PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE YOU ANSWER . . .
This is from the Old Testament, Malachi 2: 2-3
God is going to punish the priests and their children . . .
“You must honour me by what you do. If you will not listen to what I say, then I will bring a curse on you. I will put a curse on the things you receive for your support. In fact, I have already put a curse on them, because you do not take my command seriously. I will punish your children and rub your faces in the dung of the animals you sacrifice – and you will be taken out to the dung heap.”
I know God is angry that the priests are not taking His commands seriously, but I don’t think threatening and punishing is the answer to the problem. I’m sorry but He sounds so evil and heartless talking about rubbing dung on their faces. And the fact that He wants to avenge them sounds so self-centered too.
2007-11-04 22:41:38 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If I’m wrong on any of this, please tell me. And I DON’T ACCEPT any blasphemy towards my question, because I’m serious about this and I would like an appropriate opinion/explanation. Thanks.
2007-11-04 22:41:54 · update #1
God sounds so self-centered in this passage?
first of all the jeudeo- Christian God is a JEALOUS God. he will not put up with those who contravene his will..... he makes the rules and if we don't follow them we will suffer the consequences. The rules are not up for interpretation they can not be rationalized against or ignored. You are either following the rules or not.... pretty darned black and white. we live in a culture labelled as "politically correct" where every thing is a shade of grey.... and it is hard for us having departed so far from our God to understand the need to obey. The idea that man is to have joy and what ever makes a man feel good is what is right is so far from gospel that it may be anti-gospel. God teaches us that we shall learn through adversity, and by suffering the consequences for choosing wrong. Being blessed and retaining freedom of choice through doing right. to "GODS PEOPLE" happiness is following commandments, keeping freedom of choice, fulfilling our purpose and avoiding the natural consequences of sin.
the priests have the added responsibility of leading by example and are there fore under the added burden of doing what’s right all the time... and if the sin or choose wrong they will not be leading for very much longer. God will not let a sinner continue to lead as the will have lost the guidance of God... look at David and Bathsheba....he led the people as king but no longer as a "MAN OF GOD" (leader). if people are led away from doing right it becomes very hard to again persuade them to do good. it takes generations usually 3 or 4 to get back to total obedience... thus if you sin and do no repent you are by example leading 3 generations away from god.... a quote that I find useful here comes from Homer: The Odyssey Book I "How surprising that men blame the gods, and say their troubles come from us, though they, through their own un-wisdom, find suffering beyond what is fated...."
is God a jealous self centered god....Yes, he is the alpha and omega...we came from his hands and we shall return to him to be rewarded by him or eternally punished (natural consequences of unrepentant sin)
As a parent I have all authority to punish my children or reward them. I may take away privileges or give them. Am I a self centered parent to my children? Yes. I have a plan for my family and I will not tolerate back talk arguing or disrespect for the family rules. my children do not live in a democracy but a benevolent dictatorship. My word and that of my wife’s is law to them. Any thing less the family suffers a break down and nobody’s happy and nothing is accomplished. I believe it is the same with Gods family...
It may not be for you (christianity)or others out there in answers land but that is my religion and you must respect that. If you don't like that way of thinking, acting, and being... find another religion / culture... don't try to dilute mine...
2007-11-05 17:40:40 · answer #1 · answered by Firemedic 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God deals with us in accordance to the light that has been given us. The priest were the most closest to God since they worked so close to him. Where much is given much is required. The punishments that God gives to people is to help other peope not to go the same way especially when they are leaders, that is why God is a God of love.He punishes, so that everyone won't be led astray by the weakness of leaders.
2007-11-04 23:06:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read about David and Bethsheba in II Samuel 11. David was loved dearly by God but he committed these terrible sins...KNOWING what he was doing. God judges David fairly because God is just. Now read II Samuel 12:10-12. Quite a punishment, eh? But then, David is honored because he is so loved by God. The Savior of the world (the One who paid our fine for all WE have done) was born out of the lineage of David. It is amazing how blessed someone who was so evil can be, isn't it?
2007-11-04 22:54:10 · answer #3 · answered by cindyunion 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible was writen in an age, in which people had little control over their lives, and little knowledge about the world arround them. There was little technology, and little science back then. So when things went wrong, which happened quite often, they would see it as the action of an angry God. So in their eyes, God was always punishing them for not honoring him enough or listening to him.
2007-11-04 23:03:52 · answer #4 · answered by astrogoodwin 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Do you realize violent ancient peoples expected a kick-a*s*s God? So, that's what they got, a God they could relate to. If he were gentle, like the more modern Jesus, they would have thought he was a sissy. And, if he had showed up in person, he would have died even sooner than Jesus because they likely would have killed him for sport.
We cannot ridiculously apply to or expect from these barbaric ancient peoples modern standards of civility.
2007-11-04 22:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by jaicee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From the beginning mankind has been rebellious against God. God has given us life, health, food, peace, love and we spit in God's face everyday. Adam had only one thing not to do-Just one thing-"Don't Eat From That One Tree" and he couldn't even do that.
Mankind can't stop stealing, murdering, raping, hating day after day, generation after generation. Honestly I don't know how God has kept his kool for so long.
How can we being so evil stand in judgment of the one who's given us everything?
2007-11-05 00:12:34 · answer #6 · answered by Owl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bible says it's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry god. Then there is a turn around with phrase, fear not, and then the best one, the fearful and unbelieving shall be cast into the lake of fire, or the equivalent. It looks like sometimes it's damn if you do and damn if you don't????? My dad and I were not very close, but I'm surely glad I had him as a dad instead of that god.
2007-11-04 23:13:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Think about this...
God is God.
Can a clay ask the potter, what are You doing?
Whether you like it or not, we are but dust. If any man thinks he is somebody, the more he will get himself hurt. A person can die for his foolishness.
Are we but foolish when we question the authority of God to punish and keep on rebelling to his Authority over us, instead of submitting ourselves, for He is God, who gave life to every man and He is the God who takes note of whatever man does and gives to every man what His conduct deserves.
If man is good then He will reward them with abundance of good.
If man is full of wickedness then God will avenge those whom he oppressed and avenge them with interest.
2007-11-04 23:18:54 · answer #8 · answered by Philadelphia 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
have you read the story of jephtha's daughter (judges:11)?
god could be way nastier than that.
2007-11-05 06:45:54 · answer #9 · answered by synopsis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What a good god.
2007-11-04 22:48:58 · answer #10 · answered by Seán 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋