This regular feature in our magazine endorses the nation-state economic model as the Biblical framework for a nation’s foreign policy as opposed to the globalism and multi-culturalism espoused by so many today.  At least twelve economic factors seen in Scripture can also be seen in history and are applicable to modern decision making. These are excerpted from Dr. Levesque’s “The Design and Destiny of Nations.” 

Factor Four – Logistics

When a country identifies its national resources, it helps it to form an identity around that resource.  Think Texas oil or Maine lobster. Every nation has some golden commodity.  Some more or less than others.  This scale of resources is directly related to the scale of national prosperity.  Norway has mining and fishing, fjords and skiing.  Such a combination has produced a society keen on exploration and industrious trade.  This universal factor of logistics has its place among chief indicators of national contentment and success.

What a country lacks defines it as much as what they have in abundance.  Imperial Japan needed oil and rubber to fuel its industrial boom and military machine; therefore, it became aggressive toward the Indonesian resources.  Spanish explorers sought gold in the new world to fund its attempts at European dominance in the old.  Its mismanagement of the logistics resources led to its loss of both the new world and European influence.  Today oil is the gold, and natural gas the silver of the global market.  Countries rich in these commodities can use them to tyrannically frustrate the world or benevolently lead it into prosperity.  No nation is more  rich in diamond quantities and qualities than South Africa.  This factor alone makes it a dominant powerhouse on the African Continent; however, together with the Complexity of languages (Dutch, English, Swahili, etc.), unique borders (states within states) and location (Angola, Zimbabwe) this factor alone does not make a world power.

Strong legislatures, leaders and citizens should:   

     a.    Inventory and map its resources and determine its lack thereof.

     b.    Know what resources are renewable and which are not.  Some national guidelines should be drawn up and enforced concerning these resources.

     c.    In the private ownership and trade of these goods, reporting should be made.  There should be a sense of national pride.  Tax breaks should be considered in order to foster the keen development of these resources.

     d.    Trade alliances, embargoes and tariffs should be applied in order to further the citizenry not the government apparatus.

     e.    A secretary of resources should be developed in order to make the most of this factor.  This factor is best developed along with other factors.

     f.       When lacking certain resources, nations can and should attempt to maintain independence by using alternate resources.  (i.e.  no wood – use concrete)

     Great Britain was masterful in colonization and trade.  It became proficient in textiles like paper and wool, for which it traded with its colonies for sugar, tobacco and lumber.  However, heavy taxation on its colonies and heavy handed exploitation for profit of colonial resources bred discontent.  Colonies learned to value their own resources and in turn began to hold England up on its trade.  England learned that it was easier to trade with a country than a colony.  It was more expensive and less expedient to control countries than to trade commodities.

“And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.  The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;  And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.” - Genesis 2:10-12

This regular feature in our magazine endorses the nation-state economic model as the Biblical framework for a nation’s foreign policy as opposed to the globalism and multi-culturalism espoused by so many today.  At least twelve economic factors seen in Scripture can also be seen in history and are applicable to modern decision making. These are excerpted from Dr. Levesque’s “The Design and Destiny of Nations.” 

Factor Three – Location

How does the sun set in your country?  What is your national pastime?  How is the maritime trade going?  The answer to these questions depends upon the precise placement of your homeland on the sphere of this earth.  The latitude and longitude of your borders will be a determining factor in its prosperity or its troubles.  An equatorial country is at all times closer to the sun, therefore warmer than other locations, giving way to tropical manners and custom.  A nation in equatorial Africa is by placement doomed to the constant threat of jungle disease, while Greenlanders simply worry about frostbite.  On the other hand, the African may, due to the climate, run about without a shirt and survive, while the Greenlander must wear several layers to survive. This location factor then must be examined, exploited, and complied with in order to insure a national success.

Poland has had the unfortunate location of being between Russia and Germany.  This difficult location means it does not have many national barriers as the landscape is very flat.  The agricultural valleys are quite productive, another location factor, and its sea coast offers some great ports.  All of these factors together make it an appetizing prospect for both Germany and Russia, who in turn worry about each other’s countries exploiting of these vulnerable borders.  Canada, on the other hand, is the beneficiary of a very good location. It is surrounded by three oceans, borders the United States, has access to the Australian and Asian ports, as well as the British and European ports. Canada is beautiful, diverse, prosperous and peaceful. 

   “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.  Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:1-2

There may be little that national leaders can do to change their location, but the location factor remains a giant in the path of their national prosperity.  Leaders should:

     a.  Have a firm grasp on the pros and cons of their global position.  Understand fully the failures and successes of other nations that share similar locations or have had their similar latitude or longitude.

     b.  Exploit strengths by turning them into national profit.  This should only be done to the benefit of the populace.

     c.  Ally with other nations that can make up for your location weaknesses.  (i.e. If no seaport, water source, etc.)

 If location predisposes the nation to neighborly conflict then a clear delineation of actions due to location should be determined.  Military alliance may become absolutely necessary. (i.e. The U.S. needs air bases in England, Italy, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia to project power.)

The narrow boot of land comprising Italy, home to the Roman Empire, could not sustain the populace or even the many legions.  Therefore, even Rome had to allow grand shipments of food as tribute from far away countries and so paid handsomely for what was loosely in their hands.  Consider Elisha’s observance of the good “situation” or placement of Jericho as well as its lack of a good water source.  Such “situation” was of divine origin and such problems (i.e. bad water) required divine help to overcome.  (II Kings 2:19-22)

This regular feature in our magazine endorses the nation-state economic model as the Biblical framework for a nation’s foreign policy as opposed to the globalism and multi-culturalism espoused by so many today.  At least twelve economic factors seen in Scripture can also be seen in history and are applicable to modern decision making. These are excerpted from Dr. Levesque’s “The Design and Destiny of Nations.”

Factor Two-Lines

Psalm 74:14 “Thou hast set all the borders of the earth:”

The lines on the map tell us about the sovereign control a nation claims over its space.  This space well occupied and rightly exploited can allow a country to define itself, becoming prosperous or pitiful by virtue of its borders.

 Borders are rarely superficial but seem to be created by the hand of natural boundaries such as water or mountain ranges.  These boundaries place two or more countries apart from each other even though they are only inches apart.  Such lines are often scoffed at as artificial or spurious, but without them there are no nations.  The shape of earth itself directed the formation of nations by spilling people out along rivers and valleys, and dividing them by mountains and oceans.  When lines are not well defined, controlled and defended, they often are the reason for  conflict or war.  Properly governed, they become the very bond of friendships and alliances.

When a society united by language and boundaries is fully encapsulated it has tended to bring about a satisfaction of circumstances rather than a seeking of conquest.  For instance, where China’s borders are well defined (i.e. the Pacific ocean) it seems content to leave neighbors alone (i.e. Japan);  however, where there is common language (Taiwan) it becomes discontent with the separation.  Boundary lines then, rather than being touted as Machiavellian or barbaric, are the very factors that prevent aggressive behavior.  A nation then like New Zealand is clearly defined, at rest with its space and control thereof, and free to focus on prosperity whereas what was once Yugoslavia must be in constant turmoil by virtue of undefined spaces and blending of languages.

The thoughtful king or controlling body of any nation, therefore, must be considerate of the following applications of this factor:

    a.     Examine the national boundaries of your space and embrace them.  Exert your influence over the entire space.

     b.    Mark the lines physically with a road, fence, sign, flag, etc.  This does not imply isolation, but allows for a welcoming sense.

     c.    Where there are disputed lines, give and take.  Give liberally, but take unquestionable control once ownership is established.  Arbitration takes time but can produce great results.

     d.    Give a friendly hand and first rate status to neighbors and nearby nations.  Form coalitions in trade, defense, and culture.

    e.  Educate your citizenry of the geography.  Name mountains, rivers, forests, and valleys.  Develop that which the natural lines dictate (beaches, resorts border crossings, etc).

     f.       A vibrant border guard and regimen is not a sign of militancy but certainly does not allow the militant to view you as timid.

     g.    Immigration of labor should be controlled.  Foreigners desiring citizenship should have requirements such as language and loyalty.

Medieval Europe or Japan with their feudal systems fostered constant fear and regional warfare because of lack of leadership, cohesion, and defined lines of space.  North America has been relatively peaceful even though there are several nations with multiple states within them.  The American Civil War was fought over issues of slavery and states rights, but also included the question of “Was slavery to be included in the colonization of western space?”, and, “within what boundaries?”  West Virginia separated from Virginia and redefined its space.  That line has stood well ever since.

Should then Israel build a wall?  Or should U.S. enforce southern border control?  Trouble arises when there are no lines or the lines are not defined and controlled.  The Palestinian or Northern Mexican populations only grow more restless as they have no clear lines providing them with security and a future.

Scripture endorses borders and provides parameters for God’s blessing.

Psalm 147:14  “He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.”

Scripture also endorses the nation state and provides parameters for God’s judgment.

Jeremiah 25:32  “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.”

Factor One – Language

“For then will I turn to the people a pure language,  that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.” (Zephaniah 3:9).

Understanding history begins not with the events themselves, but with the advent of a language that conveys events into words.  Poetry is speech aligned.  Wars begin and end with the proliferation of language. Even law is rhetorical.  All the technology in the world does not function without a unique vocabulary to sustain it.  Language separates us by light years from the animal kingdom, and allows us dominion over the moon and planets, mountains and poles.  Language then is a foundational factor to the success of a nation.

Consider that in any study of a nation, its official language or languages are always listed among its top facts.  The easy perusal of any nation in the Encyclopedia Britannica, CIA world fact book, or even Wikipedia will quickly identify that country’s principal language.  Of the thousands of languages spoken today, there are few that are blatantly dominant. The dominance of certain languages equates with the dominance of cultures.  In turn, these cultures appear to reign over nations.  Notice that the premier languages of the earth correlate directly with the premier national and cultural powers. Even religions seem to have a correspondence with language.

There is a noticeable alignment of the fact that America’s official language is English and that of her dominance in world affairs.  English is the one true global business language. Global business is fueled primarily by the American economy. The leadership of Wall Street and the dollar among trade and currencies illustrate the importance of language.  Also American diplomacy (language) is required to fund and focus the work of the UN.  America’s predominant religion is Evangelical Christianity (Protestants, Charismatics, and Baptists) which is broadcast around the world via satellite television.  America’s technology driven military is more powerful than ever but also more language dependent.  Military power, religion, business, and diplomacy are all the offspring of language.  As America is a superpower, so is her language.  Elements of her language include the predominate concepts such as liberty and free markets. This is no coincidence, but a proof of the universal factor of language as a natural success or failure indicator among nations. 

The thoughtful leader then determines to solidify language in his country by adopting the following measures:

a.         Determine the official language then unashamedly embrace it.

b.         Espouse a dictionary and grammar then properly use them.

c.         Disseminate the widespread and easy use of the language through education.

d.         Utilize modern means of communication such as TV, radio, signage, the internet, libraries, and mail by  post, using the official language.

e.         Make founding documents, constitutions, pledges, anthems and other important addresses in print and widely available.

f.            Make learning the language simple and promote it through your embassies and emissaries.

g.         Make citizenship equate with at least a rudimentary ability in the language – or mandatory training for immigrants. (See article “Language to be a test of Immigration” at www.biblenation.org)

If this task seems insurmountable then utilize an existing language that provides these features already.  It may be quicker to execute, more cost effective, and more profitable.  The Median King of the Persian Empire, Darius, utilized language to convey peace, goodwill, and the fear of a holy God to all the nations of the earth over 2600 years ago. (Daniel 6:25-27).  Such official use of language to convey a leader’s spiritual sentiments should not be frowned upon, but embraced.  Consider all the American presidents who have quoted the Bible.  They have used Scripture as the principle vehicle of language and communication because it is simply the most proven and effective tool to communicate to Americans.  Even God Himself used men’s heart languages in order to convince their hearts to trust Him on the day of Pentecost.  “…we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” (Acts 2:11).

Nations—their leaders and citizens—can and should understand the factors that are integral to their country’s prosperity or demise.  Historical observation can give some insight as to the identity of these crucial factors.

Many political seers have endeavored to define which factors interplayed and finessed could determine national success, but have done so armed only with a humanistic foundation.

This treatise will seek to go one step further in the identification and application of these societal factors by adding Christian thought as disseminated from the canon of the Biblical Scriptures.

Such a premise as this goes beyond simply promoting the Judeo-Christian ethic or reeducating naysayers about a God-centered worldview.  But, in fact, is written precisely because the practical use of these definable factors is a useful tool to any culture, group, and societal leader—Christian or not. 

It is with an assurance that nations and their peoples can change for the better, that a systematic handbook of national principles applicable to any society or subset of population should be written and read.  Considering the state the world is in today with a great number of national failures at hand, it is time to offer another voice countering the narrow models afforded to emerging political leaders and decision makers from overconfident humanistic agencies such as the United Nations or European Union.  These impotent bodies are made up of well-meaning but misled individuals, diplomats, and bureaucrats, who press forward with ideologies learned from decades of robust globalist dogma and evangelism.  Entities such as the Council on Foreign Relations, Economist, and Carnegie Endowment, continue to lead nations astray by skewing the definitions of these critical factors and wrongly coaching their applications.  Their publications and platforms are certainly missing any Biblical perspective.

The consequences of ignorance in this matter of maintaining healthy nations will inevitably lead to regional aristocracies and a global dictatorship.  The good news is that these national factors well-learned and committed to, can and will bring about positive change.  Like gravity, these cultural phenomenon are a force for good when rightly applied.  One wonders if when presidents and kings pray for wisdom, God has not already granted it to them in the precepts of the Bible.  Its pages claim to hold the unique answers to the soul’s salvation.  Could it herald the provisions for national salvation as well?  A resounding yes is this author’s proposition. 

It is these twelve universal factors and their applications highlighted and defined from history, reason, and Scripture, that make up the “Design and Destiny of Nations.”