Amos 3:6 “If a calamity occurs in a city, has not the LORD done it?”Isa. 45:7 “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.”
Eccl. 7:14 “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.”
Lam. 3:37-38 “Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?”
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21 comments:
Amen.
When calamities occur, we need to acknowledge God is sovereign. He allows a sparrow to fall.
And we need to grieve as well, when we see clamity, even when it is a just cause.
If the Lord ever brings Osama Bin Laden to jsutice, and he hangs for his crime, we shouldn't rejoice, and yet we should be satisfied that justice was done.
Doesn't do much for "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" does it?
He does all things well, whether I think so or not.
I think these verses imply that God causes, rather than allows, a sparrow to fall.
"I think these verses imply that God causes, rather than allows, a sparrow to fall."
I agree it's strong words here. hough could we say that God caused the 9 11 calamity? For innocent people were killed.
He surely is sovereign over all, and He determines what shall happen, but how are we to declare God in the calamity?
Job surely dealt with the calamity in his life as it was from God, and well so. But when he friends came and said yes God did these things, and it's your fault Job, God said to them, "You spoke wrong about Me."
I'm trying to tread fearfully here and tremble at His Word.
"He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished." Prv. 17:5b
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. Job 2:9-10
I believe God ordains all that occurs. This does not mean he is the direct first cause, but rather he allowed it to happen. In some cases he overules the plans of men by intervention. He allowed most of 9/11 but quite possibly intervened to cause the one headed for Washington to crash.........
Is the word "allow" an appropriate term to use in connection with God's sovereign will? Just askin'.
Great thoughts everyone! I am really enjoying your interaction. As we read the texts again, we see that God says, I bring, I made, I do, I decreed these calamities.
calamities yes, but not the evil of man. If he caused evil by his intervention, then he would be the author of evil. When it comes to the evil of man, there is a difference between allow/ordain and cause.
I think it is important to remember that neither mans' evil or the calamities of nature will effect the gathering of all of God's elect. None will be lost for any reason.
There's solace knowing God is sovereign. And yet, when I think of a calamity and God decrees it, it's not comforting.
For instance, the calamity of abortion in the world.
Surely the Holy Writ declares God decrees it, and yet it's a henious sin that I know God hates.
I guess that's as far as my thinking takes me.
A side issue on God's involvement:
1Kings 22:19 ¶ Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.
1Kings 22:20 “The LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said this while another said that.
1Kings 22:21 “Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.’
1Kings 22:22 “The LORD said to him, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You are to entice him and also prevail. Go and do so.’
1Kings 22:23 “Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and the LORD has proclaimed disaster against you.”
Jonathan,
Give us some help here. Since I don't believe you think God is the author of evil, reconcile that passage for me please.
Jazzy, a few more passages to consider:
*The disciples prayer includes that our Father not lead us into temptation (Matt 6).
*James 1 states that God does not tempt anyone (1:13).
What are your thoughts?
Would we say that God is not the material cause of evil although he is the ultimate cause of all things.
That is, he didn't tempt Ahab but he did send a lying spirit to tempt him.
As Luther said (of Satan) "After all, he is God's devil"
The following passage I believe answers this: 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
A few more verses to add to this important topic:
"The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." - Job 1:21
"He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. " - Job 12:23
When our pastor touched briefly upon this subject a few weeks ago in Sunday School, he noted that God is the primary cause of all things, while Satan or man are secondary causes of things, yet bear responsibility for them (sins, disobedience, etc).
As examples, our pastor cited Joseph telling his brothers "You mean this for harm, but God meant it for good." (Gen. 45:5, 8)
He also cited David's taking a census from 2 Samuel 24:1-3 and 1 Chronicles 21:1-3. In the book of Samuel, the passages attribute David's actions to God, whereas in 1 Chronicles, the verses attribute the actions to Satan.
Here's the other side of God with calamity.
"And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart." Gen. 6:6
God is sovereign and He grieves and repents. Not as man, but nevertheless.
Rom. 5:20-21 provides a good insight into God's purpose in ordering the world as He has.
"And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Susan, those are more great texts. David's census is one that I totally forgot about, but is very interesting!
Jonathan,
Interesting indeed.
"Though He slay me, I will hope in Him." - Job 13:15a
As Jesus' disciples remarked to their Lord, to whom else shall we go?
I love the wisdom of Job 1:21 - that no matter the calamity "blessed be the name of the Lord."
I have long contended that if these verses and considerations are absent from your theology, you do not know the God of the Bible.
Good post, great reminders of His sovereign power and matchless mercy.
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