“In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” Romans 8:28
God knows Satan. He knows his every move, how he reacts under pressure, what’s important to him. God knows everything about him. However, Satan doesn’t know God quite so well (1 Corinthians 2:8).
I was reminded of this when I watched the movie, Oceans Eleven, the story of a casino robbery. The reason why the robbery was successful was that the thieves knew the casino owner so well. They spent time watching his every move. They watched how he reacted under pressure. They knew what was important to him. By the time the robbery was in progress the thieves were able to manoeuver the owner into being where they wanted him to be, seeing what they wanted him to see. The owner thought he had a foolproof security system but it was thwarted by the thieves’ superior knowledge.
God knew that Satan would orchestrate the death of his Son. So much so that God would prophesy about it decades before it happened (Isaiah 53). It wasn’t that God initiated the death of his own Son but rather he gave Satan an opportunity.
The sun doesn’t cause darkness but rather it’s when the sun withdraws that we’re in darkness. In a similar way sometimes God withdraws his light and Satan has an opportunity. We also see this in the book of Job when God withdraws his protection from Job.
We can live securely in the knowledge that God is never the initiator of evil. He sometimes allows evil but only if he can bring good from it. We also know that God is never taken by surprise, he never says, “Oh, I never thought of that.” Our lives are safe in his hands.
Couldn’t have said that better …Thanks Susan …
But this is another thought I have had … by the mere fact that He withdraws His hand does that make Him responsible … I’m thinking it does …
Deuteronomy 32 … in the song that God told Moses to teach the Iraelis because He told Moses that they would turn away from Him when they settled into the land flowing wih milk and honey…. this is what He says about Himself …
vs 39
‘See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me;
It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, and there is no one who can deliver from my hand…. NASB
Couldn’t have said that better …Thanks Susan …
But this is another thought I have had … by the mere fact that He withdraws His hand does that make Him responsible … I’m thinking it does …
Deuteronomy 32 … in the song that God told Moses to teach the Iraelis because He told Moses that they would turn away from Him when they settled into the land flowing wih milk and honey…. this is what He says about Himself …
vs 39
‘See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me;
It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, and there is no one who can deliver from my hand…. NASB
The Israelites seemed to think that God withdrawing His Hand made Him responsible, which is why we get these two different versions on the census that David took:
“Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel” 1 Chronicles 21:1 and “Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, ‘Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.'” 2 Samuel 24:1.
It seems that the Israelites didn’t distinguish between something coming from God’s hand and something coming when God withdraws His hand. Perhaps they didn’t think it necessary to distinguish because ultimately God is in control of all things.
However God does not initiate evil and I think this is the important point.
The Israelites seemed to think that God withdrawing His Hand made Him responsible, which is why we get these two different versions on the census that David took:
“Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel” 1 Chronicles 21:1 and “Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, ‘Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.'” 2 Samuel 24:1.
It seems that the Israelites didn’t distinguish between something coming from God’s hand and something coming when God withdraws His hand. Perhaps they didn’t think it necessary to distinguish because ultimately God is in control of all things.
However God does not initiate evil and I think this is the important point.
Just a few further thoughts:
I actually don’t think the Lord has changed his manner of dealing with us but I do think the way He reveals Himself has. I think before the Lord could reveal His great love and grace in the NT He had to reveal His holiness (and hatred of sin) in the OT.
The sin of taking a census was about David relying on his own resources, not God’s. So the punishment actually fits the ‘crime’ because now David’s army was reduced and persumably uncounted.
The killing of thousands is not seen as evil, I guess, because neither do we see punishment or discipline as evil (see also Hebrews 12).
Of course we would think, hey a lot of innocent people died, which raises another interesting point. Are any of us really innocent in the presence of a holy God?
Good point but He does admit to wounding and killing … could it be that he does not view death in the same manner as we do? Could it be that the Lord has changed his manner of dealing with us when He sent His son …
Not to incite anger here, I am searching myself but this is what followed …
To David after the census was taken …vs 11
‘This is what the LORD says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’ ”
So Gad went to David and said to him, “Shall there come upon you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me.”
David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.”
So the LORD sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people,
“Enough! Withdraw your hand.”
The killing off of thousands is not seen as evil to the Lord of Hosts … but just to satisfy His anger … I think that death did not mean the same to our OT father in heaven as it does to us.
That was one horrific correction of the Israeli nation.
Just a few further thoughts:
I actually don’t think the Lord has changed his manner of dealing with us but I do think the way He reveals Himself has. I think before the Lord could reveal His great love and grace in the NT He had to reveal His holiness (and hatred of sin) in the OT.
The sin of taking a census was about David relying on his own resources, not God’s. So the punishment actually fits the ‘crime’ because now David’s army was reduced and persumably uncounted.
The killing of thousands is not seen as evil, I guess, because neither do we see punishment or discipline as evil (see also Hebrews 12).
Of course we would think, hey a lot of innocent people died, which raises another interesting point. Are any of us really innocent in the presence of a holy God?
Good point but He does admit to wounding and killing … could it be that he does not view death in the same manner as we do? Could it be that the Lord has changed his manner of dealing with us when He sent His son …
Not to incite anger here, I am searching myself but this is what followed …
To David after the census was taken …vs 11
‘This is what the LORD says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’ ”
So Gad went to David and said to him, “Shall there come upon you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me.”
David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.”
So the LORD sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people,
“Enough! Withdraw your hand.”
The killing off of thousands is not seen as evil to the Lord of Hosts … but just to satisfy His anger … I think that death did not mean the same to our OT father in heaven as it does to us.
That was one horrific correction of the Israeli nation.
There are a few things in the OT that has raised my eyebrows and I have sat and wondered why because they appear to be devoid of the mercy and grace the Lord of the OT talks about as well …
Must be one of those seeing in a dark glass things that Paul talks about … 🙂
There are a few things in the OT that has raised my eyebrows and I have sat and wondered why because they appear to be devoid of the mercy and grace the Lord of the OT talks about as well …
Must be one of those seeing in a dark glass things that Paul talks about … 🙂