With the advent of air travel followed by the internet with social media the world has drastically shrunk the last few decades. Now we can be in instant communication with anyone on the planet. We can travel to anywhere on the globe in 24 hours. Translation apps with Google and Bing have enabled people to communicate in different languages. Globalization is driven by advances in technology, transportation, communication, and economic integration. It has transformed the world into a global village, where events in one part of the world can have far-reaching consequences for others.
Globalization is a modern phenomenon, accelerating sharply after World War II. With internet and social media crossing national borders it seems like people in the nations are continually jostling with each other. We see the mass migrations at border crossings as people desperate to escape war, famine and to secure a brighter future for their children risk their lives to take planes, buses, and even trekking for days to reach security elsewhere.
Culturally, globalization has brought about the spread of ideas, values, and lifestyles. It has led to the popularity of global brands, the exchange of cultural practices, and the blending of traditions. However, it has also raised concerns about the loss of cultural diversity and the dominance of Western values. Critics argue that globalization exacerbates inequality, exploits workers, and undermines national sovereignty. They call for policies that protect local industries and workers.
Will there ever be justice for the poor in our roiled global village?
Foreseen in the Bible
Though an ancient book, the Bible has held the nations, and justice for them, continually in the center of its vision. This may be of surprise to some who think it speaks only of the Mosaic legal system. As far back as Abraham, 4000 years ago, G-d promised him:
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.Genesis 12:3
We see here that the Bible’s scope already 4000 years ago included ‘all peoples on earth’. G-d promised a global blessing. G-d later reiterated this promise later in Abraham’s life when he had just obeyed G-d’s command in the binding of Isaac:
and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”Genesis 22:18
‘Offspring’ here is in the singular. A single descendant from Abraham would bless ‘all nations on earth’. Globalism surely permeates through that promise. But that was laid out long before internet, modern travel and globalization arrived. It is like a Mind back then foresaw the distant future and envisioned the globalization occurring today. Also, that vision was for the good of people, not for their exploitation.
Continued with Jacob
Several hundred years later, Abraham’s grandson Jacob (or Israel) uttered this vision to his son Judah. Judah became the leading tribe of the Israelites such that the modern designation ‘Jew’ is attributed to this tribe.
The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he to whom it belongs shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his.Genesis 49:10
This foresees a time among the nations when that single descendant who Abraham previously glimpsed would one day obtain the ‘obedience of the nations’.
And the Prophets
Hundreds of years later, around 700 BCE, the prophet Isaiah received this global vision for the world. In this vision G-d speaks to a coming Servant. This Servant would bring salvation to ‘the ends of the earth’.
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”Isaiah 49:6
This same servant would also:
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”Isaiah 42: 1-4
Justice ‘to the nations’ ‘on earth’ even to the ‘islands’. That surely is a global scope. And the vision is to ‘bring forth justice’.
Listen to me, my people;
hear me, my nation:
Instruction will go out from me;
my justice will become a light to the nations.
5 My righteousness draws near speedily,
my salvation is on the way,
and my arm will bring justice to the nations.
The islands will look to me
and wait in hope for my arm.Isaiah 51:4-5
The nation that spawned this vision will see the spread of ‘justice to the nations’ even to ‘islands’ scattered across the world.
To Revelation at the Close of the Brit Chadasha
Right down to its closing pages, it holds healing and justice for the nations in view.
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.Revelation 5:9
Speaking of the honor that will come forth in the New Zion, the Bible closes with
The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.Revelation 21: 24-26
… In Context of the Coming Messianic Kingdom
The Bible lays out this vision of justice for peoples of the nations in the context of the Messianic Kingdom with its Messiah coming to rule. This Messiah must be a descendant of the ancient King David, son of Jesse. As Isaiah foresaw:
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. 11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean.
12 He will raise a banner for the nations
and gather the exiles of Israel;
he will assemble the scattered people of Judah
from the four quarters of the earth.Isaiah 11: 10-12
This passage predicts
- Aliyah of Jews from around the world back to Israel from exile. We see this happening on the global center stage with the precise details of its timing explored here.
- The nations rallying under the banner of the son of David. We see this also happening on the global stage as peoples from all nations rally to Yeshua of Nazareth.
That same passage also foresees the reign of the Messiah.
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.Isaiah 11:4-5
The Messiah will reign, resulting in peace, justice, righteousness and faithfulness from his rule to Jew and Gentile. Though we can see some events occurring, we wait a little longer for this reign. But for those thirsty for that still future reign there is an invitation in the present.
Invitation to those Thirsty for it
We do not yet see the justice that the Bible foresees. But the Servant who will bring it about has come and even now invites any who are thirsty for justice for all nations across the globe to come to him.
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.Isaiah 55:1-3
Isaiah foresaw and wrote down how the servant would accomplish this 2700 years ago. We examine it in detail here.