In the Eyes of God What Tribe Do I Belong To?

Keywords

tribalism, covenant identity, kingdom of God

Abstract

A Jewish joke runs as so: A Jew was stranded alone on an island. When rescuers finally arrived, they discovered he had built two synagogues. Curious why two synagogues were necessary, the stranded man said, “This is the synagogue I go to. That is the synagogue I do not go to!”

We laugh because we all relate to this joke.  Our fallen natures encourage us to create the “us” vs. “them” tribalism.

Jesus Christ came to destroy tribalism.

Instead of a covenant based on birth and tribe, as the covenant with Abraham was sometimes seen, Jesus taught that the children of Abraham must not only accept, embrace, live, love, and teach God’s covenants, but also reject any tribal or group affiliation to solely identify as children of God.

For there is neither rich nor poor, black or white, Republican or Democrat, US citizen or non-citizen in the tribe (kingdom) of God (Colossians 3:11).

Though we aspire to be a member of one of the tribes of Israel, when all is said and done, the only tribe that will matter is the tribe of God.

Original Publication Citation

In the Eyes of God What Tribe Do I Belong To?, August 11, 2019. (Republished on LDS Living August 12, 2019.)

Document Type

Other

Publication Date

2019

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Marketing

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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