Just before the Israelites moved into the Promised Land, a group of tribal leaders came to Moses with a question. All had agreed that the daughters of Zelophehad would inherit the land that was to have been assigned to their father. But the leaders of their tribe feared that if those daughters should marry outsideContinue reading “Why Do Some Societies Develop into Complex, Modern Civilizations While Others Do Not? Numbers 36.”
Category Archives: Governance/Politics/Law
Governing With Humility. Exodus 18:17.
Image: Moses’s father-in-law Jethro, as portrayed in the film THE PRINCE OF EGYPT. “And I’ll take it to the Supreme Court if I have to!” shouts Maury Stokis, pointing his cane in the face of Perry White. Maury and his wife win a free trip to South America from the newspaper THE DAILY PLANET, butContinue reading “Governing With Humility. Exodus 18:17.”
Economy of the City. Genesis 34:20-21.
Everybody’s got to eat. And find shelter. And pay bills. The fact is, you need money. Even if you don’t want money, you need it. How does one amass wealth? By selling something for which people will pay. This is true whether you live in a culture based on barter and trade, or whether youContinue reading “Economy of the City. Genesis 34:20-21.”
City Planning. Nehemiah 11:1-2.
Image: New York City by Jan Christopher Becke. An article I read begins with a great question: “What do Ron Paul, Nancy Pelosi, and President Donald Trump have in common? They have all promised to ‘drain the swamp’ of Washington politics.”[1] As the article goes on to point out, there never was a swamp onContinue reading “City Planning. Nehemiah 11:1-2.”
MONEY! Finance, Bankruptcy Protection, and the Economy. Nehemiah 5:1-11.
THESIS: Nations hoping to bless people and grow the economy should draft laws that (1) help small businesses thrive, create jobs, and earn a profit for shareholders, (2) protect the nation from war and protect its citizens from crime, (3) use courts to protect the sanctity of contract and resolve conflicts between people and businesses,Continue reading “MONEY! Finance, Bankruptcy Protection, and the Economy. Nehemiah 5:1-11.”
Don’t Make Your Job Complicated—Obedience is Simple. Jeremiah 22:3.
What is your job description? Some are clearly defined: ride the back of the trash truck and empty trash cans into the truck at each stop. Others are loosely defined: be my personal assistant, show up at 8 every morning and do whatever I ask until I send you home. What is the job descriptionContinue reading “Don’t Make Your Job Complicated—Obedience is Simple. Jeremiah 22:3.”
Respect Your Elders. 2 Chronicles 10:7.
The Bible contains a few things so vulgar you may never hear them in a sermon. This is one of them. And yes, I have misgivings writing about it. After Solomon’s son Rehoboam became king, the people of Israel came to him complaining Solomon had worked them too hard. They had built the temple, theContinue reading “Respect Your Elders. 2 Chronicles 10:7.”
Selfishness vs. Enlightened Self-Interest. Ecclesiastes 6:7.
Have you ever run across the “professional-student,” a college student who is too indecisive to complete a degree and has been hanging around the campus taking classes for five, six, or even ten years? He is older than everyone else but because the money never runs out he can avoid committing to a course ofContinue reading “Selfishness vs. Enlightened Self-Interest. Ecclesiastes 6:7.”
“In Those Days There Was No King in Israel” Judges 17:6.
The principal who led my high school told the teachers, “If you will be nice to the students, they will be nice to you.” I’m sure that sounded great. It may have even worked in a few cases. But having survived four years in that Criminal Minds High School—where a teacher was shot, where bombContinue reading ““In Those Days There Was No King in Israel” Judges 17:6.”
Policing the Police. Joshua 8:25.
Nations have long struggled with corruption in government. What if organized crime bosses are paying bribes to the police so officers will look the other way? Who will police the police? What do you do when the justice system is unjust? What can you do when men of God are ungodly? Peter says, “It isContinue reading “Policing the Police. Joshua 8:25.”
Household Words: 