An analyst well known to the public at large, to leaders in government, and reputed to believe in God as a factor in society, recently recited in a carefully worded list the indications that he interpreted as dangerous decline for America. The factors included a number of unresolved issues: seventeen trillion dollars national debt; political/partisan conflict; military/defensive retraction; costs and confusion in application of recent laws such as health care and same sex marriage; education in some confusion; economy slow in recovery from recession; inability to resolve issues related to a troubled/violent world scene; lack of effective leadership shown in the statistics of loss of confidence by voters; and, general malaise in society. After listing the problems, the analyst stated that he believed a competent and charismatic leader would emerge to address the issues, and it rested upon the electorate to find and empower that person to lead the nation out of a morass. He includes a belief that the public has been lured into an attitude that benefits have taken place for the moment, but a threat of future collapse is frightening. Weather conditions related to high rate of drought, cold/heat, and fierce storms have contributed to the problems. All this and more indicate change that seems mysterious to the society, inviting fear and uncertainty. The analyst argues that there is a need for a leader with tough love to be installed in power by the electorate for recovery.
On the other hand, the economy has been slowly improving suggesting that it may have greater foundation than an inflated advance might indicate, recession has not been as devastating as it was in the past although affecting citizens unevenly, health of citizens has never been better despite a high rate of obesity, education is available to all even if not as effective for some as others – so the stories that presume improvement may also be expanded. Latest indications are that the improvements have been so costly that there will need to be a serious adjustment to the discipline of self and society to recover from a debt and processes that may be leading to national disaster. The present situation suggests, to some persons, that there needs to be some sort of overhaul of the democratic processes as we have known them if we are to gain recovery. Recently more discussion has been raised about the death of nations than may have occurred during any other period.
The last four chapters of Judges begin and end with the same statement. They represent the summary of problems that foreshadowed the collapse of Israel. The collapse of Benjamin was an indication of that which would surely come unless correction came to the management of the society of Israel. The victories of Joshua centuries earlier, and the guidance of the highly respected Samuel so recently ended by his death, and not picked up by his wayward sons indicated that some change needed to take place. This was clarified in the choice of evidence, both personal and national in the stories provided in Judges of the closing years of a fading nation. Government had broken down. Everything was up-for-grabs even the priestly ministry was made amenable to privacy. The conflict within became so great that the tribes went to civil war, leading to the virtual destruction of Benjamin in its ultimate absorption by Judah. The first time I read the book of Judges in the first year of my Christian life during my late ‘teen years, I was taken with a forlorn feeling about mankind. Israel had stayed united in Egypt through mutual suffering as a slave people, united under Moses and Joshua in their escape and ultimate occupation of their own land, with judges managing the confederation of tribes, and prophets serving something of a supreme court. Then they fell to anarchy. (God was assisting along the way, with the understanding that the nation would take on responsibility when they became obedient to their own principles.) At last a kingdom was established, under the democracy of the people, and Israel rose to its height under David and Solomon. Both Saul and David were made Kings at the request of the people. Solomon was likely asked, having shown his competency as an intelligent natural and spiritual leader. On Solomon’s death the people divided. Two nations emerged, with jealousy on both sides, and a new religion formed in the north. They had lost the balance of unity that tolerates differences without violating essentials (rights). This may be the clue to the collapse of nations. That nations have not learned well from history is illustrated in Israel’s experience. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020