Fireworks for Freedom!

Do you recall a blog that I wrote this past January? If not, you can find it on January 10, 2009, as you click through "Older Posts" at the bottom of this page. I'd been caught in the midst of the midnight fireworks on New Year's Eve. It reminded me of God leading the nation of Israel through the wilderness on to Canaan, the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey. God led Israel through a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night.

Well, today is July 4th -- another day for fireworks, another day to celebrate God's faithfulness, and goodness, but this time to a different nation -- the United States of America.

I've been trying to find similarities between Israel and the USA. Here are a few similaties I thought of, both good and bad.

1. Israel and the USA were both originally led by visionaries. God directed Moses, and God directed the USA forefathers. That's what the Bible and the Constitution say--for each country, respectively--and I believe that both documents are accurate.

By the way, where were the women of Israel and where were the USA's foremothers? I'm just asking.

2. Both nations had to bear the elements of their new frontiers. Israel was in the wilderness for 40 years, and early Americans had to forge a trail as they ventured westward.

3. Both nations have grown and expanded throughout their existence.

4. Both nations grumbled and continue to moan. Sorry, but it's true. Israel complained that they didn't like the food -- manna -- despite the fact that it was sent by God. My blogging friend, Hannah, also known as Mennogirl, likes the Christian music artist, Keith Green. When Keith was alive, he sung a song about manna, the wonderfully refreshing food that the LORD sent Israel every day while they were in the wilderness. But the people moaned about it.

I just came home from the grocery store. The person in front of me in the checkout complained loudly to the clerk about the cost of her groceries. She had plenty of food and plenty of money to pay for the food, but she was still moaning. I get it; food is expensive. But God provides.

If you'd like to hear Keith Green's song about manna, go to Hannah's blog, http://www.hannahshovel.blogspot.com/, scroll down on the right to a link "What Mennogirl Believes." Click there and find on her Keith Green playlist a song called "So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt." Give a listen. It's quite a funny song, and also a good message on complaining.

5. Both Israel and the USA had and have people that work with one another for the greater good. And both Israel and the USA had and have people who work against one another.

6. Similarly, both Israel and the USA obeyed and disobeyed God, regardless of the manner though which God showed and shows His ways to the people.

7. Both nations wanted a place they could call their own, and both nations took what they wanted from other people. Israel took Canaan at God's command; the USA took land from the Native Americans. At whose command is unclear. Oh, and in the taking of both nations, multitudes of people were slaughtered amidst tremendous bloodshed.

8. Both Israel and the USA longed for freedom.

And so I pose this question: Has either nation really found freedom? Are the descendants of Israel really, really free? Are the descendants of the USA's forefathers really, really free? I wonder how the lady in line at the grocery store would answer this question.

The 4th of July is a fun day. Enjoy your family and friends.