–– Paul Schlehlein
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Zimbabwe and King Manasseh
In February of 2024, the Government of Zimbabwe sent out a press statement strongly rejecting the efforts that foreign nations have made to ensnare its citizens into homosexual behaviour through the offers of educational scholarships.
Like other African nations such as Uganda, Zimbabwe firmly condemns Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender activities. Zimbabwe opposes the viewpoint of several neighbouring countries, namely South Africa and Mozambique, both of which promote significant LGBT protections.
The press statement uses several terms to describe how Zimbabwe views homosexuality. First, the statement calls homosexuality “unlawful”. In keeping with Romans 13 and God’s command that governments be a “terror” to “bad conduct” (v. 3), Zimbabwe has enacted legislation opposing homosexuality. This includes Sodomy Law, Section 73 from 2006, which forbids explicit homosexual behaviour.
Second, the Government of Zimbabwe calls homosexuality “unchristian”. According to Scripture, the Christian faith opposes homosexuality in both the Old (Lv. 18:22) and New Testaments (1Tm. 1:9-11). It is one of the consequences of rejecting God (Rom. 1:21-27). God says that no one can enter heaven who engages in unrepentant homosexual activity (1Cor. 6:9-10). Christian nations that try to strong-arm Zimbabwe into changing their position are opposing the Christian faith and asking for the judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Third, Zimbabwe calls homosexuality “anti-life”. Back in Genesis, God told Adam and Eve, and all mankind that follows, to “be fruitful and multiply” (Gn. 1:28). This is something homosexuals can never do. A society that hopes to commit suicide will promote homosexuality among its people. A nation that desires to flourish will urge its husbands and wives to make lots of babies together.
Zimbabwe should be praised for her courage in the face of so much worldwide opposition. What is so remarkable about these actions is that for decades Zimbabwe has been among the most corrupt nations on earth. Their Marxist government has made the sins against her citizens legion, including voter intimidation, inflating the money system, unlawful arrests, and nepotism. According to the World Population Review, Zimbabwe has the second lowest economic freedom score in the world. Her recent stand for righteousness is like a rose on a pile of manure.
Zimbabwe is similar to King Manasseh, who was king of the southern kingdom of Judah. Like Zimbabwe, which has Christian roots, Manasseh was the son of the godly king Hezekiah. But he became wicked. He erected altars to Baal. He shed innocent blood (2Ki 21:16). So horrible were the sins of King Manasseh that God considered him to be more wicked than the pagan nations that lived among him (2Ki. 21:11).
So God judged Manasseh. He sent the Assyrians to capture the king and take him away into captivity (2Chron. 33:11). This humbled Manasseh and led him to repentance. 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 says:
“When [Manasseh] was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.”
Just as God restored King Manasseh, He can forgive Zimbabwe. Standing upright for a biblical view of marriage is a good start. Now, if she will be humble herself and pray and forsake her evil ways, God will forgive and heal her land and bless her with His favor (2Chron. 7:14).