God of the OT - Confused

[GlassPrisoner]

I have a Higher Power that I choose to call God. My HP is the God of The Bible.

I also believe that Christ was the son of God, died, was born again so that our sins may be forgiven, and will return .

But.....I'm really struggling with the OT God. The OT God hardened the Pharaohs heart, and sent plagues down upon the people of Egypt. During passover, he didn't just send an Angel to kill the first born, He did it Himself ! He destroyed the world once, and routinely destroyed cities and caused great hardship for those who didn't follow His instructions.

That's not the God that Graced me with recovery. My God is kind, loving, and cares deeply about me. But it is the same God, hence the confusion.

I'm a newbie when it comes to this sort of thing, but I am spiritual. More so than I have ever been in my life. I have seen Gods Grace, and know He's working through me to accomplish His will.

I guess to the more learned, this is like a newcomer wondering of they're "really" an alcoholic, or asking of anxiety is common during withdraw.

If anyone can shed some light on this, I'd appreciate it. I know if I continue to seek Him, more will be revealed. And, maybe like in recovery, I'm over-analyzing things.

[prodigal]

GlassPrisoner, I know folks here who are far more knowledgable than I will respond to your post. I often wonder about what God did to Job. I mean, the guy lost everything and was covered in boils. I, too, would like to understand why God chose to do these things. On the other hand, it is written "My ways are not your ways and my thoughts are not your thoughts."

[misslisa]

over-analyzing things for me always gets me confused!! I have alot of questions for the Lord when I get to heaven. Adam and Eve! only the two of them right? so there must of been insest??? so hey your not the only one that has questions. hopefully some knowledgable christian can shed some light on the question.

I think that we are pretty dam lucky to be born after christ and not before. We are to learn from the past and maybe all that happned in the OT is for us to know that God does have a wrath and he WILL discipline us as He see's fit. I dunno?

[best]

God is love.
God is full of grace that He pours out on all who seek His grace.
God is slow to anger.
God is just and rightious in all He does.

Where it says God hardened the Pharaoh's heart... What that means is...God didn't stand in the Pharaoh's way and allowed the Pharaoh to act out in a manner that his heart was driving him all along. Could be said... God detached from Pharaoh's poor actions just as we do when we work our recovery when dealing with others.

A farmer plants corn. He knows that of 10 plants only 8 will grow.
Is it wrong for the farmer to remove the two plants he knows won't make it before they come to full growth?
God knows the heart of every person. All will be judged and will accept what their choices are when their time comes. For God to have Noah build a boat and save the only people that God knew would stay faithful and accepting of Him.... why would it be wrong of God to give people their choices now rather then later? He knows who will be accepting even before they are born. We have problems understanding because we don't know the future.
How many people go a life time wanting and waiting for a loved one to change but never see a change? God knows who will and won't even if they had 100 years or only 100 days. Even before we are born God knows the answers.

We are on this earth to shine God's glory so others may know His love.
If we all reject him but for say a few... Just as the farmer who removes a few corn plants so that the others can grow all the stronger... it wouldn't be wrong of God to weed out the bad seed at any point in time that He so chooses.

[Grasshopper]

Hi GP,but it IS,the same God,that has graced you with recovery.
I dont understand alot either,i dont.But what i have done is stoped trying to figure it out.I dont know about you,but me,i use to judge God,by my , human standards.Im talking about me,here,if i may.By doing this i was confused,even turned away from God for a while.But have come back stronger in God,and His word.I pray to the Holy Spirit, everytime i open up the Holy Bible,to please reveal what,He,wants me to know and to understand.And the rest i let go.Knowing that i dont know...God will reveal to me,in His Time,what He wants me to understand.And thats ok with me today,im a peace with it.I leave it in God,s Hands,and do my best to follow His Will in my life.
This is whats working in my life today.
God works in myteries ways,and in different ways.
God Bless,

[caileesnana]

sometimes it is a test, other times I think it is so we can be there for someone else. The main thing w/ Job was his faith. He never let it go and it costs him everything. but when God saw how faithful he was, he was rewarded!

I got a new bible, the new living translation that is extremely easy to read and I understand it more than ever before.

take care,
susan

[IO Storm]

All I do know is...

God loved me before the foundations of the earth were formed...

And loves me today, and you, and each and every single living

human being and the ones who have passed generation after generation.

He has it all wrapped up in His plans..

His ways are higher than mine....

I believe...if I did not..I would have no hope..

I believe because on June 8, 2006 He spoke a Word

of Life to this hopeless alcoholic..

And now I am free...

A miracle..

I believe.

Love,



Sherry