Tuesday, 24 February 2026

He sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, saying, "This is what Ben-Hadad says: 'Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine.'" – 1 Kings 20:2-3

Today's Scripture Reading (February 24, 2026): 1 Kings 20

The United States' message to the world is clear. Stephen Miller has made the government's position very clear; The enlightenment of the nations is over. Whoever has strength has the right to take whatever they want. If Russia wants Ukraine, who are we to stand in their way? If China wants Taiwan, then there is no sensible argument that would deny China what it wants. If the United States wants the oil in Venezuela, who has the authority to stand up and tell them that they can't just take what they desire? Might makes right. In history, that has always been the way it has been. For a while, maybe this world became a bit confused. We started to believe that weak nations had a right to their dreams. But that time has ended. Now, the strong can once again take whatever it is that they want. So, Greenland will eventually be American territory, and so will Canada. The Canadian question might take a little longer and start with just a couple of provinces. Currently, it looks like Alberta might be the first to fall, followed possibly by Saskatchewan, along with all the oil and minerals those two provinces contain. After that, it is hard to predict what will happen to the rest of Canada.

Just to be clear, I live in Alberta, and I am not cheering these developments. I hope something disrupts Stephen Miller's dream. But it is clear that Miller and some of his compatriots believe this is how the world should work; that "the strong rule and the weak drool," or something along those lines. And by strength, the precise meaning is military might. What gets lost in the bargain are the other strengths that these "weaker" nations might possess.

This idea about the supremacy of strong nations was definitely Ben-Hadad's point of view. He possessed the military might, and therefore, he would take from Israel whatever it was that he wanted. Ben-Hadad demanded all of the gold and silver that Israel possessed, as well as the best of the King's wives and children. I admit, from my deeply biased point of view, giving Jezebel to Ben-Hadad might have been a good thing for Ahab, but I doubt the ancient King would have agreed with me.

Ben-Hadad had the power, and he believed that meant he could take what he wanted. We know from the end of the story that there were limits even to his power; Ben-Hadad only thought the world belonged to him.

Stephen Miller might believe that the world belongs to him, but I hope he is wrong and that God still lifts up underdogs like Ukraine, Taiwan, and even Venezuela, Greenland, and Canada. Because a world ruled by military power is one I would prefer we leave behind.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 21

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