While the previous song "Lamb And The Lion" suggests the apocalypse (due to the presence of lamb/lion imagery in the book of Revelations), and this song itself has references to Genesis, I think it may be more about man playing the role of God with references to other biblical destruction being used as a means of describing. That being, man is quoting the Old Testament, God's "eruptions" and "floods" as justification for their actions of burning and salting the earth. Manifest Destiny was largely considered by settlers to be the will of God (Exodus 23:30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.) Not only was this newly discovered, large slice of land perfect for expansion, it was filled with heathens that could do with some converting, or killing. The line that was corrected by Phonophobe is particularly telling of this.
He said, "Burn 'em up. Salt the earth. Do it fast. Make it hurt. Forget about salvation, they've got a new destination
This could very well be a reference to the trail of tears and the devastation of native american land. There were many settlers who believed death was the only path to salvation for the heathen indians. The California missions may be another link, in the repeated line of God telling someone to "Open up their eyes and let them know that I am very close to them," especially because the band is from California and it is required education for every elementary school to learn in excruciating detail about the missions.
While the previous song "Lamb And The Lion" suggests the apocalypse (due to the presence of lamb/lion imagery in the book of Revelations), and this song itself has references to Genesis, I think it may be more about man playing the role of God with references to other biblical destruction being used as a means of describing. That being, man is quoting the Old Testament, God's "eruptions" and "floods" as justification for their actions of burning and salting the earth. Manifest Destiny was largely considered by settlers to be the will of God (Exodus 23:30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.) Not only was this newly discovered, large slice of land perfect for expansion, it was filled with heathens that could do with some converting, or killing. The line that was corrected by Phonophobe is particularly telling of this.
He said, "Burn 'em up. Salt the earth. Do it fast. Make it hurt. Forget about salvation, they've got a new destination
This could very well be a reference to the trail of tears and the devastation of native american land. There were many settlers who believed death was the only path to salvation for the heathen indians. The California missions may be another link, in the repeated line of God telling someone to "Open up their eyes and let them know that I am very close to them," especially because the band is from California and it is required education for every elementary school to learn in excruciating detail about the missions.