Bible Question:
Doc, I'm not Mitch but I am curious to know the instances of God sending physical maladies you speak of. I might know what you are referring to but I'm not sure. Theresa |
Bible Answer: Hi, Theresa... There are lots of instances where God sent disease or death (and no doubt He will continue to do so until the end): on Pharaoh (Gen 12:17), on all Egypt (Exo 9:14), on all the Egyptian firstborn (Exo 12:29), on Israel (as a promise in Deu 28:59), on the Israelites (Num 11:33), the Philistines (1 Sam 5:9), on the men of Bethshemesh (1 Sam 6:19), on Nabal (1 Sam 25:38), on Bathsheba's baby (2 Sam 12:15), on Uzzah (2 Sam 6:7), on Naaman (2 Kings 5), on Elisha's servant (2 Kings 5:27), on Assyrians (2 Kings 19:35), on Jeroboam (2 Chron 13:20), on Jehoahaz (2 Chron 21:18), on Uzziah (2 Sam 6), on Jerusalem (Jer 19:8), on Ananias and Sapphira (Act 5), on Paul (Act 9 and 2 Cor 12:7), on Herod (Acts 12:23), on Elymas (Acts 13:11), etc. etc. The problem is that we tend to be man focused instead of God focused. God is working out His eternal purpose to His own glory. True, He is glorified by blessing men. However, sometimes people glorify God in suffering (Rom 8:17, Phi 1:29, 3:10, Heb 13:3, James 5:10, 1 Peter 2:21, 3:14, 4:13-19, etc.). Of course, we don't like to think about that. We'd rather imagine that God saved us to make our lives comfortable and easy. Sorry... have to get back to a paper due tomorrow. In Him, Doc |