Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth. (Psalm 67:3-4)
According to the Bible, in the very beginning of time, one river flowed in the midst of the garden of Eden to water it. The river went out from the garden and divided into four other rivers which flowed into the rest of the world to irrigate the land in other regions. Not only did this serve a practical purpose but demonstrated an important concept that has remained constant to this day. The prosperity and goodness that originated in Eden (which was emblematic of the Presence of God) flowed to the rest of the world, consequently, bringing blessing and benefit to others who lived outside the garden. In short, from the beginning, it was always God’s intent that His Presence and Sovereignty would be experienced by the whole world.
When God brought Israel to Mount Sinai, He charged them with a mission — be a holy, set apart nation. They were to think, speak and act differently than all the other nations of the earth, particularly in terms of worship; i.e. they were not to follow after the gods of the heathen nations. Though this call was intended to set them apart from the nations in regard to their mindset and lifestyle, it was not intended to isolate them from the nations in regard to influence. As a kingdom of priests, it was their mission to influence the nations properly, presenting a righteous example to them so that they might abandon their false gods and come to believe in the God of Israel. Like the river of Eden that parted into other rivers, God’s Presence and ways was to emanate from His people and flow outward and bring life to the other nations fo the earth.
Today, unrighteous men and women, governments and nations work hard to advance their faulty agendas. They truly believe that their wicked way will prevail for the good of man, even as the people under their influence sink lower into depravity and desperation. But according to the prophets — and this would include David — there is coming a day when all the nations will “be glad and sing for joy.” You see, not too many more years from now, the kingdoms of this world will be humbled and become the kingdoms of our God and His Messiah. There is coming a day when He will sit as the Supreme Judge of all peoples and govern all nations in righteousness. In that day, His intended purpose for all nations — having been temporarily hampered by sin and rebellion — will come to pass. As it is written:
“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established … and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:2-3)
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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