See, I
have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that
you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully,
for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear
about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and
understanding people.” What other nation is so great as
to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is
near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation
is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I
am setting before you today? Deuteronomy 4:5-8
God
had a purpose to develop the nation of Israel back in the Old Testament
times—to show other nations what it was like when a nation followed the one
true God. God wanted the other nations
to see Israel’s wisdom, prosperity and power because they followed God’s
laws. Why would God’s desire to show
himself through a nation change?
Today
Israel still is a focus of the world’s attention. God continues to work through its history,
protecting it from harm on all sides, even though the nation itself is not Christian. It still has an importance in God’s overall
plan.
America
is an important nation today, still clinging to its Christian heritage and
values. If it turns too far away from
God’s commands, embracing sin in its culture, we could face the same judgment
Israel faced and be cut off from God’s presence and protection.