But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. He uses believers and unbelievers. 28 who says of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, saying of Jerusalem, She shall be built,, and of the temple, Your foundation shall be laid. . Why did a holy God allow such evil to continue? We should never presume to say to an unbeliever, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. We cant know that. But what they do is not going to bring them true blessing. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. WebWhat if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12: 3). We might make Jim Collins proud, but God yawns at our leadership abilities. As far as Pilate was concerned, he was ordering an innocent man put to deathwhich is why he tried to wash his hands of the whole affair. Were they to voluntarily all drown? In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. God was revealing that He was going to use this ungodly power for judgment upon his own straying people. He sent His son to pay a most costly price for the sin of His people, for those who trust in Him. WebGod also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. And how will they hear without a preacher? Why? His story is unique in that he claims to be a Christian even though he has chosen a way of life that God calls an abomination. 5:14). Now relax your hand! And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Before the Apostle Paul wrote his letter he was known as Saul. God is not finished with you yet, so dont give up on him. They thank me for posting my sermons on the internet. They sweep through like the strong winds from the East gathering up captives that number like the grains of sand. The very first verse my daughter ever memorized was Isaiah 40:8, The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. It seemed like an odd one to begin with, but now in retrospect it might have been the best one. Jesus is truly the lamb without blemish who died for the sins of the world (John 1:29). I think we can learn some great lessons by answering these questions. Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness. It even included the price Judas would receive for his act of treachery30 pieces of silver. Strategically, this appeared to be a very unwise move, unless you are God. Judas didnt know it, and neither did the disciples, but Gods fingerprints were all over his act of betrayal. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask We see this all the way through the Bible. Our prayers aline us with Gods eternal decree. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. 28:25, The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. This warning was made clear in the ancient covenant revealed long before through Moses in Deuteronomy 28. God could have had the earth swallow up the Amalekites. Gods sign of judgment was that they would hear foreign language on the streets of Jerusalem, speaking in a language they did not understand. Does God Accomplish His Purpose in Our God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. When Judas kissed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter impulsively grabbed his sword and started swinging. Until finally it came to the Red Sea where the Egyptian army was destroyed and the tale spread across the world to the glory of God. They were in an impossible situation with no way out. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. 14:16, God, who is all powerful and infinitely sovereign, tells Moses, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. Why didnt God just part the Red Sea? Including those who dont believe He exists. He has many means to accomplish that holy purposeincluding some that are difficult to understand. The mind of evil changes from bad to worse being taken in by successes in conquest. Solomon was DaVinci, Einstein, Bach, Jordan, Augustus, and Shakespeare rolled into one superior man. When God does something completely different and unexpected (Numb. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. I dont have any letters after my name. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? The greater the pain, the harder it is to see Gods fingerprints. God is unimpressed. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Though used of God to complete his plan, those who crucified our Lord were still personally wicked and godless in what they did. Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? There he said in 1 Corinthians 14:21, With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me, says the Lord. He directly quoted the covenant warning of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Deuteronomy. He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. The Lord said to Moses, How long will this people spurn Me? WebThe Scripture teaches that God achieves His purpose in unbelievers. They had fast horses and were more fierce (more alert, fierce, and sharp) than the hungry wolves that come out to hunt in the evening. Two questions stand out: 1) Did Jesus actually descend into hell? God wanted the people of Israel to look to Moses as their God appointed human leader and deliverer. Because they did not believe in GodAnd did not trust in His salvation. If youd like an interesting Bible study, take a look at the trials of Jesus. He uses believers and unbelievers. They had no weapons to fight Pharaohs army, no experience in war, no ability to defend themselves, and no way of escape. Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. Literal Standard Version. I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. Why does God allow deception 2) If Jesus did descend into hell, why? How can I believe in the goodness of God when there is so much evil in the world? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? Second, the proper response to any trial or danger is to not fear but stand by and see the salvation of the Lord. How many times do we fret and worry and then see the Lord deliver us and realize that all of our anxiety and fretting was for naught, that it accomplished nothing, but was an expression of our sinful doubt? Nothing that happened to Jesus that night or later on Good Friday made sense when it happened. Even Jesus cannot save a man who claims his sin is not really sinful. They live as if there was no Creator, no moral law, no accountability. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. Holman Old Testament Commentary: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah by Trent Butler. God Uses Many People to Accomplish His Purposes New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say. One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it. God ordains the means and the ends of life. Lesson 7 The Interpretation of Scripture, Lesson 5a Boundaries of the Doctrine of Creation, Primeval Chronology by Dr. William Henry Green, Lesson 8 Gods Special Providence & Miracles, Lesson 10 Assurance of Grace and Salvation, Lesson 2 Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience, Lesson 3 The Regulative Principle of Worship, Lesson 4a The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 4b The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 1 An Overview of Special Eschatology, Lesson 2 -The Great Tribulation of Matthew 24, Lesson 3 The Millennium of Revelation 20, A Guide for Small Group Bible Study Leaders, Defending the Biblical Faith by what God Shows Us, Lessons in the Westminster Shorter Catechsim, The Inspiration of the Treasured Word of God, Summary of the 45th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, The Holy Spirit In the Ministry of the Word, The Necessity of Biblical Love in the Believers Life, Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (part 2), Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (Part 1). Jump to Previous He fought against God and hoped to destroy the early church. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. When God desires to save someone, He raises up Christians to preach the gospel. As they plotted how to murder Jesus they had no idea they were accomplishing Gods will. The unbelievers, become confused, not remembering ever having the opportunity to serve Jesus. The evil ones believe pridefully that their own imagined gods have blessed them. 46:10). Be encouraged Christian, God intends to use you in all your multifaceted weakness and obscurity for his glory. Covenant judgment was about to be poured out upon Israel. Though Israel was many, only the remnant will be saved (Romans 9:27). It is a warning to Israel that if they should break Gods covenant, calamity will come upon them revealing the wrath of the offended God. 2:11). Its okay to be a nobody, if in all you do, you serve Somebody. We are here and gone again. The unbeliever has made an exchangethe truth for a lieand the devil is happy to facilitate the swap by presenting the sinner with a wide array of lies from which to choose. Here are some examples: And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. Suggestions? More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! The fact that we cant conceive of free choice coexisting with Gods predestination simply reminds us once again that he is God and we are not. God even gave prophecy through Isaiah that this very thing would take place. God wants to use those who look away from their self-sufficiency to his all-sufficiency. God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. 1:21). A prophecy we can imagine would have seemed quite improbable to those who heard. He has not brought us this far to cause us to fail. They scoff at kings, And princes are scorned by them. Judas solved their problem by volunteering to betray the Lord. In spite of all this they still sinnedAnd did not believe in His wonderful works. Showing us that our God can and will use anyone even though they dont know Him. The Israelites and the church did face some tough times and we may too. 10:14-15). 13:17). Questions? Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). We see this clearly in the life of Christ. The new king was deposed after three months. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. Recent events may not have gone how you hoped and the signs may seem bleak. We see this all the way through the Bible. Why does God allow deception How will they preach unless they are sent? Literal Standard Version. Even those who have a very low view of Gods sovereignty, if they pray, pray because God is perfectly sovereign, otherwise prayer would be an exercise in futility. And He *said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. It was a period of apostasy and violence. God use non-believers to help His people Those who turn in humble trust to the Lord, who rest in His work of redemption, who seek to walk in his ways, and who turn in humble repentance when they fail, will receive His righteousness, and blessing forever. We know from the sowing and reaping principle that t here will be degrees of torment in the lake of fire. Even those who dont believe and even speak against. Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, We see, your sin remains. Thats where the judgment will come from. In spite of all this they still sinned And did not believe in His wonderful works. The total number of prophecies is well over 100. Did Jesus Descend Into Hell? He used sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. (see Matthew 27:5). God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. They heap judgment on themselves. Peter told the early Christians that the Scripture had to be fulfilled. He meant that the betrayal had to happen the way it did. God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. Bible Hub His silence spoke more loudly than the foolish claims of his lying accusers. He recognized what was evil because he believed Gods law. God Uses I am sure God has many reasons for doing the things He does in the way and timing of His choosing, but lets consider some likely reasons He used Moses, a sinner, to be the instrument of His sovereign, miraculous work of dividing the Red Sea. A) We bow in submission before the mysterious ways of God. I find it remarkable how consistently the New Testament writers see the hand of God in the events surrounding the death of Christ. Why does God allow deception Do not begrudge your weakness. What Jesus Wants Emphasized In His Church! If not, we have reason to question whether our faith is real. I sit on no boards. God You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. When you find yourself in a tight spot and you cant see any way of deliverance, have faith in God, obey His Word, and wait for the salvation of the Lord. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. ", Writing & Teaching Inductive Bible Studies. The unbeliever has made an exchangethe truth for a lieand the devil is happy to facilitate the swap by presenting the sinner with a wide array of lies from which to choose. In the eyes of the Jews, Saul would be seen as a warrior of the faith. I am the trustee of nothing more than my personal belongings. Everything fits into Gods plan. your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me. Moses was a by-product of the Egyptians attempts to hinder Gods blessing upon them, was placed in pitch covered basket and set adrift in the Nile, but rescued, weened by his own mother, adopted into Pharaohs house, and educated in all the learning of Egypt (Acts 7:22). You are going to need it as we search the Scriptures to answer these two questions. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). He does this for obvious reasons. I also answer yes. Do not lament your insufficiency. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Going to church wont make you a Christian any more than sleeping in a garage makes you a caror going to a donut shop makes you a cop.