Can someone help me rationalize God being good?

Question

God is good, so him smiting the firstborn sons of Egypt was good.

Smiting the firstborn sons of Egypt was good, so God must be good.

I just can't wrap my head around it.

Thanks.

Answer 1

There is no way to rationalize that.
And this is quite different than a parent spanking a child that has done something wrong. Egypts firstborn were killed because of the Pharoah (in other words, all those other families were punished because of what their leader did). There is no way to say that was good. Impossible to say it was Just or Merciful or Loving. It was downright cold-hearted.
I am amazed at the people who try to justify these things by trying to say this God is "Good". He must have a different definition of Good than everyone else and should have sent down a dictionary to give us these definitions.

Answer 2

your attempt to rationalize this is doomed to fail since one of your premises are not really appropriate for rational inquiry. There is no rational proof that "smiting the firstborn sons of egypt was good" or even that God was responsible.

the rationality (or rather irrationality) of the goodness of god has been taken up for ages-- its study can be called "theodicy". Because god is all powerful, and because bad things happen (not just to the sons of egypt but to good and kind people too), there can be no rational explanation.

god may be good-- or god may not be. but the answer to the question is not answerable by logic.

Answer 3

No - God smiting the firstborn of Egypt was just - not good. So was the great flood, destroying Sodom - just. Just like our own lives, perfect love for another involves just and wisdom to discern the shortcomings.

Getting to heaven, if you believe as such, requires judgment by God on your life, followed by a 2nd judgement to determine eternal rewards.

Answer 4

This question is a good one that really cannot be answered in a few words.Remember, that the first born would not have been killed had they chosen to obey God's spokesman who he sent to them. We all reap what we sow. God did what he had to do to convince a very hard hearted leader to release his people. This served to show his power and authority and to continue a plan that opened the way up for all humans to gain everlasting life.God is merciful and kind but he balances this with justice. The sins of the fathers effect the sons. We are responsible for teaching our children what the creator of the Universe wants from us. We must each first ask him what that is.

Answer 5

Comments like those from 'Warren C' and 'zachary c' just make me shake my head in bewilderment. They seem to be agreeing that believing in the existence of a god doesn't make sense, but saying that we should believe it anyway and stop thinking. This is so sad... such an insult to the human intellect.

To answer your question, yes of course believers will always come up with rationalisations for why the universe is the way it is, despite there supposedly being a good god 'up there'. None of them stand up to a moment's scrutiny though.

Answer 6

I know a lot of people look at the bad things that happen (war, death, didease) and wonder HOW can God allow this to happen?
Such as "why didn't he save all the people on 9/11?"
I think it is because God doesn't see death the way we humans do. To us it is an ending. Kind of like walking thru a door when you don't know whats on the other side. But God knows what awaits us on the other side, so he sees death as a beginning of
a much better existence than we have hear on Earth. At least thats my opinion:)

Answer 7

It was good because God warned the Egyptians, and they already had seen 9 other plagues. They could have been saved by applying the blood to their posts just as the Hebrews did.

I do not believe that Innocent children were sent to Hell, all who died in the plague will be judged on what they knew and did, just like everybody through out history will be judged, only God know who will be saved and who will be lost.

Answer 8

If God didn't maintain justice (ie. not punishing those who do wrong), he'd be a wimpy God with no power to judge others. If he has not the capacity to judge, then he would not have the capacity to forgive. Without forgiveness, he wouldn't be a good God. Sin cannot go unpunished, so in steps Jesus. Jesus allowed God to maintain his justice and prove that he is all loving in one fell swoop.

This is how you can know that God is good. Rather than just looking at God's vindication, look at why he vindicates, and understand that because he is just, he can be loving

Answer 9

It appears from your question that you are starting too far back in the scriptures and coming up with your own circular reason for disproving God's goodness. First off, your statement "help me rationalize God being good" provides a clue that your motivation is negative. Start off with wanting to prove God's goodness, not disprove it. Begin by reading the first book of Genesis. The Bible is written word. The written word is all we know because none of us was there in the beginning. Genesis I:1 says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth". After God created, He always said it was good. God then created man and woman and told them to be in charge of the earth. God gave man choices and man decided right away he could "rationalize" for himself better than just following the instructions of God. Thereafter man has made some decisions on his own that are not good. God created nature. Nature was good. God told man he is in charge of Earth. Man messes up the order of things God created and is disobedient. Man is not always good but God is Good. Read whole chapters of the Bible and the whole book, not just little bits for guidance. Look to God for guidance. Look inside yourself for the answers. God doesn't provide answers just for the asking but always suggests, "Let he who has ears, hear what has been said" [ears or eyes...hear with your heart].

Answer 10

Well as with all Supreme Being. He (GOD) The father of Jesus.
Being the one whom created all things. He has the right To do and say what he please with his children. and above all knowing what is best for us.
As to killing pharoh son. He did did so to make Pharoh see that there is no one greater than he (GOD).Pharoh was a stubborn man. and did not want to let the jews go. No matter what GOD had said. Or whom he sent in this case being (MOSES). Understand that Pharoh Of egyptian origin. Believed in his GODS and His GODs alone. that they may Save him from his Tyranny. However he noticed that Moses God. was THE true and great God of all humans on this planet. It was Pharohs OWN stubborness that killed his son.
EXample.
we have our children that we have created and that women gives birth to. As parent we know what is best for our children.Our children at time become Reluctant,Stubborn and do not want to take heed to our warning or advice. Hence thing do happen to them when they choose to do so. same with GOD. he has warned us of thing that will happne to all mankind if we continue our selfish eratic ways. look at the world today and think. All the problem in this world are cuased beacuse of selfishness and stubborness.
I hope this Helped. you can email me at [e-mail]
if you need to talk.. or at aol. Zolveriap is my ID