So the US are not happy about allowing Chinese companies too much access to their markets, for fear that they might take the opportunity to do some espionage on the quiet. Of course, the US (believing themselves to be the good guys!) have never done this sort of thing to the Chinese, Russians or anyone else, have they?
And then there are concerns amongst those thinking about the proposed merger between BAE Systems (the major British contractor) and the European business, EADS, which has some control from both French & German governments. The US government are the major customer for BAE Systems defence contracts, the hope for those planning the merger is that the US won't mind having these European interests involved in their own security. On the other side, somewhat predictably, there are those in Britain who don't want any European influence in a major defence contractor's activity.
At root, these seem to boil down to one fear. You can't trust foreigners!
Is there a Biblical parallel?
Throughout the Bible, the people of God are warned about the potential for ruin which would come from making treaties with people who didn't share their faith in the one true God. 'Make no treaties with them and show them no mercy. You must not intermarry with them. Do not let your daughters and sons marry their sons and daughters, for they will lead your children away from me to worship other gods. Then the anger of the Lord will burn against you, and he will quickly destroy you.' (Deuteronomy 7.2b-4)
Later history showed that these warnings were not heeded. 'Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, ‘You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.’ Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway.' (1 Kings 11.1-2)
Solomon didn't just have a few foreign wives - he had hundreds! The very security of the nation was put at risk because of the idolatry which became the norm in ancient Israel. Once faith in God is compromised, anything goes.
Jesus taught the same truth, not linked, obviously, to foreigners or people from a different class or culture. Our tendency to idolatry goes much deeper than that. '“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.' (Matthew 6.19-21) We are surrounded, daily, by the temptations to indulge in materialistic idolatry. Our eyes see things which can draw us away from trusting God wholeheartedly. That is why we must guard our eyes. ' “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!' (Matthew 6.22-23)
Just as the US may have good reasons to be fearful of Chinese influences, so we must take care of our thoughts and desires. Otherwise, we will face spiritual trouble and possible disaster.
Best wishes,
Richard
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