Recently, I came across the "Flag Code" for the American Flag, and was astonished to find similarities to an age-old Bible story. Before I continue, readers be advised that you may feel two things, convicted or angry. It's simply surprising that idolatry is comonplace throughout all faucets of our lifestyles.
The "Flag Code" says:
During a rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present, except those in uniform, need to stand at attention facing the flag with the hand over the heart. Anyone who is in uniform is required to raise their right hand and salute the flag.
Daniel 3 says:
Then the herald cried aloud; "To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations and languages, 'that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with the music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. . ."
There are obvious parallels here; A command, nationaly familiar music, and something to direct our worship to (other than God). The questions that need to be answered are, "have we been serving an idol? Do we serve our country or do we serve God? Yes we may be free; but should we praise our country and it's officials for that, or God? The scary thing is that this clandestine type of idol has wormed its way into christian churches themselves. It has become the backbone of the christian coalition. Politics have always existed; whether through dictatorships, democracies, republics or monarchs. They are all still politics. Nebuchadnezzar was a politician and dictator, and maybe the citizens of his nation were or were not aware of their clear idolatry. But we're outsiders viewing in. In the 400 plus years that Israel was captive in Babylon, I'm certain many laws, rules and regulations became commonplace traditions, even though we now know they were fallousies. I mean really, only three men out of hundreds of thousands of citizens (many who were captive jews) refused to pledge their alegiance to the golden statue. This should seriously make us think about who we serve. Man or God.
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1 comment:
Idolatry is a fact of life and everyone is guilty. No matter if you pledge to the red white and blue or to your own accomplishments. You see the golden statue is really our own hearts begging each one of us to bow down to our own image. The good news is that we have been traded the death penalty for worshiping ourselves, and have been given something far greater than words can explain; only, yes only if we pledge everything to Him, The God and Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amazingly God somehow wants all of our little idolatrous hearts; He is only so gracious. Yet His grace is commanding and relentless in taking humans naturally given to worshiping themselves, and remaking them into people who wake up each day breathing air and knowing it is God doing everything and He is the only one who has done anything and is alone worthy of all worship. Our sinfulness is betrayed as the romance in each one of our fallen natures becomes anything but God himself; whether a flag or a piece of gold. His meekness is displayed by His patience with His idolatrous creation.
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