God told the Israelites many times in the bible that they were his people. He even commanded them to destroy the nearby nations. Is god somewhat racist?
2007-10-20 14:08:40 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If we think of God the same way we think of one of our human friends, then yes, he is a terrible person.
However, IF we think of God as He who defines what is good and what is bad, AND if we believe that God is the Creator, THEN we cannot hold him to human standards and be honest intellectually.
People who believe strongly in the God of The Hebrew Scriptures will likely disagree with you.
People who do not believe strongly in the God of The Hebrew Scriptures will agree with you.
However, both can stumble over a question like this and miss the message of God's love for us even when we didn't deserve it.
That's probably the best place to start an intellectual discussion regarding your question:
What makes us think that we know what God is supposed to be like, and what makes us think we know what we deserve to get from God?
Thanks for asking.
2007-10-20 14:29:04 · answer #1 · answered by gordios_thomas_icxc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Israelites included ALL the 12 tribes.
Judah is just one of the tribes of Israel.
The other 11 tribes were scattered all over the earth.
He told the Israelites to destroy the nearby nations as they were practicing many evil things including child sacrifice to idols and He did not want the Israelites to mix with them in marriage.
God is fair and just.
2007-10-20 14:19:23 · answer #2 · answered by good day 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God knows all things even from the begaining, & He knows what will destroy man completely. That is why He intervenes by destroying those that would cause this to happen. If a body developes cancer wouldn't you want to destroy all the cancer so that the body would be saved? Than why do you castigate God for destroying that which would do away with all man. We are the body of Christ, & the Isrealites are who He used to introduce the law to man & Jesus to the world. All I can say is thank God for His perfect plan of salvation. Amen!
2007-10-20 14:28:47 · answer #3 · answered by GREGORIOUSITY 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Israel is Gods chosen nation. But He does not discriminate, He is God and He chooses whom He pleases. Go read the book of Jonah and see what happened to Ninaveh a gentile nation. They were spared because of God's grace. God is loving, but not at the exclusion of His justice. If people continue in sin and hope to be good enough to get into heaven they will go to hell. But whoever repents of thier sin and puts thier faith in Jesus Christ will be saved.
2007-10-20 14:24:32 · answer #4 · answered by Joey K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. He is a holy God. His rules/laws were explicit for his chosen people to keep them holy and sanctified. The gentiles or non-Israelites were pagans that worshiped false gods. God knows what he is doing.
2007-10-20 14:13:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Romans 11:11I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Romans 11:12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
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2007-10-20 14:24:21 · answer #6 · answered by Hogie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God knew the MESSIAH was coming out of Israel and protected that genetic line, because it was destined to save all mankind, including me.
2007-10-20 14:17:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
GOD loves man. We are incapable of understanding GODs reasoning.
2007-10-20 14:19:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
God created all men of all ethnic groups. He does not have it in Him to discriminate like we humans do.
2007-10-20 14:18:04 · answer #9 · answered by Chokolates4u 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No God loves Everybody...even the sinners who don't love Him!!
2007-10-20 14:12:17 · answer #10 · answered by i_am_thankful_919 1 · 3⤊ 2⤋