Prophets and Nationalism

Nationalism makes it difficult for prophets to speak to the sins of their nation. They find it much easier to call out the sins of other nations; especially if that nation is the favourite bogeyman of their political leaders.

I saw an example in a recent article on Elijah List called We’re Here to Rescue You that warns about ungodly leadership in China. The writer says that they are going to “start offering rescue plans to poverty-stricken nations giving them incentives of finances and governmental help... but the fine print says: You just gave us your nation, it's ours, and we are going to make it a communist country and make you slaves to us. We are going to degrade your people even more than your current situation.”

When I read this, I couldn’t help thinking about the numerous times the United States has said to poor countries, “We will rescue you”; but then proceeded to wreck that nation. However, the prophets in the US always remained silent.

• The prophets were silent when the US said to the people of Vietnam, “We will rescue you”; but then proceeded to bomb the crap out of their nation.

• The prophets were silent when the US said to the people of Afghanistan, “We will rescue you”; but then proceeded to wreck their nation.

• The prophets were silent when the US said to the people of Iraq, “We will rescue you”; but then proceeded to wreck their nation.

• The prophets were silent when the US said to the people of Syria, “We will rescue you”; but then proceeded to wreck their nation.

• The prophets were silent when the US said to the people of Libya, “We will rescue you”; but then proceeded to wreck their nation.

• The prophets were silent when the US said to the people of Yemen, “We will rescue you”; but then proceeded to wreck their nation with bombs and missiles.

I do not know what is in the hearts of the Chinese leaders, but I cannot think of any nation where they have done what the US has done in any of those listed above. So why is God suddenly speaking about this issue; or were the prophets prevented from hearing by their nationalism.

The irony is that the Chinese seem to be involved in many poor nations building infrastructure, such as railways, roads, bridges, airports and ports. They might be doing this in exchange for unaffordable debt, but sovereign nations can repudiate debt, if they choose. Whereas the Chinese cannot remove the roads, bridges and other infrastructure that they have built.

In contrast, the buildings, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, airports and ports wrecked by American bombs are not instantly restored, when the US decides that the war is unwinnable, and withdraws from their rescue efforts.