What an amazing story! Have you read it? Normally not a genre I would pick up off the shelf...until all the good reviews, hype, and sis-in-law finally convince me that it must be really good. (Much like Twilight.)
So I dove in head first and loved the first book in the trilogy...and it reminded me so much of the Old Testament. I didn't make this connection until I read Hebrews 12 recently. The two subtitles in this chapter are 1) God's discipline proves His love, and 2) A Call to Listen to God. Here's an excerpt:
You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling." (Heb. 12:18-21)
Suzanne Collins' mythical Capitol, albeit harsh and domineering, is like the God that struck fear into the Israelites until they obeyed Him. The main difference in this analogy is the fact that the Capitol is only looking for selfish power; they are NOT set out to show their love for anything but themselves. Like the old saying goes- absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Do you sometimes feel like God's power is too absolute for you? Maybe you reject some of His laws that don't suit your lifestyle. What is "lifestyle" anyway? I've never seen that word in scripture. Should humans really get to choose what style they WANT to live their life? As Americans, we sometimes think this is a God-given right. But let me tell you friends - it is a privilege. Our freedom was not free. It was bought with a price - a sacrifice made by American soldiers past and present that originally earned it and continue to defend it today. They fought for YOU and ME. And our children. (Does this sound like some other characters you know? Katniss Everdeen? Jesus Christ?)
Allow me to show you the next 3 verses of Hebrews 12:
No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
The Hunger Games revolves around Katniss, an amazing young lady of courage that makes the ultimate sacrifice for her younger sister, whom she dearly loves.
Consider Jesus Christ as your main character. He's an amazing man of courage that made the ultimate sacrifice for you, whom he dearly loves.
When God sent His son, the Old Testament God was gone and a new covenant was made. Instead of speaking audibly to His people, the Lord spoke through Jesus. Now He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit. He wants to be your Abba, your Father, your Savior. His power- that seems domineering at times- is present because of His amazing love for you.
And like any good trilogy, I'm hoping that Collins' next two books live up to the expectation I have in my mind for them. (Am I the only one that hasn't even started the 2nd book yet?) I'm off to "catch fire" now...
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