like us has ceased to exist. Violent threats, violent acts, cruel names, ugly jokes at the expense of others, curses and obscenities towards those you disagree with. These are the venom that will poison this country and will bring YHVH’s judgement down on us.

Yeshua said to Pilate “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish authorities . But as it is, my kingdom is not of this world”. We are told not to seek power. We are told to turn the other cheek. We are told to be the light of the world.

Matthew 5

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

If we fail to obey Yeshua’s teachings we will absolutely loose our nation. We will loose civilization, and worst of all we will loose our souls, for it is the meek that shall inherit the earth.