An Inconsistent God?

Perhaps as you read chapter 7 this week you were overwhelmed by what seemed to be the brutality of God...maybe for the first time in our journey through the story you have stopped and said, "wait a second this doesn't sound like the kind and compassionate, grace filled God we read about it the New Testament, what gives?" Well a preacher friend of mine in Florida was asked this same question, and I loved his in depth response. He wrote:

One of our Ministry Leaders stopped me in the hallway this week and said, "I hope you're going to deal with why God told them to totally destroy everything and everybody."  It was clear by the tone in her voice that she had been reading chapter 7 and had some real concerns. Because this issue troubles so many people, I want to take some time to deal with why God commanded Joshua to kill everyone – even the innocent women and children. 

I often recommend Lee Strobel's book Case for Faith. Each chapter of the book tackles a common objection to our faith.  Chapter 4 is titled, "Objection #4: God isn't worthy of worship if he kills innocent children."  Strobel mentions this section of the Bible as troubling to the faith of many people. To find a good answer to this objection, Strobel interviews a well-known Christian scholar named Dr. Norman Geisler.  I recommend getting the book – you can get an e-version and start reading it this afternoon – Case for Faith, chapter 4.  But here is a summary of the most important points that Geisler makes in that interview:

Eight reasons why this action doesn't conflict with the character of God.

1.  God has the right to take human life.  The reason he commanded us, "Do not kill," is because we didn't create human life – therefore it's not ours to take. If you create a birthday cake, you have the right to say, "I don't like what I did – I'm going to throw it away."  But you don't have the right to go smashing somebody else's cake that you don't like. God is the creator of life.  It is God's right to give life and to take life, and in fact He has promised that some day He is going to take EVERY human life.  When he takes that life is up to him.

2.  God can delegate that right to a human government.

The Bible says in Romans 13 that the government is God's "agent of wrath," and the government has the right to enact capital punishment and to kill in war. The command, "Do not kill," is better translated, "Do not murder."  The Bible allows for killing in certain situations:  In self-defense, for capital punishment and in times of war.  But the taking of innocent human life is strictly forbidden because every human life was created by God and in the image of God.

 

3. The people of Jericho and the inhabitants of the Promised Land were evil people.

Geisler points out that the inhabitants of Jericho and the Canaanites were "a thoroughly evil culture, so much so that the Bible says it nauseated God.  They were into brutality, incest, bestiality, cultic prostitution, even child sacrifice by fire. And they were an aggressive culture that wanted to annihilate the Israelites. 

4.  God had warned the inhabitants repeatedly that they would be destroyed.

In fact, if you have read the chapter, you'll recall that Rahab told the spies that the people of Jericho had heard of God's judgment and they knew the Israelites were coming to take over.  Geisler says that God had given the Canaanites 400 years – the entire time Israel was in Egypt – to repent and fear God. And they just got worse.

5.  Many women and children had most likely already fled.

Geisler says that because people knew that war was coming, many of the women and children would have already fled before the Israelites arrived. And among the people who did stay, those who feared God and turned to him were spared – those in Rahab's household.  Don't you think she tried to fill her house with people who wanted to be saved? In fact, God had commanded the Israelites that in each town they were to make an offer of peace.  But these ruthless people never wanted peace. 

6.  The justice of God demanded that sin be dealt with.

The biggest reason we struggle to understand the killing of the Canaanites is because we have a one-sided view of God's character.  We know about the love of God but we don't understand the justice of God.  The Old Testament reveals what God really thinks of sin, and how eager He is to wipe it out.  When you understand that God could snuff you out in a moment for your sin, you begin to understand just how gracious God has been to you just to let you keep living and to give you a second chance.

7.  God needed to get rid of the evil influence of that culture.

God knew that the pagan influence on the Israelites would bring them down. If you put a white glove on your hand and stick it in the mud, the glove gets muddy.  The mud never gets "glovey." God knew that the pagan Canaanites would make it even more difficult for his people to be holy and Godly. In Chapter 8 we see the period of the Judges.  In that period of history, the people stopped obeying God and tried to live side-by-side with Canaanites and the results are awful and devastating.

But what about the children:  They were innocent – they didn't deserve to die.  That's true, But…

8.  The destruction of the children show God's mercy.

What? How could killing innocent children be merciful? Where wickedness abounds, child suffering abounds all the more.  So these children were suffering greatly in a terribly immoral culture. The Bible indicates that those who die as little children go straight to heaven.  Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, for of such is the Kingdom of heaven."  Since those children were surrounded by so much evil, it's unlikely they would have grown up as God-fearing people and they wouldn't have gone to heaven.  But God in His mercy ushers more children straight into the Kingdom. God commanding the destruction of every living thing may be troubling.  But this universe is complicated.  God's ways our not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.  If you don't like the way God ordered His universe, you are free to go start your own. But lets admit its complex. Where it appears ruthless on the surface it may really be an illustration of God's judgment and even His mercy.

The Complaint God Can't Tolerate

This week in our journey through The Story, we came to chapter 6 Wandering. And we saw how while it might have taken just one night to get Israel out of Egypt it would take 40 years to get the Egypt out of Israel. And we see this detox in the desert take place...granted they had a lot to detox from. But we see immediately emerging on their journey this selfish, entitled spirit coming through in this Holy Nation, evidenced through their incessant complaining. And we saw where it began, in the outskirts, the Message paraphrase says, "in the Riffraff." That's where complaining starts but over time it spreads quickly like an infectious disease. And as it spreads what is complained about intensifies, it starts with water and food, but by the time it spreads into Moses' own family it is racial prejudice they complain about, and to God that is completely over the line. Numbers 12:1 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife...

Now Moses was a Jew, his skin tone would have likely been tanned out in the desert, but for all intents and purposes he was white; his wife Zipphorah was a Cushite which meant she would have been dark skinned or black. Moses and his wife were an interracial couple and his own family members spoke out against this. Isn't it interesting how some things never change, here we are 3500 years later with the problem of racism still existing. Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life said he has preached in 164 nations and in his own church pastors members who speak 72 different languages and he said the most common sin he has encountered around the world, in every culture...is racism.

And you just need to know that God has no stomach for it!

Now some people disguise their racism by saying well in the Bible God forbids intermarrying of His people with other nations. And that is true, but when you dig deeper and begin to study you discover that it had nothing to do with skin color but instead the pagan religious practices of the people of the other nations, knowing that intermarrying would draw their hearts off sides and lead them away from Him. And so intermarrying with God was a faith-based issue not a raced based issue; it had nothing to do with ethnicity.

And even to this day this is still God's same standard. The Bible says that as believers we are not to be yoked together with non-believers. (2 Corinthians 6:14) A follower of Christ shouldn't date a Muslim or a Jew, a Christian business man shouldn't partner up with an atheist or an agnostic. Really if Christ is the foundation of your life, you really shouldn't want too. Because without Him at the center you really have nothing in common any way, and any attempts to build a relationship or a business together would be dubious, like two people trying to build the same house with completely different sets of blue prints...it just wouldn't work out, its designed to fail from the start.

So just so we are clear: dating or marrying a person who doesn't share your faith in Christ, God objects too; two believers coming together from another race...with God, no objections at all! Remember this is the God who said in Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Someone said simply, where there's grace there is no race.

And so these racist siblings of Moses arouse God's anger and so look at how He responds to their prejudice and complaining...{9}The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them. When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam's skin was leprous—it became as white as snow. It's as if God is saying, "Here Miriam you have a problem with Zipphorahs black skin, let me show you what real white skin looks like, I mean really white!" Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, and he said to Moses, "Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed...So Moses cried out to the Lord, "Please, God, heal her! " The Lord replied to Moses...Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back." So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

Notice that the complaining stalled progress, because she complained she was disciplined, and that discipline made the entire nation wait another week before any advancement could happen. And that's what complaining does it always hinders progress. That's why in the New Testament God simply commands, "Do everything without complaining or arguing..." (Phil. 2:14) Difficult command to keep, but when you obey, when you let go of your opinions and release your spirit of entitlement the liberation is incredible. I read a tweet the other day that said, "Freedom is slavery to a perfect master." When you realize that God is in control and that He alone is perfect and perfectly qualified to run the universe, you rest easy and enjoy your freedom realizing, "What is there really to complain about?"

 

Similarities between Joseph and Jesus

A couple of weeks ago in our study of The Story we came to the story of Joseph. And all throughout the chapter it just amazed me how similar his story was to Jesus'.

It is fascinating to see the parrallels. I did some research and found this that I thought was interesting and worthy to share.

Joseph and Jesus 

1. Joseph was a shepherd (37:2); Jesus is the Great Shepherd (John 10). 

2. Joseph was opposed to and exposed evil (37:2); Jesus did the same. 

3. Joseph was loved by the his father (37:3-4); Jesus was beloved by the Father.(Mat. 3:17; 17:5

 John 10:17; Philippians 2:9) 

4. Joseph was hated by his brothers (37:4); Jesus was hated by His brothers (John 1:11; Luke 19:14).             

5. Joseph was hated for his words (37:8); Jesus was hated for His words of truth. (John 7:7; 3:32)

6. Joseph was promised a remarkable future (37:7-12); Jesus looked passed the cross to the joy set before Him (Isaiah 9:6,7; Luke 1:31-33; Hebrews 12:2).

7. Joseph foretold of his future sovereignty (37:7-12); Jesus did the same. (Mat. 26:64)

8. Joseph was envied by his brothers (37:11); Jesus was envied by His. (Mat. 27:17-18)

9. Joseph was sent by his father to his brothers (37:13); Jesus was sent to the 'lost sheep of Israel,' by His father (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38-40; 12:48-50; 17:21)

10. Joseph seeks out his brothers (37:14-17); Jesus sought out His (Luke 19:10)

11. Joseph seeks the welfare of his brothers (37:14); Jesus came not to condemn but that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:17)

12. Joseph seeks his brothers until he finds them; Jesus seeks us until He finds us. And this at the initiative of the Father.

13. Joseph was conspired against (37:18); Jesus was also conspired against. (Mat. 12:14)

14. Joseph's brothers did not believe his dreams (37:19, 29); Jesus' brethren did not believe His words. (Mat. 27:39-43; John 3:18, 36)

15. Joseph was stripped of his coat (37:23); Jesus was stripped of His coat. (Mat. 27:27, 28; John 19:23)

16. Joseph was cast into a pit (37:24); Jesus was thrown into a grave.

17. Joseph was taken out of the pit, alive in his body (37:28); Jesus was bodily-resurrected from the tomb (pit).

18. Joseph's brothers mingled hypocrisy with their hatred (37:27); the Jews did the same with Jesus (Mat. 27:35, 36; John 18:28, 31)

19. Joseph is sold for the price of a slave(37:38); Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver (the price of a slave).

20. Judah suggested the idea of selling his brother (37:26-28); the Greek name for Judah is Judas (Mat. 1:2-3).

21. Joseph's blood sprinkled coat (goat blood) is presented to his father (37:31); Jesus is our scapegoat and His blood was presented to the Father as a sin offering. (Leviticus 16:8-10)

22. Joseph becomes a servant (39:1); Jesus became a servant (Philippians 2:6, 7)

23. Joseph was a prosperous servant (39:2, 3); Jesus was also a prosperous Servant (Isaiah 52:13; 53:10)

24. Joseph's master was well pleased with him (39:4); the Father was always pleased with what Jesus did (John 8:29).

25. Joseph, the servant, was made a blessing to others (39:5); Jesus was a blessing to the world.

26. Joseph was a goodly person (39:6); Jesus came as a servant into the world and yet lived a goodly (perfect) life.

27. Joseph was sorely tempted and did not sin(39:7-12); Jesus was tempted and did not sin (Mat. 4:1-11; Heb. 2:18; 4:15)

28. Joseph was falsely accused (39:16-18); Jesus was falsely accused (Mat. 16:59, 60).

29. Joseph attempted no defense (39:19); Jesus gave no defense at His trials (Isaiah 53:7).

30. Joseph was cast into prison, though he was innocent (39:20); Jesus is sentenced to death though Pilate found no fault in Him (John 19:4, 6).

31. Joseph thus suffered at the hands of the Gentiles (first by his brethren then by the Gentiles; Jesus was sold by His brethren then suffered at the hands of the Romans (Gentiles.

32. Joseph, the innocent one, suffered severely (Psalm 105:17, 18); Jesus suffered by crucifixion.

33. Joseph won the respect of his jailor (39:21); Jesus won the respect of a Roman centurion standing at the cross (Luke 23:47).

34. Joseph was numbered with transgressors (40:1-3); as it was prophesied about Jesus (Isaiah 53:12) and as it was (Mark 15:28).

35. Joseph was the means of blessing to one, but the pronouncer of judgment on the other (40:16, 17, 19); as Jesus was a blessing to one of the thieves He was crucified between (Luke 23:43).

36. Joseph evidenced his knowledge of the future and gave credit to God alone (40:8); as Jesus did the same on earth (John 12:49).

37. Joseph desired to be remembered by the butler (40:14); as Jesus said, "This do in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19)

38. Joseph was put in prison (the tomb) but God would not allow him to remain there because God's purpose for Joseph was not yet fulfilled. So it was with Jesus Christ, God would not allow Him to remain in the tomb (Acts 2:24). Joseph changed his prison clothes for clothes of glory as did Jesus Christ (John 20:6, 7).

39. Joseph was delivered from prison by the hand of God (God sending a dream to Pharaoh and Joseph's testimony in 45:7-9); as God raised Jesus from the tomb (Acts 2:32; 10:40).

40. Joseph is seen now as the Revealer of secrets; compare 41:16 with the words of Jesus in John 17:8; 8:28; and 12:49.Compare 41:25 with God revealing what He would shortly do through Jesus Christ in Revelation 1:1.

41. Joseph warned of a coming danger, and urged his hearers to make suitable provision to meet it (41:33-36); as did Jesus Christ warned His hearers that death did not end all but there was a life beyond the grave that one should prepare and be ready for now.

42. Joseph is portrayed as a Wonderful Counselor in giving wisdom to Pharaoh (41:33-36); as Christ is known as the One "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3).

43. Joseph's counsel commended itself to Pharaoh and his officers (41:37-39); as did Jesus' teaching while He walked on earth (Matt. 7:28-29; 13:54; and compare John 7:46 with Genesis 41:38).

44. Joseph is exalted, and set over all Egypt (41:39-40); as God highly exalted Jesus (1 Peter 3:22; Philippians 2:5-11).

45. Joseph was seated on the throne of another; as Jesus shares the Throne with the Father. "Today our Lord Jesus Christ shares the throne with the Father as Joseph shared the throne of Pharaoh. As Joseph ruled over Pharaoh's house with his word, so today our Lord Jesus Christ rules over Father as Joseph shared the throne of Pharaoh. As Joseph ruled over Pharaoh's house with his word, so today our Lord Jesus Christ rules over the Father's household, the household of faith, the Church, by and through His Word.

46. Joseph was exalted to the throne because of his personal worth; as Jesus was highly exalted for His personal worth (Philippians 2:6-9).

47. Joseph was invested with such insignia as became his new position (41:42); as was our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 5:31; Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 1:13).

48. Joseph's authority and glory were publicly owned (41:43); as Peter publicly declared the Lordship of Jesus Christ on Pentecost (Acts 2:36; Philippians 2:10)

49. Joseph received from Pharaoh a new name (41:45); as God gave Jesus Christ a new name (Philippians 2:9, 10; Matthew 1:21; Acts 5:31). True is was the name "Jesus" given to Him at His birth. Jesus means Savior, but Jesus could not save His people from their sins until after His death, burial, and resurrection. As Joseph did not become his people's savior until after his "death," "burial," and "resurrection."

50. Joseph was thirty years old when he began his ministry (41:46); as Jesus was thirty when He began His public ministry (Luke 3:23).

51. Joseph's exaltation was followed by a season of plenty (41:47-49); as their (is) a season of harvest now after Jesus' exaltation as LORD. This time period is known as "the time of the Gentiles." (Romans 11:25; John 12:24).

52. Joseph's exaltation was also followed by a period of famine (41:53-54); as 'the time of Gentiles' will come to an end and 'the time of Jacob's trouble' (Jeremiah 30:7) will begin. (See Daniel 12:7; Mark 13:19-20 (it will a very grievous time (as in Genesis 41:31)). It will be a time when the whole earth (a picture of all of Egypt) will be tried. (Revelation 3:10). See Amos 8:11-12 for the kind of famine coming (or may already be here) - a famine of the Word of God.

53. Joseph, alone, is now seen as dispersing bread to a perishing world (41:55); as Jesus is the One who alone disperses the Bread of Life (Acts 4:12; Matthew 17:5 '. . . hear Him.'

54. Joseph became a Saviour to all peoples (41:57; 54); as Jesus is the Savior to all peoples (John 3:16; Revelation 5:9).

55. Joseph has unlimited resources to meet the need of all the people (41:49); as we read of the riches of Christ's grace in passages such as Eph. 1:7; 2:7; 2:4; 1 Peter 1:3; Eph. 3:8; Col. 2:9; Romans 10:12.

56. Joseph's family is driven out of their own land (42:1-3, 5); this is in fulfillment of God's prophecy in Genesis 15:13. And so, a few years after Joseph's brothers rejected him they are forced out of their country as were the Jews after a few years after rejecting Christ were scattered into the world by the Romans.

57. Joseph was unknown and unrecognized by his brethren (42:6, 8); as Jesus today is not recognized by the Jews. Joseph was exalted over all the house of Pharaoh, but Jacob knew it not. All the seyears he thought(assumed)that Joseph was dead! Today, Jews 'believe' Jesus to be dead and do not know that He has been exalted as LORD over all the world.

58. Joseph, however, saw and knew his brethren (42:7); so too, Jesus' eye is on the Jews even today (Jeremiah 16:17; Hosea 5:3).

59. Joseph punished his brethren (42:7, 17); as God (Jesus) is dealing harshly with the Jews today (Hosea 9:17; Matthew 23:35-36, 38-39. "Joseph was the cause of their troubles now. Joseph was punishing them for their past dealing with himself. The secret of all Judah's suffering during the past centuries is to be found in the fact that the rejected Messiah has been dealing 'roughly' with them."

60. Joseph made provision for his brethren while they were in a strange land (42:25); as God (Jesus) promised to provide for the Jews while they are scattered (Jeremiah 30:11; Ezekiel 11:16)

From Gleanings in Genesis by A. W. Pink