The Book that transforms Nations

The fact that the Bible shows us the message of God of heaven and earth becoming man is celebrated every Christmas.

However, does the Bible only give us instruction about our sin and His plan of salvation or does it also provide us with principles and directions for every area of life?

Have we interpreted the Great Commission given to us by our Lord Jesus only as an invitation to evangelize and left out an important part of the Commission? Matthew 28:19-20a…“make disciples of all NATIONS (peoples) and teach them ALL that I have commanded you“.

About 176 years ago a delegation of four Nez Perce made a long trek to the most western outpost of the Union of States to find the „Book of Heaven“ Historians have varying opinions about this journey. They think that they made the arduous trip to gain more influence, possessions and technology from the white man, not to find the Bible or the „Christian Religion“. Whatever the true reason for the search was, it led directly to the coming of the first Christian missionaries a few years later. They were received with great enthusiasm and began teaching God‘s Word.

We would love to again see a hunger for Creator’s Word displayed by the original delegation who went in search of the “temas” (paper) from God. The „Book of Heaven“ speaks about the coming of the Son of God and the salvation he brought but that it also provides us with clear principles for all areas of life. Obedience to these principles can build up and cause growth, while disobedience can cause destruction of individual lives as well as for a whole nation.

The Bible describes Israel‘s history under the government of King Manasseh as a nation which has turned away from God and turns to divination and idolatry, causing uncleanness for the whole nation.The King even sacrifices his own sons to the idol Molech and sheds much innocent blood. After that his son Amon becomes King. He was even more evil and corrupt than his father and is assassinated by his own servants.

During this time an eight year old boy, Josiah, is enthroned as King. Amazingly this young man begins to seek the Lord. As a 26 year old he begins to reconstruct the Temple during which the long lost scrolls of God‘s Word are found.Josiah is very much impacted by the words he hears and he calls all people together for the public reading of God‘s Word. The King then leads his people in repentance, does away with idolatry and commits himself to live by the Word of God, which causes healing and restoration for Israel.

Whether it is Israel from times long ago or our current age, the result remains the same: When God‘s Word is buried, left unobserved or even dishonored, it can lead to the fall and even the destruction of a nation.

However, „If a majority of people in a nation honors and obeys God‘s Word, blessing follows. World history clearly shows, if a critical mass of people honors God‘s Word and obeys what is says, a whole nation can be changed.“ *)

(*Cunningham, Loren. The Book that transforms Nations, YWAM Publishing, 2007, p. 22)