2. Nations then, and now Nations have rulers
Kingdoms and Empires have a single ruler, who in the ancient world had absolute power
Kings could bless, or curse; spare a life, or kill
Some kings even took on the title of god
Power corrupts; absolute power …
Israel was never supposed to have kings
Israel wanted to be like all the other nations, so God permitted kings to be established in Israel

3. God uses Nationhood
Isaiah demonstrates God using nationhood to work out His purposes
Nations rise and fall at His will
Assyria, Egypt, Babylon – all rise to greatness, yet in the end all come to nothing
Israel too suffers greatly, yet is redeemed
In all of this, God is working out His plan for Israel and for the nations

4. Does God use nations today?
The pattern of nations and nationhood has changed in the modern world
Different patterns of government / rulers
Kingdoms, dictatorships, democracies, federations; alliances among nations
How does the modern international situation compare to the world as Isaiah knew it?
How do we see God being active in the state of international relations?

5. Having a relationship with our Global God
If Jesus’ mission is to bring all things back to His father – redeeming creation – then: Do we see Him as being active in international relations? Do we see Him being active in our own nation? How important is our own walk with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in terms of our own nation’s spiritual health? How do we fit – individually – in to the overall picture? Where does KHM fit in local social and political life? How does politics fit with Christianity? Is there one thing you do / could do that makes / could make a difference? Kingdom House Ministries is on a mission!

7. Shaping up!