Printpdf Email this page


The Scriptural Foundation of America
Was the original scriptural dialog in this country the same as it is today?

 

Introduction
   We'll want to take a look at some history and go back to a time when those from England came across the Atlantic Ocean to start a new life in a new country, actually looked upon as the New World.
   The Americas were known before the 17th century, because of Christopher Columbus, and there is history even before that.
   What we'll want to focus on today, however, is what has been given us through New England and the growth from there.
   It's important to know that those who came across from England did not leave home without their Bibles and a desire to worship the Creator with pure hearts and obedience to His Word. This is the Scriptural Foundation of America, as in the United States of America.


At the Beginning
   What was at the beginning? We find evidence is far reaching for a Scriptural foundation when we look at original documents along with the universities that were started in this country.
   Even etched in stone on the government buildings we find evidence of the Bible, though admittedly, at a little later date than the founding of the country.
   The U.S. Supreme Court built in the early 20th century has a carving of Moses, "the great law giver," as they say, on the outside. He is holding the 10 Comandments. The 10 Commandments, by the way, are also on the inside of the building.
   On the inside of the U.S. House of Representatives, in the United States Capitol, built in the late 18th century, is also a depiction of Moses, with his name underneath. Again this was added at a later date, but it emphasizes that this country, even after its inception, recognized the Creator and the law given through Moses to the people.
   Our own State Capitol grounds here in Jefferson City, MO., has a replica of the Liberty Bell with Scripture on it, along with the 10 Commandments standing predominately in a bold granite-like fashion.


Not at the Beginning
   What was not at the beginning of the founding of this country? What didn't exist in our early government of this country?
   For starters, the legalization of homosexual marriages or even homosexuality itself was non-existent.
   Nor was there the rampant pornography or the sexually-laced advertising that we have in society today.
   Even what is considered religious today, such as Christmas, was only first taught some 100 years after the Puritans arrived on the east coast. Before then, it was not done because it wasn't in the Bible. It was, therefore, evidently illegal to practice it.
   Another thing that wasn't at the beginning is that the United States is now over 1 million, on average, a year in the murder of children by abortion, and 50 million plus and counting over the last 50 years.
   Yet, when abortions were first able to be done, they were soon made illegal. In New York, it was considered a felony. Many Americans now consider it their right to abort unwanted children. Have they forgotten that life begins at the point of conception?
   How far has this country fallen from its initial foundation?


Colonial House
   What got me thinking about American History was a PBS special called, "Colonial House." It was a documentary set in the year 1628.
   This eye opening documentary was saying that many Colonists (including Puritans) came to the east coast to make a profit for the companies sponsoring them. Also mentioned was the fact they wanted to get away from the corrupted Church of England and the abuses of the British Crown.
   The earliest known colony in America went back 19 years, to the year 1609. To our date, that was over 400 years ago.
   Does that number sound familiar? The Israelites (Ex. 12:40) were in a land not their own for that period of time. Not that there is any significance, just an interesting number.
   Profit was said to have come from fur trade with the Indians, to harvesting lumber, corn, fish, etc., to pay the investors who paid the bill for their expenses to come over to America and also to provide them with supplies. For many, no doubt, it was the only way to get out of England and away from the persecution they saw there.
   For the early 17th century colonist, it took six months on the sea from England to our east coast. Faith in the Almighty is what got them through, as related by survivors in historical documents.
   Rations were sent on the ships with them. Meat and fish packed in salt, dried peas, chickens, lambs, pigs (evidently they reasoned away Lev. 11 and Deut. 14), beer, and flour were basic. Solid sugar blocks were also sent.
   As rations would run low for those reenacting this historical experience depicted in the PBS special (our 21st century colony), a lamb was killed for needed meat and it had been commented that it was an animal they had grown fond of. This is similar to what was done during the Exodus in which each household was to take in a yearling unblemished lamb for four days into their homes until they killed it for the Passover.
  
Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household...Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight, Exodus 12:3, 6 NIV.
   Like those coming out of the oppression of a former land for the first time, they needed to kill lambs to survive.


Not Easy
   It was recorded in the colony of 1609 that there were 200 individuals, but by the next year (1610) there were only 60 survivors. So, well over half died through the first year.
   Those well enough to help were overwhelmed. If others had not come into their area, they most likely wouldn’t have survived themselves.
   Fear of death was a motivator to get corn planted and other things done to succeed, as their lives depended on it. Historically, it is also noted that "men only" colonies were miserable failures until the women were sent over. This reminds us of the following Scripture:
  
Then Yahweh Elohim said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him,” Genesis 2:18 NASB.
   I posted this Scripture to the bottom of a news article which stated scientific studies have recently shown that loneliness is not good for one's health.
   The response was, besides three thumbs down, a person who asked, "I'd be curious about that translation.... My wife is not my ‘helper,’ she is my partner, and we are good for each other..."
   I wrote back, "The original wording for 'helper' in the English Standard Version (ESV) is 'ezer.' It literally means, 'a helper' or 'one who helps.' Man and woman complement each other in life, each having separate qualities brought forth in loving service to each other, so the term 'partner' is fitting. His Needs or Her Needs is a classic book on marriage relationships showing how the differences in each help one another."
   I’m not sure if that helped him or not, but what we find today is authenticity of Yahweh's Word continually being backed up by science.


High Standards
   We find the standards back in the 17th century were higher in many ways than they are today. Sabbath services each week were mandated by law. No doubt they were because of the Scriptural command. There was punishment if you didn’t attend, unless, of course, you were too sick.
   Regrettably, they kept the tradition of the 1st day of the week and called it Sabbath, rather than the commanded 7th Day Sabbath which we find Yahweh telling us to remember and keep holy.
   To their credit, though, historical documents show that Sabbath services with two sermons each day, each lasting 3 hours, was normal.
  
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to Yahweh in all your dwelling places, Leviticus 23:3 NASB.
   This is a specific command as one of the holy convocations (gatherings). This one is extra special because Yahweh said He had rested Himself on this 7th Day.
   Of the appointed times in Leviticus 23, this one could not be changed based because it was already established from creation. This weekly pattern is still unchanged in our day.
  
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching, Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV.
   There is no better time to gather than on Yahweh's Holy Days, His Sabbaths (plural). Our life has to be in line with what He wants, and the early colonialists understood this to a certain degree, and apparently did the best they could with what they understood.
   Today we know there is a restoration of all things in process, and ithastobe this way before Yahshua the Messiah comes back.
  
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of Yahweh; and that He may send Yahshua, the Messiah appointed for you, Whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which Elohim spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. “Moses said, YAHWEH ELOHIM WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED to everything He says to you," Acts 3:19–22 NASB.
   Yahshua's example and His teachings were directed to help us turn back to Yahweh in Spirit and Truth. The restoration of even proclaiming the truth about Yahweh's Name has only been in the last 100 years.
   Other truths, such as when the Sabbaticals are to be kept, have only been revealed to us in the last 50 years. We can see that today, both the archeological evidence and the historical writings, and when you put all the dates on paper, you can go in either direction from any point and see increments of seven.
   The math is irrefutable. How close then is Yahshua's return?

Back to the Truth
   Getting back to the Scriptural foundation of America, New Englanders (colonists and Puritans) were literate because of the Bible. They wanted to read the Bible to know how to live their lives in accordance with it.
   It’s interesting to note that one of the foundational books of Harvard, founded in 1636, was the very book ordered out of all public school classrooms in 1963, 327 years later. With that came the direct decline in SAT scores and the notable increase in school behavioral problems.
   I mentioned this to someone, and they weren't even aware that the commandments were ever posted in the schools. It reminds me of Hosea 4:6a (ESV) which states,
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."
   What happens when we take His instructions on how to live out of the way? We are led into the darkness and are bound for destruction. That's where this country (and the whole world) is headed unless it repents.
  
Do not be deceived, Yahweh is not mocked; forwhatever a man sows, this he will also reap, Galatians 6:7 NASB.
   Today, school shootings are more commonplace. But, it's not because of a gun epidemic. It's because of a lawlessness epidemic that this country and the world now sees itself in more and more.
   The same day (December 14, 2012) that 20 children were killed in Newtown Elementary, there were 22 children injured by a knife-wielding individual in China at a school there. This date is burned forever in the minds of the families who lost children.


Happy Birthday?
   Birthdays today are a big event for a lot of people, especially children. But did you know that in America, birthdays were rarely celebrated before the 19th Century?
   Going back to Scripture, we find Joseph, who was obedient to Yahweh, could, by Yahweh's Spirit, interpret dreams.
   While wrongly put in jail for two years, Joseph interpreted a couple of other inmate’s dreams for them. One has a good outcome, but the other a bad outcome for the individual who had been the chief baker for the Pharaoh.
  
And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them, Genesis 40:20–23 KJV.
   The chief baker was hanged on Pharaoh’s birthday, but this isn't the only Scripture which speaks of bad things happening on birthdays.
  
On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison, Matthew 14:6–10 NIV.
   Here we have John the Baptist beheaded on Herod’s birthday, another birthday celebration by a pagan ruler. Scripture tells us to not live according to the ways of the heathen, but many of their traditions we find in society today, Jer. 10:1-4.
   But, again, it rarely was the case in America before the 19th century. It may be because of these areas of Scripture we've just looked at.
   While it doesn't appear to have been illegal for birthdays to be celebrated, they just weren't celebrated.


Illegal in Early America
   There were illegal activities in early America, and there were punishments for them. For example, blasphemy was supposed to be punished by a nail driven through the guilty party’s tongue, or their lips sewn together, or they were to be burned at the stake.
   Mostly, they would just end up in the middle of the street tied to a stake and ridiculed as punishment.
   Atheists were seen as anarchist and were, at least, threatened with the death penalty because of it.
   One of the colonists in the 21st century group, who was involved with the PBS documentary, openly admitted to being gay. Well, it turns out that there were laws in the 17th century which designated the death penalty for being homosexual.
   While we are to love the sinner and hate the sin, we know Yahweh had established similar civil laws for the community of Israel early on:
  
If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them, Leviticus 20:13 ESV.
   We can't do this, as our current civil government doesn't allow it.
  
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of Yahweh: the powers that be are ordained of Yahweh. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of Yahweh: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of Yahweh to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of Yahweh, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake, Rom. 13:1-5.
   A woman professor was in the Colonial House PBS special to see what this country was based on because, as she admitted, she had been witnessing a steady decline in society.
   She was married to another professor, who was also involved with the documentary. They had a daughter who was a lesbian and was living with another lesbian.


Prophecy of End Time
   What else does Scripture tell us about these type of things, and what time period it might actually be found in?
  
But know this, that in the last days hard times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, thankless, wrongdoers, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, haters of good, betrayers, reckless, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of Elohim, having a form of reverence but denying its power. And turn away from these, 2 Timothy 3:1–5 TS.
   The gay man in the group said he was a Southern Baptist, and, in their colony, there were some other Southern Baptists. But, he found their views to be different than his, so he wants to find a different “Church” that accepts him for who he is.
   This, too, was prophesied by the Apostle Paul, whom we don't normally think of prophesying, but he hit the nail on the head with the following statement:
  
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, 2 Timothy 4:2–3 KJV.
   So, here we are witnessing these things today. What can we say, but repent, for the Kingdom of Yahweh is coming. To be a part of it, we have to come out of the world now and not partake in the sins therein, but to worship Yahweh the way He would have us worship Him.
  
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, That ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues, Revelation 18:4 KJV.
   This would have been a fitting verse to have meditated upon before leaving the Church of England, as the Church had been seen by many as in sin.
   To coin a phrase, "they would roll over in their graves," if they could see what was happening today. Recent headlines said, "Church of England to allow gay clergy to become bishops."
   Truly, they are denying the power and truth of Yahweh's Word.


Documents and Dates
   Early maps of America show the upper northeast of our country with New England, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. It's all there, today, even though it's not really new anymore, but rather in decay.
   Let's take a look at some original documents and quotes from Encyclopedia Britannica. We'll keep things in chronological order starting from 1620 and going through to 1803. This will be only a snapshot of history showing the Scriptural Foundation of America.
   First up is the 1620 Mayflower Compact. Pilgrims came from Southampton, England, on the Mayflower to live as New Englanders. Encyclopedia Britannica says, “[The] document signed by 41 of the male passengers on the Mayflower prior to their landing at Plymouth, Mass. The compact resulted from the fear that some members of the company might leave the group and settle on their own. The Mayflower Compact bound the signers into a body politic for the purpose of forming a government and pledged them to abide by any laws and regulations that would later be established. The document was not a constitution but rather an adaptation of the usual church covenant to a civil situation. It became the foundation of Plymouth's government.”
   Every government has laws. And this government's laws were originally centered around a Scriptural foundation.
   Just 16 years later we see the first university of America, with others to follow. In 1636, concerning Harvard University, we also find Encyclopedia Britannica stating,
   “[It is the] oldest institution of higher learning in the United States (founded 1636) and one of the nation's most prestigious. The main university campus lies along the Charles River a few miles west of Boston. Harvard's history began when a college was established at New Towne (renamed Cambridge, after the English alma mater of some of the leading colonists). Classes began in the summer of 1638 with one master in a single frame house and a 'college yard.' Harvard was named for a Puritan minister, John Harvard, who left the college his books, and half his estate. In the early 19th century, the schools of divinity, law, and medicine were begun. At its inception, Harvard was under church sponsorship.”
   In 1676, the first Thanksgiving Proclamation was given by the governing council at Charlestown, Massachusetts. This document and action proclaimed Thanksgiving as a date to be observed in America.
   It was out of reverence for Yahweh, even though they didn't know His Name at that time. Here we've restored the proper titles and Name:
   "The Holy [Elohim]...brought to pass bitter things against His own Covenant people in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of His judgments He hath remembered mercy, having remembered His Footstool in the day of His sore displeasure against us for our sins...if it be [Yahweh]'s mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our positive Thankfulness...The Council has thought...to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to [Yahweh] for such His Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of [Elohim]'s Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy Him returning to us; and that [Yahweh] may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching that being persuaded by the mercies of [Yahweh] we may all, even this whole people offer up our bodies and souls as a living and acceptable Service unto [Yahweh] by [Yahshua Messiah]."
   It's interesting to note that Americans early on called themselves the Covenant People. Did they understand that they were of the lost 10 tribes of Israel? Maybe they just thought of themselves as being in and of the New Covenant.
   Either way, they saw themselves as a set-apart people and with it responsibility to be in line with Yahweh's Word, not out-of-line with it.
   In 1699, Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut, was founded by 10 ministers. In addition, according to Encyclopedia Britannica:
   “Yale's initial curriculum emphasized classical studies and strict adherence to orthodox Puritanism... Puritans became noted for a spirit of moral and religious earnestness that determined their whole way of life, and they sought through church reform to make their lifestyle the pattern for the whole nation [of England]. Their efforts to transform the nation led to civil war in England and to the founding of colonies in America as working models of the Puritan way of life."
   This is Yale University and, of course, we have already seen that Harvard University had biblical principles and values as a foundation for their classes of higher thought which would have led them to live in high standards of religious and moral values to the best of their understanding.
   In 1746, Princeton University, in New Jersey, was founded by the Presbyterian Church.
   “The U.S. Presbyterian Church traces its beginnings to the earliest Presbyterian churches in the American colonies. These were established in the 17th century by New England Puritans who preferred the presbyterian system rather than New England Congregationalism...The Puritans...like the Pilgrims, sailed to America principally to free themselves from religious restraints. Unlike the Pilgrims, the Puritans did not desire to ‘separate’ themselves from the Church of England but, rather, hoped by their example to reform it,” Encyclopedia Britannica.
   Sometimes separation is necessary for Yahweh's plan to work out, but it is clear Yahweh had plans to make this nation a success for a time. That time, it now appears, is almost over.
   But the clear message from history is that those who came from England had the right intentions to establish a country which had respect and honor for the Creator of the Universe.


More Evidence and Dates
   As we continue in time, we come to the year 1751 and one of the symbols of America.
   “[The Liberty Bell is] a traditional symbol of U.S. freedom, commissioned in 1751 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly to hang in the new State House (renamed Independence Hall) in Philadelphia...It bears the [Scripture], ‘Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.’ (Leviticus 25:10),” Encyclopedia Britannica.
   In our own state Capitol of Missouri, as mentioned, we have a replica of the Liberty Bell. Also, references to Scripture are engraved and covered with gold leaf, within the overhead gallery inside. Evidence that early in America, there was, at one time, a great reverence for Yahweh's Word.
   Other significant U.S. Documents which we can all look up and see further evidence for the Scriptural Foundation of America, are as follows:
      • 1764 “The Two Treatises of Government,” by John Locke (original goes back to 1689)
      • 1766 “Commentaries on the Laws,” by Blackstone ( a four volume commentary set)
      • 1772 Right of Colonists
      • 1776 The Declaration of Independence
      • 1777 The New England Primer (original goes back to 1690)
      • 1781 Articles of Confederation
      • 1787 U.S. Constitution written.


Blessings Came, Initially
   We come to the year 1803, which added a tremendous area for the nation to continue to grow. The 1803 Louisiana Purchase (828,000 acres) from France for less that 3 cents an acre. Was America blessed? Is America being blessed now?
   What happens to nations who lose sight of Yahweh and end up doing what is right in their own sight?
   Today, it's easy to get desensitized as to just how bad the moral decay has become in this nation, and how far removed from Scripture and from Yahweh we've become, compared to the beginnings from those that had Yahweh's Word in the forefront of their minds.
   It's important that we understand we are only sojourners here, and that we are waiting for a better Kingdom to come. And since we are waiting for a better kingdom, shouldn't we be preparing for it now by getting back to the foundation and adhering to the Word of Yahweh?
   It's not a call for a revolution or rebellion; it's a call to repentance. Maybe this nation should be reminded of what its very first president said and get back to its first love. He said, "It is impossible to govern the world without [Yahweh] and the Bible," (President George Washington).
   More importantly, this nation and the world should remember what Scripture says,
  
He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be [an] abomination, Prov. 28:9 KJV.



- Elder David Brett


© 2007, 2014 Yahweh's Assemby in Yahshua
2963 County Road 233, Kingdom City, Missouri 65262
View us online at: www.YAIY.org
Call Toll Free: (877) 642-4101
Main Line : (573) 642-4100