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Since you are a front
line witness to the overwhelming impact of the coronavirus
on people’s health, the economy, relationships, education,
food supply, monetary systems and one’s mental health and
emotional well-being, would you say that something is afoot
that is not satisfactorily answered by a solely intellectual
response about what this all means?
Not to sound “spooky”
but I want to draw instruction both from this killer virus
and the above quote (at the end of this article, you will
find its source).
Let us start with the
first sentence of the above quote.
It is a call to a specific
group of people (nation, if you wish) to enter a period of
seclusion; and for them to hide themselves until a period of
wrath (Covid-19, in our case) has spent it full course.
When we get to the
rationale of why this shutting away is needed, a/k/a: stay
at home orders, social distancing, getting a vaccine, etc.,
it is because the creator has seen global wickedness reach
such a high point that He is coming to set the record
straight and to inflict discipline on the earth.
Am I saying that all
who have died and those who were heroic in their attempts to
save others were targeted for destruction?
Of course not!
But, I am saying that
the rain falls on the just and the unjust and those who were
and are righteous will get wet also, but their living was
not in vain.
The witness of any
wickedness will be the Earth when it discloses the abuse and
degradation that it has suffered; and the Covid-19 virus
simply accentuates the abuse that mankind has heaped upon it
(and we upon each other!).
Am I talking a
stalking plague of biblical proportions?
Yes. If you read that
prior historical story as found in the Book of Exodus, the
plague was sent to punish a nation (Egypt) for their
defiance against God. A defiance that resulted in the death
of multitudes of Egyptians and those who did not have the
given remedy for being exempt from the death angel/plague.
Now, when you fast
forward that history lesson to the present day, the Covid-19
virus is not a mere happenstance of creation but is a plague
that is being monitored by the heavenly host and will cease
when the world ceases to go ”‘a whoring after other gods.”
According to the
quoted verses, matters are being revealed and what has been
wrongfully inflicted upon others will be disclosed. In the
biblical story, Pharaoh was given early warnings about what
a failure to properly respond would entail but, you know the
rest of the story.
What things to be
revealed? Let’s start with: structural racism, environmental
injustice, gross inequality, hatred of other nations that
are different from us, indifference to the cries of the poor
and marginalized and, most of all, the seemingly total
indifference of nations that attempt to put their collective
thumbs in the eye of God.
For America that
prides itself on being a Christian country and even places
the motto “In God We Trust” on its coinage, there is not a
lot of trust being shown.
Especially so when
those who profess to be in fellowship with God, directly
display attitudes of contempt and derision for all things of
God, you then know that, wrath is on its way...for a period
of time.
Here is the good news!
Wrath is only for the moment and there is joy in the morning
for those who reject offensive conduct and renounce the
pride that their titles, status and money ostensibly
afforded them at the expense of marginalized others.
So, those who are shut
away and are using this down time to regroup and re-think
and renounce negative behavior, you are benefitting from
this precious time so that when the wrath (or the avenging
angel?) has passed over your home, you can exit from being
hedged in and have a new perspective about what is important
and that “other” which is merely composed of wind driven
chaff.
The source of the
above verses: Isaiah 26:20-21.
Be calm and stay put for
the storm is passing over!
Contact Lafe Tolliver at
tolliver@juno.com
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