034 Rich Men North of Richmond?

The Watchman offers commentary on the new hit song, "Rich Men North of Richmond" by wunderkind, Oliver Anthony (Christopher Anthony Lunsford) and the issues that are addressed in the song. But the commentary ends and warnings are issued to national and state legislatures as well as to the brethren that get caught up in all the political hoopla that our nation is facing today.

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Transcript

034 Rich Men North of Richmond?

Welcome to the Watchman Speaks! I’m your host, Lonnie Richardson. 

I have often told my wife many times that I’d like to have a job in commentary. You know, be a commentator like on the news media channels. There are times that I think that I’d like to have a job telling people what I think about what someone else did or said, and get paid good money to do so. Why not? No, I don’t believe that I’d do that. There wouldn’t be anything good accomplished if I did that. Nothing has been changed by the current commentary. No need to add my voice to that confusion.

But the news media today are a biased lot. No if’s, no and’s, no but’s, no maybe’s. They are ALL biased either to the left or to the right. There is no middle ground. There is no balance. The only thing that the news media has accomplished in the past 15 to 20 years is to divide Americans. It’s plain and very easy to see. Never in our country’s history, have Americans been so divided, at least not since the civil war. Never in our country’s history have Americans been so disengaged and distracted from the real issues at hand that are causing our once great nation to stagger and to be shaken off its foundations. Yes, I spoke of a once great nation as in the past tense. Gone are the days of Walter Cronkite who used to go on air and just tell you what happened that day. You could make your own decisions.  So, in light of all that I’ve said thus far, I’m going to offer some commentary anyway.  

 In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past two or three weeks and have not heard of a song, “Rich Men North of Richmond”, allow me to introduce you to Oliver Anthony music. “Rich Men North of Richmond” is a song written and produced by a young man from Farmville, Virginia whose name is actually Christopher Anthony Lunsford. Christopher uploaded a video on YouTube of himself performing “Rich Men North of Richmond” on August 8 of this year. Within a short 13 days, today being August 21,  its had over 29 million views. “Rich Men North of Richmond”  is the #1 tune in iTunes sales. Christopher also has the #2, #3, and #9 songs on iTunes. The tune “Rich Men North of Richmond” hit Billboard’s top ten on the hot 100 list. All of that with no crews, no special editing, no professional set or recording studio. Just a young man with a guitar, a microphone, three dogs, a folding camp chair with a deer stand against the background of some woods.  

What I hear is a young man that has been dealt some crushing blows by the harsher side of life. He has experienced the long hours of labor with little pay and no hope for achieving the American Dream. He can’t get ahead. What’s the use? He addresses the problems of anxiety, depression, and mental health brought about by hopelessness. Having experienced these things, he looks to Washington D.C. just north of Richmond and sees politicians fighting for political supremacy, bartering back and forth for political survival while we the people struggle to survive. Bidenomics ain’t working for him. He sees injustices and he addresses those injustices as he sees them. I call that freedom of speech. Others call it conspiracy theory and misinformation. 

Here's the thing about conspiracy theory. It’s theory because one has to have genuine, hard evidence in hand to prove conspiracy. But rich men have deep pockets, and they have others behind them who have deeper pockets still. When you have deep pockets you can pay to have a lot of manure or evidence covered up or, if necessary, destroyed. That way it’s easy to say that there is no conspiracy because there is no evidence, and the conspiracy remains a theory.

Here's what I do know. No one, not Elvis, not the Beatles, or any popular celebrity,  has accomplished in less than two weeks what Christopher Lunsford, or Oliver Anthony, has done. Over 29 million views? Top seller on iTunes as well as the #2 the #3 and th #9 songs simultaneously? Top ten on the hot 100 list? In less than two weeks? No one. Not even Joe Biden or Donald Trump can match those numbers. So, something in what “Rich Men North of Richmond” has to say has seemingly struck a nerve with the American Public. What might that be? 

And by the way, if you think that Chris aspires to become a Rich Man South of Richmond, you’d be mistaken. He’s already turned down multi-million dollar offers from the music industry. Yep, he merely wants to make music that others can relate to, pay off his land, and make a living farming and raising livestock. Good for you Chris. I hope you get to pay off your land, raise some livestock, and build a cabin to replace that travel trailer you’re living in. I’m not saying that to make a joke. He really does live in a travel trailer, with a tarp over the roof of it. 

I’ve watched and listened to what is going on here in America. Some Christians have admitted that Chris has identified and addressed the real issues at hand with his song, “Rich Men North of Richmond”. But many bemoan his use of words, stating that “he ruined it when he said ‘Bullshit”!

Yeah I said it. It’s not a word that I use on a regular basis. I don’t make a habit of using the word and I don’t recommend that anyone else does either. However, I have waded through enough of it when I was growing up on a cattle farm in Louisiana to recognize it when I see it. Through the years, I have become adept at recognizing it when I hear it. Here’s one thing that I know for certain. It’ll cling to you forever if you don’t wash it off. That’s what Chris is trying to do. He stood on his own two feet and wrote a song, using language that every American can relate to. That’s non-believer, believer, white, black, red, brown, yellow Every age group, every gender, every person who works to make an honest, overtaxed dollar. 

You are going to criticize a young man for calling it what it is? Here’s what I know. Christopher Anthony Lunsford has taken a stand and said what the church is too weak to say. He called it out. Brought it to the forefront. When is the last time that the church stood unified and did such a thing? Nothing was said when they took prayer or the Bible out of schools. Nothing was said when they ripped the ten commandments from courthouse walls. The church was silent and still it remains silent. What is the church afraid of? Oh I know. And I suspect you know. But I don’t have the time to go into that at this time. 

Here's another thing that I know. Do you know what rich men do? They concoct ways to acquire more wealth and, it might be said, have no qualms about any injustices that they have dish out along the way to get what they want.  

Would it be fair to say that those holding offices in Washington D.C. are wealthy men and women when they took office? I’m talking about the Senate, House of Representatives, The President, and Vice President. I’m talking about the elected. Comparatively speaking, in regard to working class Americans, I’d say that it skates past possible into the realm of being probable or most likely. I’d say that most who take office are wealthy in comparison to the average working American.

Why would I say that? Well, did they get into office using or campaigning with their own wealth? No, I don’t think so. Wealthy people know wealthy people. And if one is not wealthy enough and wishes to hold office they make it their business to meet and know wealthy people. Those wealthy people or companies, make contributions to an office seekers campaign. Why would they make such contributions? Such contributions are tax deductible. It’s kind of like those who pay tithes and offerings to the church. They are looking for that tax write off. Not all, mind you. But some

So, they make contributions not only for a tax write off but because they believe that the proposed candidate will make the country a better place to live for all Americans? I doubt it. It seems that where money and power are involved the human heart becomes skewed and greedy, for the most part. I suspect that there are favors asked in return. I don’t know that for certain, but I have my suspicions. Call it conspiracy theory and misinformation. But if that be the case the stage is set for both parties to acquire greater wealth pulling monies out of the pockets of Americans or working them without due compensation. Why do you think that so much of manufacturing has been moved to Asia? Greater profits. 

Now don’t go to thinking that I’m just talking about the Democratic Party. Well, I am talking about the Democratic Party. But I’m also talking across the board, to the other side of the aisle too. To the Republican Party. I hear a lot of promises. I see a lot of money being spent in committee meetings. I am told that great atrocities are being uncovered and progress is being made. But I’m not seeing any corrective action. 

To be honest I can’t place any faith in any man or political party. I just can’t. I don’t have THAT much faith.

I’ll tell you what I haven’t seen. I have not seen one, not one State Senator, Representative, Governor, or Federal Senator, Representative, President, Vice President, or Supreme Court Justice hit their knees before God crying out, “LORD! Give us wisdom that we may lead these people!” Come to think about it, I’ve not seen or heard of very many Americans humbling themselves on their knees, seeking the face of God, repenting and turning from their sin crying , “God, we’ve gotten ourselves into a mess. We need YOU to lead us!”

Okay, the commentary is over. I’ve said all I had to say. Perhaps I said to much. I apologize if anyone was offended that I used an expletive that you deem as cursing. But young Christopher has raised some good points in his song, “Rich Men North of Richmond”. And in case you’re wondering if he is just some angry young man upset at the establishment, I beg to differ.

You see, Chris doesn’t want to be a full time musician. He doesn’t want to sing to sold out arenas or have six tour buses, tractor trailer rigs, or jets. He performs, thus far, in smaller venues. People have come from all parts of the country to hear him. But before he performs, He reads the following passage of SCRIPTURE to his listeners. Oh and he has cited others also. 

Let’s look at Psalm 37:12-20

Psalm 37:12–20 (NASB95) 

  12            The wicked plots against the righteous 

And gnashes at him with his teeth. 

  13            The Lord laughs at him, 

For He sees his day is coming. 

  14            The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow 

To cast down the afflicted and the needy, 

To slay those who are upright in conduct. 

  15            Their sword will enter their own heart, 

And their bows will be broken. 

  16            Better is the little of the righteous 

Than the abundance of many wicked. 

  17            For the arms of the wicked will be broken, 

But the Lord sustains the righteous. 

  18            The Lord knows the days of the blameless, 

And their inheritance will be forever. 

  19            They will not be ashamed in the time of evil, 

And in the days of famine they will have abundance. 

  20            But the wicked will perish; 

And the enemies of the Lord will be like the glory of the pastures, 

They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.  

Good for you Chris. I know that you struggled with alcohol, drugs, depression, anxiety, and mental health conditions. I know your story about how you asked God to deliver you from all those things and that He would have Holy Spirit guide your songwriting and your music to help others. I get it. You’re not in it for the money. You do it for people. Good for you.

Now, I’m going into watchman mode. Thus far, what I was hoping to achieve was to get your attention. To wake you up. Have I succeeded? If not, WAKE UP! Pay attention!

You see there is a lot more in Psalm 37. It ALL applies to what we are facing today in America. Evil, wrongdoing, oppression, iniquity, darkness, and sin have flooded this nation like oil on water. It’s suffocating. It’s disheartening. It’s a shame when you consider the principles that this country was founded upon. Psalm 37 is a Psalm of hope. There are PROMISES contained in there IF you will see and understand them. 

One such promise is in Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Now everyone likes that verse. They love it. But most do not understand that there is a pre-requisite and the pre-requisite follows in verse 5, “Commit your way to the LORD. Trust in HIM and He will do it.” Most people don’t want to adhere to the thought that God might require something of them. 

Here's my question. What if your heart’s desires are outside of God’s will? Will He still give you the desires of your heart? Possibly. But I’d dare to wage that at some point you will regret that He ever allowed it to come into being. It would do one well to read the entirety of Psalm 37 and meditate on those words. Come to think of it, Psalm 35 is a good choice as well. Go ahead and read that too. I dare you.

Let’s put it plainly. This nation of ours is in a mess. It’s in a mess because we have remained silent while Men have whittled our freedoms away. Now, is it too late to speak up? I don’t think so. I’d say that it depends on who you are speaking to. As I’ve said, politicians are too busy wrestling for power to survive politically while we the people struggle to survive. Who is the source of your provision? God? The Government? 

I can tell you this much. I can’t count the times a politician has lied to me. However, I can tell you that as I go through God’s Holy Word, that God has NEVER lied to me. Some have told me that they feel that God has forsaken them. Really? Has God forsaken you? Or have you forsaken God? That is a possibility. The two are separate and distinct situations. Answer that question honestly, to yourself, then we’ll talk.

Isaiah addresses the “Rich Men North of Richmond” as well as the State Legislatures. Let’s see what Isaiah had to say.

Isaiah 10:1–4 (NASB95)  

    1      Woe to those who enact evil statutes 

And to those who constantly record unjust decisions, 

    2            So as to deprive the needy of justice 

And rob the poor of My people of their rights, 

So that widows may be their spoil 

And that they may plunder the orphans. 

    3            Now what will you do in the day of punishment, 

And in the devastation which will come from afar? 

To whom will you flee for help? 

And where will you leave your wealth? 

    4            Nothing remains but to crouch among the captives 

Or fall among the slain. 

In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away 

And His hand is still stretched out. 

Evil statutes or laws? Recording unjust decisions? To deprive and rob MY PEOPLE of their rights?

Here is a warning to the law makers. A day of punishment is coming. There will be a reckoning. Devestation WILL come from afar and you will have no where to flee from it. What then will your wealth accomplish for you? It will not accomplish anything.

However, turn and lead the people, God’s People, in good, just decisions for even now, the LORD awaits with an outstretched hand to save you.

But that’s not all Isaiah had to say. Isaiah addresses the King of Assyria, Sennacherib who laid waste to the Northern Kingdom of Israel because of Israel’s disobedience.

Isaiah 10:12–14 (NASB95) 

  12      So it will be that when the Lord has completed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the pomp of his haughtiness.” 

  13      For he has said, 

“By the power of my hand and by my wisdom I did this,

For I have understanding; 

And I removed the boundaries of the peoples 

And plundered their treasures, 

And like a mighty man I brought down their inhabitants, 

  14            And my hand reached to the riches of the peoples like a nest, 

And as one gathers abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth; 

And there was not one that flapped its wing or opened its beak or chirped.” 

Sounds to me as if Isaiah had our President and his agenda in mind. Our boundaries no longer exist, the treasuries are being plundered, the riches of the people are plundered. And still, I don’t hear any wing flapping or chirping going on. Perhaps I said that wrong. Maybe wing flapping is all that I'm seeing and chirping is all that I'm hearing.

Isaiah 10:5–11 (NASB95) 

    5            Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger 

And the staff in whose hands is My indignation, 

    6            I send it against a godless nation 

And commission it against the people of My fury 

To capture booty and to seize plunder, 

And to trample them down like mud in the streets. 

Anyone feeling like they been trampled in the mud?

    7            Yet it does not so intend, 

Nor does it plan so in its heart, 

But rather it is its purpose to destroy 

And to cut off many nations. 

    8            For it says, “Are not my princes all kings? 

    9            “Is not Calno like Carchemish, 

Or Hamath like Arpad, 

Or Samaria like Damascus? 

Is the “prince” not being protected as a king?

  10            “As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols, 

Whose graven images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria, 

  11            Shall I not do to Jerusalem and her images 

Just as I have done to Samaria and her idols?” 

God sent Assyria to Get Israel’s attention. And Sennacherib did. But he lusted for more. His purpose was to destroy and crush nations. Sennacherib referred to his sons as kings. Hmmm…I’ll leave that to lie for the time being.

But let’s look at how James addresses the “man” who strives to become more wealthy while unjustly paying those who work to make him rich. Here’s the warning.

James 5:1–6 (NASB95) 

Misuse of Riches

    1      Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 

    2      Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 

    3      Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 

    4      Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 

    5      You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 

    6      You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you. 

That’s the warning to the lawmakers and the rich man. Here’s the warning for those who get caught up in the politics, the doom and gloom, and the hopelessness. As well, James addresses what we should be considering.

James 5:7–11 (NASB95) 

    7      Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 

    8      You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 

    9      Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 

  10      As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 

  11      We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. 

Those early rains and latter rains are important. Those early rains sprout the seed. The latte rain matures the harvest. Don’t be a complainer or a whiner. WHY? So that we ourselves are not judged on the same level as the oppressor for the Judge is standing at the door, listening. James tells us to compare what we are facing to what the prophets faced when they spoke in the Name of the LORD. Blessed are those who endured TILL THE END! Look at Job and his outcome.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 

So in these uncertain times which are difficult, Rise up in the Spirit. Cast off your cares. God is still God. Let go and let God. 

By the way, did you take my advice and read Psalm 37 in its entirety? Shame on you if you didn’t.

Psalm 37:25 (NASB95) 

  25            I have been young and now I am old, 

Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken 

Or his descendants begging bread. 

I’m sorry that I had to take the long way around to set up these truths, but it was necessary to deliver the full impact. I leave you with one more piece of advice during these dark days. 

 Psalm 118:8 is the central verse of the entire Bible. It has the exact number of chapters and verses preceding it as it has following it. It is the central truth in the Bible.

Psalm 118:8 (NASB95) 

    8            It is better to take refuge in the Lord

Than to trust in man. 

I am The Old Watchman, Ezekiel. Now you know. You have been warned.

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