New Babylonian Captivity of God’s People
God’s Old Testament Kingdom
The Babylonian captivity of Israel was disastrous for the Great Commission in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament God’s people were not told to send missionaries out to preach the gospel. Instead they were told to build a theocracy where God’s rule would result in righteousness and justice for all. When the nations saw the beauty of the theocracy they would recognize the God of Israel and praise Him.
The Old Testament strategy, working at its best, is described in I Kings 10: 9; when the queen of Sheba visited Solomon in Jerusalem. After seeing the beauty of Jerusalem and prosperity of Israel she said, “Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you the on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.”
While the Jews were in captivity, however, Jerusalem languished. Listen to the report that Nehemiah heard when he inquired about those who stayed in Jerusalem after the exile, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” (1:3)
Nehemiah’s response was immediate and full of passion, “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” (1:4) Nehemiah understood that Jerusalem was not just another city; it was the key to God’s Old Testament Great Commission strategy. Today the church is not just another organization; it is the key to God’s New Testament Great Commission strategy. And unfortunately the church, like Jerusalem Nehemiah’s time, is not doing well when it comes to Great Commission strategy. In spite of the enormous ministry resources available to churches in Post World War II America, we still managed to loose the culture. Enough for today it is Sunday time for the club...more tomorrow.
Thoughts about unleashing the greatest force on Earth
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About Me
- Rich
- I am a slave to no man or institution. I have worked with Frank Tillapaugh for thirty years and most of the ideas are work we would like to share.
The next generation
God thank you for two amazing young leaders
Looking Forward
Each year I get to spend time with young leaders and the gap is growing between them and my generation, why?
1 comment:
For the past 4-5 months Greg Laurie's church - Harvest Church Riverside, has brought the Harvest Crusade to Seattle. It has helped the 270 churches participating to get outside the walls and proclaim the Gospel the way we should.
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