How God Works

I myself will go with Elam’s enemies to shatter it. In my fierce anger, I will bring great disaster upon the people of Elam,” says the LORD. “Their enemies will chase them with the sword until I have destroyed them completely. [Jeremiah 49.37]

I noted this passage today for what it says about how God works.

God said He would go with Elam's enemies to shatter it - to bring great disaster upon the people of Elam. But in the very next sentence God said Elam's enemies would chase them with the sword. What's even more interesting is that in saying that, God switches right into implying that Elam's enemies chasing them with the sword was in fact God punishing them.

Why is this important? Because every curse described in Deuteronomy 28 to be carried out against sin, can be said to be God's doing even though it may be anything from political enemies to grasshoppers, or sickness, or drought doing the actual destruction.

How can this be since God is good and does only good (Psalm 119.68)? It is simple: when God looks away from His creation, all hell (literally) breaks loose. All it takes is for God to turn away from sin (which He does by His very nature) and every curse pounces. Sickness, disease, famine, pestilences, destruction, and loss of every kind are the default conditions upon man except for God's blessings intervening. Obedience makes the way for God's blessings (remember the blood of bulls and goats? ...remember that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission for sin?). 

This obedience is not just an Old Testament thing either. The remission of sin will always require blood. That is exactly why we are compelled to the obedience of faith in Christ! Faith is obedience and should never be considered anything less.

Unless God looks upon His creation (that is sinful) and sees blood, then He must look away - and that look away is destruction. God's look away is His commission upon curses to take charge. And, that is why He can say, "I have destroyed them."

Father, help me to understand clearly. Forgive me for arrogance and pride that harden my understanding and cause me to miss You.