Conquest, tribute and taxes are in view, today, as I focus on Julius Caesar and his importance as a symbol for Christian believers. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Milwaukee Wis King” (Level 1 with 37 points, a member since March 25, 2009) posted the following:
Give to Cesar what belongs to Cesar?....what does that mean?
Was Jesus talking about Julius Cesar? Help me understand what he mean by that
THE BATTLE AXE: On Asking Why (11/08/2012)—The revelation of GOD to created beings and living creatures continues as difficult to comprehend where we hold to secular ideas of reality that are merely emotional, intellectual, psychological and social truth. GOD is a spirit, and is known through (1) acts of divine will regarded as intervention and rule (e.g., creation, judgment and miracles); (2) the imparted substance of sacred person (e.g., faith, holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, wisdom and wrath against sin); (3) devices the living value such as flesh, matter, and events in the natural world; and (4) operations of the imparted, indwelling spirit made visible within the lives of those reborn through Jesus Christ (e.g., forgiveness, prophesying, repentance and worship).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God. (Joshua 24: 14-18, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Priesthood of Kings (10/17/2012); Childlike Faith (10/18/2012); Upon This Rock (02/21/2012); Dispatch 33: The Lamb of GOD (09/12/2011); Dispatch 11: Peace (Hand in Hand) 08/19/2011; Dispatch 10: Peace (Lovingkindnesses) 08/18/2011; Finders, Keepers? (01/26/2011); Girdle 36: Worthy Is The Lamb (12/21/2011)
Many mature Christian believers trust that, were Jesus here, today, and would answer your question, he would share something like the following:
Julius Caesar (and the long line of earthly rulers that followed in the mold cast by the Macedonians, Greeks, and Romans) represents all mankind. Caesar became prominent as a military commander entrusted with the defense of a nation, and was first called “emperor” as one who protects, rather than as one who rules. Rome was not the first to assume the goal of “one-world empire” that can be traced back to Nimrod (the founder of Babel, later called Babylon). The Egyptians were one of the first, most successful countries bent upon assimilation of smaller states, and expansion of their control over resources in neighboring territories. Egypt influenced the culture, economy and quality of life for every organized community in the then known world. More than this, Egypt became the center of spiritual confusion upon the earth.
Like the individual who reigned as Pharaoh, the man who reigned as Caesar always demanded tribute. Tribute, not taxes, is the due of the military conqueror, and is accounted as “honor” and “respect.” Tribute is the admission of ones own limitation and weakness; and is little different than the payment one gives to a bully in order to avoid a beating. Saying this another way, tribute is more in the nature of extortion than civic duty and support of the existing government.
Despite bitter experiences of captivity (i.e., relocation to populate and provide skills within enemy nations), by the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, and others who sought to rule the world as monarchs through dominant empires, the Jews continued in covenant to Almighty GOD. This enabled the Jews to throw off much of the idolatry, superstition, and unbelief they encountered. By returning to their roots, acknowledging and performing the law, and pursuing the things proclaimed, promised and prophesied from the Father, the Jews repeatedly were restored to their ancestral homes, and continued to receive evidences of divine care and keeping.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, as many rulers of that time, Julius Caesar claimed to be descended from the gods of Rome, and therefore built a temple where prayers and worship of his own divinity would be practiced. Caesar declared himself a god.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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