From the Editor Sep/Oct 2016
Dear Friends,
Have you ever heard of the Yazoo land scandal of 1795? Apparently, it is considered “the most corrupt deal in American history,” according to historynewsnetwork.org.
Shortly after the American Revolution, the state of Georgia sold 35 million acres (now parts of Alabama and Mississippi), called the Yazoo lands, for $500,000. “Every member of the Georgia legislature but one accepted a bribe in return for his vote,” historynewsnetwork.org said.
Then there’s the Teapot Dome scandal that sullied the presidency of Warren G. Harding in 1921. Without seeking competitive bids, Harding’s secretary of the interior, Albert B. Fall, gave private oil companies drilling rights to the oil fields at Teapot Dome in Wyoming and personally pocketed what today would amount to $7 million. Aol.com said Fall has “the dubious distinction of being the first former Cabinet member to be sentenced to prison.”
And then there’s Abscam, code name for “Arab Scam,” a public corruption investigation from 1978 to 1980 that involved more than 100 U.S. federal agents, some posing as Arab sheiks, seeking bribes in exchange for favorable legislation. Seven congressmen went to prison.
Unfortunately, people have not grown more honest over time. Today worldwide corruption abounds. “Companies and individuals pay at least $1 trillion in bribes to public sector officials annually,” The Huffington Post reported in March.
Corruption is nothing new. In fact, it was so prevalent in ancient Israel that it was one of God’s chief complaints against His people. In this issue of Israel My Glory, we learn what the prophet Micah had to tell the Israelites about their failure to live righteously. Their sins were similar to those of many countries today, and God punished Israel for them. But Israel has a promise from God that no other nation has: “For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up” (Jer. 24:6).
As you read these articles, bear in mind that ancient dates are difficult to pin down and some authors will differ on the dates of specific events. Regardless, the message is the same. Nations should fear God, and His people should love Him and bring glory to His holy name.
Waiting for His Appearing,
Lorna Simcox
Editor-in-Chief
