In response to the question I left you with yesterday....’No - God did NOT create this beautiful world, which He said was ‘good’ (Gen. 1)..capping it off with ‘creating man in His image and likeness’ (Gen. 1:26-28) ....only to release His fury of wrath and anger, death and destruction on His creation. That wasn’t even on His radar. And prior to sin, (which resulted in the ‘fall of man’)... we read of no sickness and disease or even death that existed on the earth. There’s a reason we refer to the Garden of Eden as ‘paradise’.

But living in this place of wonderment where fellowship with God was ongoing and every need was fully met...it came with only one condition. You know the story of the two trees, and what would happen if man ate from that one tree (Gen. 2:17)

Then... man ate from that one tree (Gen. 3:6-13) and the world changed forever. (Rom. 5:12)

But God. But God was not to be outdone nor did He give up on His creation in whom He loved deeply. He was hoping they would love Him in return...with all their heart, soul, and mind and simply do what He asked them to do (or avoid doing). And it was only one request. Call it a ‘test’ if you will, but we do see a pattern where God does ‘test’ His creation, even doing so up until today. You might read Deut. 8:2; 13:3-4; 1 Thess. 2:4; and 2 Cor. 13:5.

And may I state for the record: God is NOT...a ‘sadist’, one who derives pleasure from inflicting pain or humiliation on others.

As the story of creation unfolds...and men began to populate the earth, God still sought out man, wanting to have fellowship and relationship with them. But as always, there would be ‘conditions’ to maintain harmony in this relationship. This should come as a surprise to no one. Are there not conditions when a man and woman pledge or vow to become ‘one in marriage’? They agree and promise to ‘conditions’...until ‘death parts them’. And in one sense, that is what God sought to do...establishing ‘covenant’ with His people. Marriage is a ‘covenant’ as well between two individuals, man and woman, I probably should clarify based on God’s design.

When I say the world changed on that day that Adam and Eve ‘broke covenant’ with God, it truly ushered in ‘death’ and all that sin and death brings. It brought into the world, things that God never intended for us to experience; things like sorrow and shame, sickness and disease, destruction and heartache. And being the amazing God of love and provision and protection that He is and offers to those who walk in covenant with Him...He constantly reminded His people they too...could still benefit from these promises...provided they adhered to His ‘conditions’. May I ask again...when did God change? (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8)

Granted...not everyone really wants this kind of relationship with God; go figure. The same could be said about people today (John 3:18-21) And we know it was the same back in those early days. Genesis 6 spells out for us what happened to man when left to their own imaginations and desires; they grew more wicked and evil (Gen. 6:3-6).

And yet “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (8-9). Would you also look up and make note of 2 Chron. 16:9, please. Have you any idea what it looks like for God to ‘show Himself strong to’?

I should also point out here that when God first created mankind...He kind of had a long term vision that included future generations. Do you recall what His first ‘command’ was to Adam and Eve? Go forth ...”be fruitful and multiply.” (Gen. 1:28). As we need to be reminded of at times: “It’s not always ‘about us’!” God was, and is, always thinking ahead to future generations. You see this repeatedly in the way in which He instructed and warned His people. I mean, take a look at the second commandment that ended with a warning and a promise (Ex.20:5-6)

When we get in to Deuteronomy, how often does He stress the importance of teaching these things (His law) to their ‘children and grandchildren’. And for good reason!

Probably one of the more difficult things to read about God in the OT was when He called for the annihilation of various groups of people. First, there was the flood in Genesis 6. Then, when instructed the Israelites to go in and removed all the Canaanite nations from the land, which He was going to assist in doing. Another harsh example that comes to mind was God’s instructions He sent to King Saul and what He wanted done to the Amalekites; which Saul failed miserably at doing (1 Sam. 15).

I know...people are aghast and demand to know how a ‘loving God’ could issue such orders or instigate such destruction that resulted in the loss of life. And it never ceases to amaze me that we humans can be so deluded to think we are more just, or more righteous, or more compassionate than God Himself. That’s like the lump of clay questioning the integrity and skill of the potter (Rom. 9:20-21). Now don’t get me wrong, I truly can appreciate how difficult it might be to wrap your head around this aspect of God, a God whom we are told to take in to consideration...not only His ‘goodness’ but His ‘severity’ as well (Rom. 11:22)

We forget oftentimes, that we are ‘not God’, nor do we have His perspective or vantage point. And we do need to be reminded from time to time that ‘His ways are not like our ways’ (Isa. 55:8-9). Years ago, I did hear a perspective that was offered up that did help me some accept God’s rationale on such harsh judgements (the flood for one). It was almost like an act of ‘mercy’ being extended to future generations, breaking the cycle of sin and death, for instance. If a nation or group of people become so hardened to God, and only grow more evil and more wicked, then what chance would any offspring have in coming to know Him. More and more generations would eventually be separated eternally from Him. That may not help you any come to terms with His judgments, but that did help me out some.

But let’s examine the goodness of God...and what His heart’s desire has always been for His people. You can go read that familiar passage in Jeremiah 29:11-14; then meet me back here tomorrow.