Does God Command Human sacrifice?

About God, All Questions

Does God command human sacrifice?

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God,   All Questions

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Jan 11, 2025

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In Genesis chapter 22, we come across this overwhelming passage where God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his long-awaited and promised son, Isaac.

This narrative appalls many people leaving them to question the nature of a God who would issue such a command.

Aside from that, Abraham is regarded as the father of all three major faiths in the world (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity). Having said that, only the Christian faith can provide the right reason and motive behind God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son.

As you read this biblical account, you will notice that Abraham does not even question God. Instead, he sets out in faithful obedience to sacrifice his only son Isaac.

Abraham’s unwavering obedience, to sacrifice Isaac without question, can be startling to modern sensibilities. Yet, we must approach this ancient narrative with an understanding of its cultural context. Abraham, originating from a region where child sacrifice was a common act of devotion, might have perceived this as a test of ultimate faithfulness.

Nevertheless, just as he was about to slay his son, God interrupted him (as if to say I am different than the other Gods) and provided him with a substitute sacrifice.

However, the crux of this story is not in the act itself but in its interruption. As Abraham raises his knife, God intervenes, providing a ram as a substitute (Genesis 22:13-14). This moment is pivotal: it highlights a God who contrasts starkly with the deities of the surrounding cultures, a God who ultimately provides for a sacrifice by giving His own son.

This event foreshadows a greater act of divine provision. Two thousand years ago, God fulfilled this very promise by taking His own begotten son up Mount Calvary (the crucifixion), and this time the axe did not stop and God unleashed the wrath intended for our sins on Jesus so that we could live.

God does not command human sacrifice but instead provided the ultimate sacrifice for us and by believing in it and repenting of our sins we are granted everlasting life.

This leads us to ponder a profound another theological question: does God have the right to command life and death?

The scriptures clearly teach that we all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 3:23 & 6:23). But the fact that we are alive is a testament to God’s mercy, allowing us to take another breath despite the just punishment we deserve.

Therefore, if God commands the death of anyone, it would be within the framework of His righteousness, holiness, and justice. But God shows His mercy and patience by giving us common grace in that we are not punished the moment we deserve it.

God does not command human sacrifice but instead provided the ultimate sacrifice for us and by believing in it and repenting of our sins we are granted everlasting life.

Can God get jealous?

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How can God get jealous?

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God,   All Questions

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Jan 11, 2025

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The Bible intriguingly describes God as a jealous God, even stating in Exodus 34:14 that one of His names is “Jealous.” This raises an important question: if jealousy is often seen as a negative trait, and if God is holy, how can He be jealous?

Exodus 34:14 (NKJV)

for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God,

Before we draw any conclusions, we first need to note that even God’s jealousy is perfect (just as everything else about Him). Human jealousy can be destructive and self-centered, but God’s jealousy is fundamentally different. It emanates from His perfect, loving nature and His position as our Creator and Father.

In the context of a perfect God, jealousy is not about insecurity or possessiveness but about righteous zeal for His creation’s loyalty and love. His jealousy is appropriate and justified in relation to His protective role and His desire for exclusive devotion from His creation. God’s divine jealousy is a reflection of His care and commitment to His people. God’s jealousy is justified when He defends His word and guards His high honor as the only sovereign Lord.

The verses about God’s jealousy were all made in the context of idolatry, where people’s unfaithfulness provoked a just and holy response from God, who is jealous for His people’s love and devotion.

When God is jealous for us, He makes a strong, exclusive demand from us that we must treat only Him and no one else in all the universe as God.

It’s also important to understand that not all forms of jealousy are inherently negative. For instance, a spouse’s desire for faithfulness is a form of righteous jealousy. Similarly, God’s jealousy is about concerning His rightful place in the lives of His people.

Therefore, when the Bible describes God as jealous, it is primarily for His own glory. God always seeks to protect His honor and glory, and He will not share His praise with man-made idols.

Furthermore, God’s jealousy is different from our self-centered love and is integrally connected to His redemptive purposes. His passionate desire for our devotion led to the ultimate act of self-sacrifice: sending Jesus Christ to die for our sins. This act was not a result of petty jealousy but a profound expression of divine love, inviting us into a relationship with Him. God’s jealousy over us is an honor worthy of our highest gratitude.

In conclusion, understanding God’s jealousy as described in the Bible is crucial to appreciating His divine character. Unlike human jealousy, which can be self-centered and destructive, God’s jealousy is born out of His perfect love and desire for our ultimate good.

His jealousy is a protective zeal, ensuring that we, His creation, recognize and honor Him as the one true God. This divine jealousy led to the greatest act of love in history: the coming of Christ into the world to die for our sins, inviting us into true worship in spirit and truth. Recognizing God’s jealousy helps us see His heart’s desire for our well-being and eternal joy. Far from being a negative trait, God’s jealousy is a profound expression of His love for us and is indeed an honor that calls for our deepest gratitude and commitment.

WHEN GOD IS JEALOUS FOR US, HE MAKES A STRONG, EXCLUSIVE DEMAND ON US THAT WE MUST TREAT ONLY THE LORD AND NO ONE ELSE IN ALL THE UNIVERSE AS GOD.

Does God not care about the millions of starving children in the world?

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Does God not care about the millions of starving children in the world?

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Jan 11, 2025

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The problem of hunger is real in our world today, and many children suffer from malnutrition. It’s a common accusation that God, if He exists and cares, seems indifferent to this suffering. However, this perspective overlooks key truths.

Yes, the Bible teaches us that God is love, and Jesus Himself taught us that children are essential to God (Matthew 18:10). This divine love is not just a passive feeling but is actively demonstrated throughout the Bible, where God consistently seeks the wellbeing of His creation, especially the most vulnerable.

Yet, the reality of child hunger presents a stark contradiction that challenges our understanding of God’s nature.

So what went wrong? Why is there a contradiction between God’s love for children and the fact that there is a real-world problem?

According to global statistics, the issue of hunger is not due to a lack of food. In fact, relief organizations and government agencies report that there is enough food produced worldwide to feed every person.

The problem is not the availability of food, but rather the accessibility to food. The fault does not lie with God, as there is enough food for everyone, but with man’s corrupt nature. Societal issues such as unfair food distribution, economic inequalities, and political strife play significant roles in this accessibility problem.

God has appointed us as trustworthy stewards of the world’s resources. Yet, as individuals, we often accumulate food or mismanage resources instead of seeing that others are fed or provided for. Our role as stewards involves not only responsible management of resources but also active efforts to ensure justice and provision for all, especially the impoverished and hungry.

God is not responsible for man’s foolishness, nor is He accountable for selfishness, greed, pride, hatred, hoarding, cruelty, spite, or any other sin that contributes to world hunger. These human failings, stemming from sin, are the primary barriers to eradicating world hunger and are contrary to God’s design for human society.

The scriptures also rightly emphasis that there is no unrighteousness in God:

Psalm 92:15 (NKJV)

To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

This affirmation of God’s righteousness calls us, as His followers, to reflect His character in our actions and decisions, particularly in how we address the needs of the hungry and suffering.

The fact that God cares for the children is also proven by the fact that He sent His only Son to redeem us from the curse of sin. And He goes further by prompting the followers of Christ to help relieve world hunger. Globally, Christian missionaries and agencies provide for the basic needs of hungry children, acting as God’s hands and feet;

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

This scripture not only affirms our identity in Christ but also our calling to engage in good works, such as feeding the hungry and supporting those in need.

As Christians, we should not shy away from the issue of world hunger. Instead, we should rise to the challenge, using our resources, influence, and efforts to make a difference in the lives of those who suffer from hunger. In doing so, we become a living testament to the love and compassion of Christ, offering hope and practical help in a fallen world.

GOD HAS APPOINTED US AS TRUSTWORTHY STEWARDS OF THE WORLD’S RESOURCES

Did God create us because He was lonely?

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Did God create us because He was lonely?

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God,   All Questions

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Jan 11, 2025

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Most people in trying to reason why God would have created humanity often conclude by stating that God must have been lonely therefore would have created people in His image to have a relationship with them.

The problem with this kind of reasoning is that it implies something lacking in God. However, if He is a perfect self-sufficient being, how can there be any lack in Him?

So was God lonely? To answer this, we first need to establish that God did not need us. If God never created us, it would not lessen Him.

Why do we say that? Christians believe God is triune, that is, one God manifested in three distinct persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All three persons eternally existed within the God-head before creation, so we can conclude that within the Trinity, there was already a perfect loving and harmonious relationship.

God did not need to create a group of rebellious, stubborn people to feel better about Himself. Instead, He created us to invite us into that which was already established within the Trinity.

God now calls for you and me to be part of His kingdom, and He extends this invitation to us through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV)

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Furthermore, God is love, and love by virtue does not focus on itself, but on others. Consequently with this in mind we can conclude that God populated the earth with people for whom He could express the greatest act of love: self-sacrifice. It was through Jesus that we were given the greatest gift in the universe: fellowship with Him.

In summary, the Bible does not depict a God who created humanity out of loneliness. Instead, it reveals a God who, out of the abundance of His love and self-sufficiency, sought to share the joy and fellowship of the Trinity with us. Our existence is a gracious invitation to experience the profound love of our Creator.

IF GOD HAD NEVER CREATED US, IT WOULD NOT LESSEN HIM AT ALL

Is God of the Old and New Testament the same.

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Is the God of the Old Testament and New Testament the same?

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Jan 11, 2025

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Some people mistakenly believe that the God of the New Testament (NT) differs from the God of the Old Testament (OT).

They see the God of the OT as unpredictable, moody, and hot-tempered, while they see the God of the NT as a judge-free, grace-giving father who spoils his children.

So does the Bible present us with two conflicting Gods? The good God of the NT and to use the words of a prominent atheist author Richard Dawkins – “a moral monster and bully” of the OT.

No. The Bible presents one God, and it becomes clear through progressive revelation in the Bible that God is both ‘gracious’ and ‘just.’ Both the OT and NT depict these qualities.

While it is true that God’s grace is clearly shown in the New Testament, culminating at the cross of Jesus Christ, it does not mean that the God of the Old Testament did not demonstrate grace.

From the very beginning, in the book of Genesis, God’s grace is evident in the Garden of Eden; after Adam and Eve’s collapse to sin, God still pursues them with grace instead of wiping them out.

A similar theme runs throughout the Old Testament. God graciously tolerates Israel despite their repeated rebellion as well as other nations, such as Sodom and Gomorrah, where He was willing to spare the city for 10 righteous people’s sake.

Now just as God’s grace is seen in the OT, His justice is evident in the NT as well.

For instance, Jesus clearing the temple in John 2 or the hardening of Jewish hearts in Romans 11, not to mention the book Revelation describing God’s final justice and judgment during the end times.

In conclusion, the Bible does not portray a dual-headed God, but it unveils to us the totality of God’s whole nature. God is both just and full of grace.

THE BIBLE DOES NOT PORTRAY A DUAL-HEADED GOD, BUT UNVEILS TO US THE TOTALITY OF GODS' WHOLE NATURE.

Is God the author of evil?

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Is God the author of evil?

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God,   All Questions

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Jan 11, 2025

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According to the Bible, God created everything and is morally perfect. If this is true, how could evil exist?

Now, there is an indirect sense in which God (being sovereign over His creation) is the “author” or “cause” of moral evil and sin by creating moral beings with free choices.

However, we must be careful in defining the word “author.” When we say that God is the “author” of sin, we mean He is the ultimate cause of sin but not guilty of sin.

Ultimately, it is the free-created beings who commit the sin who are at fault. So we could say that God made evil possible by creating moral creatures with free will who are ultimately responsible for moral evil.

God only permits evil but does not promote it and ultimately produces a greater good through it. Which is evident throughout the sacred scriptures through the many failings of men.

Evil exists (though for a limited time) to demonstrate God’s mercy and grace.

Although evil may seem overwhelming, we can take courage knowing that God will work things out for the glory of His name and that all things He sovereignly permits are for a reason.

Genesis 50:20 (NKJV)

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

GOD MADE EVIL POSSIBLE BY CREATING FREE CREATURES, BUT THE FREE CREATURES MADE EVIL ACTUAL.

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