Decimation of a Species
October 8, 2012
In the October edition of National Geographic, there is an investigative report on an endangered species with the magazine cover stating, “Blood Ivory: 25,000 Elephants Killed Last Year.” They also state, “the slaughter is massive and accelerating” and “the cost is too high.” About forty years ago, however, a national “decimation of a species” began that has dwarfed the reduction of many “endangered animal species.” It has been an unparalleled time of death and destruction.
In chapter four of the book of Genesis, we read of the account of Cain and Abel and of what transpired between the two brothers. Of course, we all remember Cain’s sarcastic response to God when confronted by his Creator, “‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’” (Genesis 4:9). But do we remember God’s reply to Cain?, “‘Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground’” (Genesis 4:10). Although the Ten Commandments had not been given to humanity, God still judged Cain for his sin. The land had been polluted with blood.
In the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, we are told about the most wicked king of Judah, Manasseh. The Bible describes one of his despicable acts in the following passage, “He sacrificed his sons in the fire…..” (2 Chronicles 33:6). In addition, “Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end…..” (2 Kings 21:16). Although the king eventually repented of his sin and turned from his awful conduct, God still judged the nation. Too much innocent blood had been shed, and the land had been polluted.
There aren’t as many specific things, in the Bible, that God says he hates as one might think. But one of them is “…..hands that shed innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17). This is something that He detests.
This “plague” that descended upon our nation almost four decades ago, however, has a rather innocuous name now: “choice.” But while it sounds rather benign, it has wiped out an entire generation. The estimates range from forty to fifty-million babies that have been denied the right to live since 1973. But if God heard the cry of the blood of one innocent man (Abel), does He not hear the cries of millions who have been erased from existence? My fear is that if our country stopped this practice today, God will still judge the nation because the land is polluted. The cost has been, indeed, “too high.”
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I applaud you Scott! Amen! Keep speaking the Truth!
Hi Helen. I hope that things are well in Bermuda. God bless you.
Sin has always been a “choice.” God hates all of it because it is an affront to his Holiness and it causes people to be separated from Him.There are no degrees of sin. He does not single out abortion as a particularly heinous sin and judge it differently or more severely than any other. Once Christ set us free from sin to have a personal relationship with him, the need for national identities is lost. If you belong to Christ, you are not a citizen of this world. So, I wouldn’t think that national judgement would be of great concern to believers in the post-gospel world. As a necessary part of God’s work of restoring His creation, He is judging all of the kingdoms of this world, and reconciling all things to Himself, through Christ our Lord, Jesus.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…..” (Psalm 33:12, NIV).
Chaplain Lampe, you’ve missed the point of my piece. We are told by media sources how terrible the “slaughter” of animal species has become, and, yet, we, as a nation, are perpetrating one of the greatest atrocities ever committed. The Holocaust is small in comparison to this “great” sin of our country.
Yes, clearly I’m missing something.
Here is my main thesis: In today’s politically correct world, “sin” is harvesting ivory tusks from an animal. However, these same folks, who are outraged by the killing of an elephant, look the other way as an entire (human) generation is exterminated by despicable and horrifying means.
Very good point, and thank you for sharing it. We have much to be concerned about. God, in his dealings with Israel (his people), usually used Israel’s enemies to punish them for their sins against God’s principles of Life. There were times when He used nature, and sometimes He punished them directly; but every time, their punishment came as a result of their stupidity in ignoring God’s guidance and accepting the ideals and ways of pagans. At times God was very patient in waiting for them to repent and return to Him; but when they persisted, JUDGMENT always came. I believe our nation is in the beginning throes of Judgment. I have heard many preachers say that under this Dispensation of Grace, God no longer judges people for their sin; but that is just another false doctrine that results from self-justification and Spiritual blindness.
I get your point (majoring on minors, and minoring on majors), and thank you for making it.
Hello Woody. I agree with you. God does, indeed, judge people for their sin if they are unrepentant. He is holy, and that is why He sent Jesus: to save mankind from sin. Bless you.