Nations seem to live on the edge of life’s negatives. These include such factors as jealousy, debt, competitiveness, illusions, suspicions, pride, prejudices, power and the like, issues that are common to personal contexts, but can become institutional. When they are part of the affliction between nations, as they are commonly, they can lead to warfare. They may be the immediate cause of warfare, which if a relatively small matter were resolved, the war would not begin. The long range issues are often negotiated over long periods of time. The immediate is the incendiary influence. How great an explosion a small wick kindles. How, in all that is holy, did nations permit the murder of the Archduke Ferdinand become the fuse of a war that was as ugly, murderous and fruitless as World War I? How would nations permit an even deadlier war, World War II, be waged because of the prejudice and retribution drives of Hitler? His nation was mesmerized by his determination to get even for WW1. Today, the large nations are engaged in preparations that require enormous cost and resources so to counter the fears and jealousies of each other. The populations of the world share in the same needs and aspirations. If all this were shrunk to family size exasperated parents would discipline the silly children. There seems to be no one who doubts that war will come again, perhaps in some nonsense like flying a bombing plane or drone into a valued monument, requiring response. Flying two planes into skyscrapers in New York on September 11, 2001 killed 3,000 persons and ratcheted up psychological warfare. On 9/11 we lost 3,000 American civilian troops. We devoted ten years wrangling and building the on-site monument to them. We get 3,000 traffic deaths every few weeks – Americans killing Americans with expensive weapons called automobiles. Who is the enemy?
I once lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and now live about 25 miles west of it. When I lived there I had much to do professionally in both the Twin Cities that includes St. Paul. They are among the best cities I have known in travels to many cities of the world. I have inevitably engaged with people who are in competition in this city as related to that city. Why? Both are fine in their own way caring about the people. The people press for good leaders in both, and in the services appropriate to the cities. The only ill taste I have noted in the two cities is an unnecessary competitiveness. Happily it is not taken seriously, but it provokes a jealousy that neither city deserves. Across the country sports teams play with such competitiveness, that some players are awarded money to wound this or that player on the opposite team. Is sportsmanship a figment of the imagination? A family has everything it needs. There is enough money, variety, talent – enough of everything for a good life. Everyone is shocked that the wife and husband divorced. When one hears the causes given for the breakup, the explanations may be as foolish on that level as some causes of warfare on the international scene. Nearly helpless, we oppose such folly.
It is greater than any romantic thought, that God commands human beings, but especially those who follow him, to love one another. It is out of love that we are to serve each other. Even that is moderated by God, not only in the ruling to serve each other, but the ruling that one is to receive when a need is present. God does not discriminate for those who serve, and against those who are being served. The excesses of those with abundance are as ugly to God as are the excesses of need among the poor. The duty is to give, and the duty is to receive – all in loving spirit. Nations should announce: that they do not want an inch of another’s territory; they do not want to take away the rights of any persons; and, they do not want to change the language or the rightful culture of the people. They ought to want the right for all people to seek truth, health, and that which is highest in mankind’s development of values and life. To do that there must be freedom for ideas to be exchanged, comparisons to be made, fresh approaches to be initiated, and respect for those who can contribute benefit for the future of persons, to God’s pleasure. What has all this to do with the jealousy of God? God is jealous for mankind in that his provision is so much greater than anything any other provider might afford, but lesser effort is chosen instead of his program. Either by choice or by neglect we may turn away from a loving God. The jealousy of God is that his provision for problem-solving for loved mankind is widely disregarded. Morality is diluted. He is rightly jealous because his plans for human care are scuttled, replaced by human distractions. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020