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The most important thing about the “Jacob’s ladder” story is what we learn about Jacob himself. He can’t take yes for an answer.

Jacob and his mother Rebekah have managed to undermine two of the most formidable ancient power structures, patriarchy and primogeniture. Unfortunately for them they had no viable safeguard against the threat of Esau’s violence. Rebekah’s plan was to wait out his anger. This approach proved to be naïve, but that is for a later story.

When we find Jacob in Genesis 28 he is fleeing for his life to the imagined shelter of Uncle Laban, Rebekah’s brother. He has supposedly secured for himself both his brother’s birthright and his blessing, but neither seems to be of any value at the moment. Esau remains safely and comfortably at home with all of Isaac’s riches. Jacob is alone, vulnerable, at risk.

Bethel: The Gate of God Continue reading →

“The Hedge of Protection Removed!”

Since the attacks of 9/11/2001 it is not uncommon to hear Christian groups asserting that those attacks were revelatory in terms of God’s relationship with the United States. There are numerous variants of the argument but this link gives an idea of the general position.

1. America was dedicated to God by the founding fathers.
2. America lived out this dedication through moral superiority over the other nations.
3. Because America was dedicated and righteous God built a hedge of protection around her.
4. In recent times leaders and groups of people have left the path of righteousness.
5. In response to America abandoning God’s way God has removed the hedge of protection as witnessed in the 9/11 attacks.
6. American must turn back toward the previously departed righteousness in order for God to restore the hedge and allow her to enjoy peace and prosperity once more.

Pushing Back on the Points

1. It is common in the argument to associate America with the Old Testament state of Israel easily applying Old Testament promises and warnings to us as they were addressed to Israel. This is of course a tradition that goes back to the days of the Puritans and has been picked up by many groups especially the Mormons. Does it have theological merit especially given the New Testament for Christians?
2. The Christian founding fathers argument is another common one. Of course one might ask which founding father are being referred to, pioneers like the Pilgrims or settlers at Jamestown or the leaders of the American Revolution? One might also as how America would be regarded as explicitly Christian when compared to numerous European countries who had established state churches where the princes and kings were sworn to uphold and protect the church. American of course expressed the Enlightenment ideal of refusing to establish a state church or religion.
3. America’s “hedge” requires a bit of historical selectivity. America was of course ravaged by wars with indigenous peoples (French and Indian War). Two Civil Wars, the War of Independence being a successful war of secession from England, and the failed war of secession waged by the south that we call THE Civil War both killed huge numbers of soldiers and civilians and destroyed cities and farms. There was of course the War of 1812 where the US was thoroughly thrashed by the British and Canadian forces resulting in the burning of Washington DC. There was the bombing of Pearl Harbor and stalemated or lost wars of Korea and Vietnam. We should also note that “America” in this definition does not include Native Americans who lost their long war with European colonists and Mexicans who lost the west to the United States. To me “The Hedge” can only be imagined if defined selectively.
4. The argument of past moral performance outshining present moral performance depends on one’s list of moral qualities. American slavery involving widespread accepted racism, theft, violence, murder and rape is an obvious difficulty. Also the treatment of Native Americans can’t be viewed as our most moral moment. Levels of alcohol and opium consumption prior to the 20th century far outweigh current consumption levels and abortion was a quiet but common practice until the AMA got congress to outlaw it both for professional and public health reasons. Prostitution was commonly allowed and accepted in many places on the frontier. Most Christians today would hardly bless the moral performance of much of what went on in the US in the 18th and 19th centuries.
5. The list of contemporary moral failures tends to mostly align with the political agenda of the group doing the spotting.
6. Turning back also usually aligns with the political agenda of the group making the list.

Common Karma Continue reading →