Out of All The World, Why Here?

 

Why here? Why does Genesis begin here? Look at that book - lots of names - people and places - lots of stories, but concentrated in a small area. Could it really be that an omnipotent deity picked a specific time, place, people to tell the story that would determine where humans spend eternity? Could there be an eternity - an existence beyond a person's lifetime on earth? The Bible tells us so, and Jerusalem is pretty much in the middle of the world's continuous trade route.

Abraham was sent from Ur to settle along the Jordan River. By doing so, he was promised three specific things by the God he believed: 

1) a son who would lead a nation; 

2) a specific area of land; 

3) a blessing for the world. 

Within three generations, there is a large following of tribes from 12 male descendants of Abraham that end up going to Egypt. Led by Moses centuries later, he took their descendants to the Promised Land - they rejected it. He led that group for forty years, until all the naysayers were gone. Then took the land and promised God they would always follow His will.

Every one of the following books in the Bible addresses their current situation based firmly on this first book, which focuses on the area around what became - and is now - Jerusalem. Pretty much the center of world trade from pre-history to our current trade wars. Why wouldn't we be focused on the area that has provided three religions that claim the same God, but with tremendously different aspects.

Right place - center of world population. Set to always be that center. More so today than any other time in the past, but never losing the central trade route designation. Seems as though we should give consideration to the truths behind such history.

What were the descendants of Abraham chosen to do? My answer is: To show the world that following God's will brings out the best in mankind and God rewards men who do so. That also means God showing His displeasure for an entire nation's actions. We see examples throughout the Old Testament, to the point both Israel and Judah are taken into captivity, which is very specificly described in several books of the Bible, by specific prophets.

Christ as born at a turning point in history. Greek had captured a large portion of the world, encompassing a large amount of the trade routes, instilling education, language, business, and arts across a wide area. With a century or so, Rome achieved the same thing, with greater power, moving into even more area. The words of Jesus and His disciples would be scattered throughout the Roman Empire, quickly, from the same center of trade - which even today impacts our modern world.

Not until the seventh century Common Era was there the seed of another religion planted. Mohammed conquered Mecca and instilled in the conquered people the belief that Arabs were the chosen children of Abraham. That the prophets, including Jesus, were Arabs who taught the correct religion. That untruth is being distributed today, and is the source of error in so many ways.

Why would an angel bring such a message to one specific man? There are many assumptions that could be made, but my personal link goes back to a letter Paul wrote to a church:

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)

Paul knew about angels:

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

John 8 is a wonderful chapter to see the difference between the Jewish religious/political leaders who defend themselves as the chldren of Abraham, while Jesus states plainly He was sent by God as God, and recognizes them for what they really are - just as He knows what we really are:

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. (John 8:42-45)

I will use biblical phrases without citing chapter and verse, but you can search: God is no respecter of persons. There is nothing ethnic nor racial in His followers. God is open to anyone who seeks Him, for He may be found by those who do. God has offered to anyone the ability to live with Him eternally through belief in Him and His gift of salvation through Jesus. Christianity is monotheistic. Christianity has one single God who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God works with us as the Creator, the Salvation, and the guiding Spirit of education and comfort in our lives.

If this raises more questions for you than it answers - ask them. Much we are not supposed to know, but much is open to our hearts when the Holy Spirit guides us. Do not allow any other spirit to take root:

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)