Hey. Quick announcement.
I suspect that Kanye West and his decades of social capital are going to play an integral role in the flip we’ll soon see occur within societal norms.
What has been deemed “cool” (political correctness) is about to be exchanged for something that, over the past few decades, has been anything but.
That being…
Existing authentically as yourself. Regardless of whose feathers it may ruffle. But, before we get to Ye, lets set the foundation.
Ever read the book of Judges? It’s a gory one.
And in the 7th verse of the 7th chapter, there’s an interesting scene unfolding.
If you’ve ever had the privilege to read the Torah then you know how Israel has proven themselves a “stiff-necked” people over and over and over again.
Despite the miracles and the provisions, they just can’t seem to get it right.
They continue to reject God.
From Adam to Noah to Abraham to Moses to Joshua… God’s people can’t seem to tow the line, no matter how many chances they’re given.
In Judges, which happens to be the 7th book of the Bible, we see the people of God go from bad, to worse. History had moved on from both Moses and Joshua, the leaders are dead, and now it’s a free for all.
There is no king, hence the title of the book, and people are actively giving themselves over to their most base desires.
Though, it wasn't always like this.
From Genesis to Joshua, there’s an acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty.
A reverential fear, even.
Those generations saw some crazy miracles. With their own eyes.
If I actually saw the Red Sea being split open …
How would that impact my worldview?
Personally, I think fear is an appropriate response. Regardless, what God was beginning to realize about His earth-bound creations, was that it didn’t take long for them to become hell-bent on doing whatever it is they wanted to.
(see the last verse in the book; Judges 21:25)
So, He gives them over to their flesh.
In chapter six we meet a guy by the name of Gideon.
This at a point in Israel’s history where they’d decided to turn away from God, and instead worshipped idols of their own creation. This had been going on for 7 years, obviously, God’s probably pissed.
I mean, The Man just delivered ‘em from slavery.
In His wrath, He allows Israel to be overrun by the nation of Midian.
Though, of course — He can’t stay mad at His kids too long. We apologize, and in His Infinite Wisdom God uses this guy, Gideon, to deliver His people.
Described as the “least of His family” and a part of the “weakest clan” in his tribe. Not the most inspiring resume, to say the least.
Despite the apparent miscalculation, God was firm in His decision, and tells Gideon to gear up for a battle in which he’ll have to lead.
Gideon wasn’t expecting this — still recognizes the great opportunity nonetheless. It’s like if Paul Blart got promoted to Commander of the NYPD.
Except in the Middle East, during the year 1184 BC.
So we’re ready to rumble, it’s chapter seven, and Gideon gets all the troops together for what was probably going to be the greatest pregame speech of all time.
But God goes… “you have too many people. Kick out everyone who has even the slightest of trepidations.”
That left a third of the original thirty thousand.
Then God says… “10K? Still too many. Tell folks to drink out of that stream. The goofies who lap at the water with their tongues like dogs… keep for the battle”
That left three hundred men.
The least, of the least, of the least, of the least…
The dog like humans from a weakened Israelite army led by the least member of the lowest tribe…
And yet, utter victory.
Woah.
“The angel said: ‘Jehovah has chosen you to be a mighty warrior.’ Gideon asked, ‘how can I deliver Israel? My clan is the weakest, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.’”
Judges 6:12
Back to Kanye.
I think, most objective observers will see he’s not quite ‘normal’.
An egomaniacal hot head with bipolar disorder, who doesn’t always say things with the most poise or clarity.
Whatever qualifications you wish to put on the man to discredit, be my guest.
But, one thing he’s not — is someone else.
Kanye West, is Kanye West.
And God knows this.
Hence the release of what I feel will go down as the greatest album of all time.
Jesus is King is more than ‘another one of those’.
For someone with the cross-cultural clout of a Kanye, of whom everyone has an opinion..
…to publicly claim the name of Jesus Christ…
today?
That’s a big deal.
We are in the midst of a seismic shift to the way things work around here.
Even before Covid-19, people were beginning to ask questions about why things operate in the way they do. Especially the kids.
The ones who older generations write off as lazy and idealistic…
Are the same exact one’s who will proceed to transform the world.
So, how does Ye fit?
If he has his way, an entire generation of youths would have a chance to grow in an environment where it’s ‘cool’ to be real. To be themselves.
Whether you like it or not that’s powerful.
And, if you haven’t noticed, folks are reeling.
It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. Many are being exposed. And of course, it won’t happen overnight, but at this point — it’s inevitable.
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Peter 16:18
Peter would be proud.
“When I get to heavens gates…
I ain’t gotta peek over.”
Kanye West
I pray your soul is right.
And if not — don’t delay. Time is short. Jesus loves you.
And that’s real.
So, be patient with Kanye.
I think… he’s trying to show us something.
