The Purpose of Nations

The Purpose of Nations

“Whereas it is the duty of Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey [H]is will, to be grateful for [H]is benefits, and humbly to implore [H]is protection and favor…” George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789

The purpose of nations is that they worship the King of kings and LORD of lords, Jesus Christ. Let me explain…

Of Nations

There are 195 nations (countries) in the world today with each possessing its own borders, having a common language and culture, and being comprised of a dominant ethnic group. 

Nations began to be formed after the scattering from the tower of Babel. It was here that the various languages originated and accordingly, those who spoke the same language “grouped” together into their own lands. This “scattering” becomes important because it was a reluctant aligning with God’s instruction to fill the earth. This instruction was originally given to the first two persons to be created, Adam and Eve. Therefore, to understand the origin and purpose of nations, we must start with our first Parents.

Of the Beginning

When the Creator made the first man and woman, He blessed them saying, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (New King James Version, Gen. 1.28). In other words, have children so that My image bearers may fill the earth. God called them to subdue the earth (I will return to this) and to rule over the animal kingdom. Thus, as they lived in complete conformity to all of the blessings and responsibilities given to them, that amounted to worshiping their Creator. 

Thus, these directives to them would naturally extend to a multitude of individuals who

would proceed from them. The “subduing” in a perfect environment would therefore be as Dr. John MacArthur noted, “[A] productive ordering of the earth and its inhabitants to yield its riches and accomplish God’s purposes” (MacArthur 17). Hence, even in a flawless world, it seems reasonable that a multitude of people would necessitate organization into communities within localities with defined borders to achieve God’s calling and to take full use of the resources He had placed in the earth for their joyful enrichment and His glory.  

Of Fallen Man

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gen. 2.16-17). When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they and all mankind with them, died spiritually. They fell into a state of sin and death, a condition which can only be remedied by turning from sin and placing one’s full trust in Jesus Christ.

 Yet even in our fallen state, the original blessing/instruction has not changed, but we, and all of creation have. Since the Fall, striving to subdue the earth is like driving toward a mirage; one can see it, but never reach it. Nor are we now able to take the original dominion over the earth. As John MacArthur describes in his book, The Battle for the Beginning: 

We still live in a world that is under the curse of sin, so we cannot subdue the garden of God as we would like. Weeds, pests, harmful bacteria, harmful viruses, and other effects of the curse–not to mention fallen human nature–keep the task of subduing the earth constantly out of reach… 

And yet even fallen humanity has managed to take dominion over creation to an amazing degree, devising technology that allows us to cultivate only a fraction of the earth’s potential farmland and still grow enough crops to feed the world. Technology has permitted us to travel to the moon, develop amazing communications networks, travel across vast continents by air in a few hours, build dams to create large reservoirs, devise power systems that harness the energy in the universe and put it to humanity’s benefit, and develop medical technology that prolongs life. Even in his fallen state, the human being is a wonderful creature, still endued with the image of his Maker. (MacArthur 174)

The Purpose of Nations

Connecting the dots…

Returning to the scattering from the tower of Babel and the subsequent forming of nations, these began to be, and currently are, separated by protective walls and distinguished by various forms of government not to mention differing languages and cultures. And as is true since the Fall when individuals went their own way spurning the only true and living God for their own so-called gods, many nations have also.

However, Scripture is clear: worship belongs only to YHWH, the God of Israel (and of the whole world) who revealed Himself in Jesus Christ (Exodus 3.14; John 8.24,28,58). Thus, from the United States to China to Iran, etc., this purpose remains the same. As Acts 17:26-27, explains, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” Reread these two verses slowly. One of the most interesting words therein is grope. 

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines it in part as “To feel along; to search or attempt to find in the dark, or as a blind person, by feeling” (“Grope”, def. 1). With this definition in mind, consider that God determined the times and boundaries of nations. He also provided for them a particular topography having certain natural resources to be cultivated and extracted from the ground. Additionally, there are a variety of plants, trees, unique animals and insects, water sources, and so on. Not to mention the sun which brightens and warms the earth, the rain that falls from the sky, and wind that blows. All are gracious gifts for the benefit of people and for them to richly enjoy. If this were not enough, He has endowed man with intelligence, skills, and natural giftedness that they may make good use of God’s creation in technological, medical, and other advances. 

This “groping” would first come in the form of recognizing that no person created the aforementioned. Then, questions would follow about the Source of these blessings, indeed the Source of life itself; that we may grope for Him and find Him, turning to Him from our sins and idols (I Thes. 1.9)... That we may worship Him. God is not hiding. Seek Him and He will be found by anyone in any nation. 

The Point

“And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation” (Daniel 4.34). 

All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. Psalm 86:9

The elect from every nation will come and worship Jesus Christ. Repent of your sins, and turn to Him now that you from your nation may be among the elect who worship Him.