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Re: Apparently, 100 years ago Turks killed 1,000,000 Armenians. So what?
And manatees.
God made sure that species survived The Flood but humans choosing to worship Him the wrong way were obliterated along with their pets and children. To God the wrong sort of worship is indistinguishable from no worship at all and the consequences are savage. Many have been blasted with fire, ripped up alive by animals, smitten with leprosy, withered away through drought or famine or insects and even one documented case of spontaneous worms. Often though God uses foreign armies such as His response to idolatry in the following case:
This was not a tornado of swords blowing along, dismembering everything in its path. God could have done that of course but this particular outbreak of idolatry was addressed by a foreign army. They'd wanted to chop people up for some time and all God needed to do was ease the constraints He'd applied to prevent them from doing so. They didn't get everyone and a remedy was available.
It's easy to check pictures of cathedrals and see how many idols there are. God simply offers Love and has explained the correct way to reciprocate. The correct words to glorify Him and the domestic arrangements to avoid. Top of the list is IDOLS and He has explained what an idol is (whether or not you worship the thing) and what you can expect if you make one. Imagine how He must feel when He see people using the wrong words, actually making idols then celebrating them as a part of "culture" even if the attacking army are savage heathens it's God at work when the chopping begins. The solution is explicit: get rid of the idols.
There are people who offer a different solution. Approximately along the lines of "keep the idols, say they're cultural icons or something, pretend you're just using them as a 'focus for thought' when you adore them, lie about what's going on in your head when you pray to them and when you worship them claim they're not idols at all." God calls it an abomination.
If you're someone who thinks God's response is nothing less than genocide, then you need to explain two things. First, you need to explain how to address idolatry and second, where you think the ways of the LORD are wrong.
And manatees.
God made sure that species survived The Flood but humans choosing to worship Him the wrong way were obliterated along with their pets and children. To God the wrong sort of worship is indistinguishable from no worship at all and the consequences are savage. Many have been blasted with fire, ripped up alive by animals, smitten with leprosy, withered away through drought or famine or insects and even one documented case of spontaneous worms. Often though God uses foreign armies such as His response to idolatry in the following case:
Hosea 13:6e-8a, 15-16 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps ... Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels. Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
This was not a tornado of swords blowing along, dismembering everything in its path. God could have done that of course but this particular outbreak of idolatry was addressed by a foreign army. They'd wanted to chop people up for some time and all God needed to do was ease the constraints He'd applied to prevent them from doing so. They didn't get everyone and a remedy was available.
Hosea 14:4-5b, 8-9a I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily ... Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them?
It's easy to check pictures of cathedrals and see how many idols there are. God simply offers Love and has explained the correct way to reciprocate. The correct words to glorify Him and the domestic arrangements to avoid. Top of the list is IDOLS and He has explained what an idol is (whether or not you worship the thing) and what you can expect if you make one. Imagine how He must feel when He see people using the wrong words, actually making idols then celebrating them as a part of "culture" even if the attacking army are savage heathens it's God at work when the chopping begins. The solution is explicit: get rid of the idols.
There are people who offer a different solution. Approximately along the lines of "keep the idols, say they're cultural icons or something, pretend you're just using them as a 'focus for thought' when you adore them, lie about what's going on in your head when you pray to them and when you worship them claim they're not idols at all." God calls it an abomination.
If you're someone who thinks God's response is nothing less than genocide, then you need to explain two things. First, you need to explain how to address idolatry and second, where you think the ways of the LORD are wrong.
Hosea 14:9b For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
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