Yahweh is a storm god, page 3

Originally posted by Copperflower
If I may, I'd like to offer a couple of perspectives?

Yeshua could speak from the perspective of a son who had never displeased his father, a good prince under a benevolent king. Belief in Him offers us this opportunity, as well, because of the New Covenant, one for all. God agreed to accept all who would come to Yeshua (Christ) because they had heard of and believed His sacrifice and resurrection were real. Honoring His son, who He loves very much, gains us God's favor, and a clean slate. But it's not the easiest sometimes, because we have a hard time learning to love like God without help from the Holy Spirit. I wish I had known that earlier in life.

The OT gives us God's perspective: a branch of humanity removed from pagan worship and taught to worship one God, i.e. the Hebrew families that came from Abraham, whose father was apparently an idol-carver in their hometown! God chose to separate a branch to worship Him, and someone had to be the man to base it on. Abraham answered. There is a lot to that story if one wishes to look into it. Extra-Biblical stuff that I wish had been there a long time ago, at least as traditional or cultural information.

The Amalek people, amongst other hostile tribes, were those who had not only refused life-saving hospitality, but attacked His new branch. If He didn't subdue the hostile tribes by giving the Hebrews victory (not them, really, for He helped them win every time), then His people would be wiped out early in the history of the family.

Other tribes who threatened His family were not to be tolerated, because sooner or later, they would overtake the Hebrews, in battle, or in cultural change, back to paganism. Conversion into the faith of the Hebrews was acceptable to God, however, as it would prove that this person had faith, the gift of God. It says in the OT that people would be grafted into the branch. He opens His arms to whoever can hear His call, those with a good heart, who do not seek or thrive in bad things, or dishonesty, cheating, etc.

What I'm trying to say is that God used all these situations to settle scores against those who had resisted Him in other , much more ancient situations, (more than the so-called 6000 year history of mankind) and who tried to battle His chosen branch before He could teach them to obey.

The OT is full of His rebukes to the Hebrews, as well. He even complains about them ignoring Him over and over, and taking after pagans again, after He had built the whole culture NOT to do that, but love Him only. He proved His love, and disciplined them without destroying them over and over, but they continued to flaunt their freedom and eventually forget Him, and offend Him by doing evil things, cheating, etc. Like all folks who forget morals. That's the main problem with pagan stuff that doesn't have morals, in the Bible. Those people end up doing reprehensible things.

God considers killing His chosen family reprehensible, no matter how bad they are. But He wasn't a hypocrite; He deals with the unrepentant Hebrews harshly, as well, we should remember. But only after offering them many warnings and many chances to change. What would He do if the whole branch was destroyed? Who would know Him on earth at all? A few good ones always remained, for His purposes, to regrow the branch. Does that make sense? He knew who was doing what, more than we can ever know. He engineered certain ones to build His family, and kept His word to them in return for their love and faith in Him, despite their sins, because who is sinless but Yeshua? Still, God knows who is His, who is kind and reasonable, seeking knowledge, being a light to others, etc.

Yeshua, modest, self-sacrificing, and full of God's favor, had no reason to experience God's displeasure, anger, or discipline. He offers us that path, not the easy one, but so worth it for trying to do good to others and to be kind and loving.

That's how we can experience this side of God, not requiring or causing His displeasure. We just need to think of Him as a good and very real presence or personality, however one could try to explain it. If we consider His feelings, then we can understand how to behave with respect for Him and one another, in the power of His love. He empowers that kind of person, and the rest seems to fall into line as you go.

Especially answers to deep questions, like UFOs, ETs, evil, good, learning, science, etc. Some answers are in little bits at a time, so they can be woven into a beautiful understanding, in my experience. If one wants to know, I suggest getting close to the one with ALL knowledge, and all the answers. He will give you some if you just ask Him, as Yeshua points out in the NT.

That's the difference, I think. We can avoid God's Son, and the promise that God made to give us a clean slate in return for honoring His Son and the sacrifice Yeshua made for all humanity. Then we are face to face with an offended God (OT).

Yeshua offers a better way. One must only seek it and He will speak to that one in a way that belongs only to Him and that person.

God would be even more angry if we scoff at this generous offer, the NT says, because His son wants to save us all, and has never harmed anyone, ever. We have no reason to turn Him down, from God's perspective. So Yeshua says that the Law is still valid to God, and we are accountable for it, reminding us of the alternative for refusing this final solution to sin and evil and pain. It's a win/win for those who are honest, or who consider the possibility of God. He is frustrated when we reject Him, because He's orchestrated a huge rescue party for mankind. We must grab on to make it, that is all. He cares about even one lost soul, since He paid for all to be forgiven, and restored. That's the story of the NT God and the OT God, one and the same, with feelings, and offers of a second, third, or millionth chance before it all goes down.

That's what I think is going on. I did a lot of research to seek the truth of this very perplexing question, and this is my working theory, for what it's worth.

Great thread, fellow thinker and lover of God!

Wow copperflower, I dont know where to start with kind disagreements (I hope you dont mind me commenting on your thoughts!)

The first thing that threw me off was the idea that God called a man out so this man could worship the true god. My response to this in depth would be so long....Im going to not beat around the bush and just say, I dont think God is worried about any worship....and all of the times man sought god in earthly things, god knew, this was not a reason to be jealous, but have patients, for man will soon enough see, nothing benefits man through this way.

I think what happened with what you call the Amalek and the 'chosen ones' is a red flag big time....do you not see why God cant have chosen ones?? All are Gods, all equally, God doesnt use 2 wrongs to make a right, and we should not either.

God does not intervene here in hopes of us obeying. God does not have a 'branch ' of people. God is love, loves all, wants us to gain understanding for our ways (which is not obeying, not the same), and again, God is not worried about worship.....God isnt this great disappointed God....Thee is not this great angry God....man has mislead many in these ideas.

ALso.....the ONLY way one gets a clean slate....is by carrying their own cross, and reaping what they sow. Jesus was a teacher...but many, like always, wants a man to be God. Shortcomings dont anger God....they only let God know what we have accomplished in our understandings. God is not angry if we are not yet ready to understand things of spirit....time makes no difference to God.

Gods plan has not changed, nor will it change....for it was perfect in the beginning. There needs to be no rescue plan....for God knew, the spiritual law of reaping what we sow is all that is needed to sift our spirit our from our flesh. With to and fro....with cycles and orders....with our experiences and opportunities....God has made a way, it has been and always was, perfect.

Man keeps wanting to change it...man keeps wanting to make Gods plan their own benefit for power. Man wants it to be easier....such as 'just have faith'.....'just except the gift'.

Having faith does not teach one understanding of why we should be more of spirit then flesh. Just excepting the gift does not encourage one to seriously 'walk in the way' as Jesus did.

Many think we cant become perfect, for they have been taught, we are a mistake, we shouldnt be here...that damn serpent and Eve.

Im sorry to say, God meant for this world to be the way it is....God meant for us to learn through cause and effect, the law of reaping what we sow. Jesus came and taught the same law, but man, as usual, makes it to benefit man, earthly things....taking the spiritual things out of it.

God didnt need for anyone to die....I hope you can find this truth one day...for it will then shine the true nature of Gods glory in your heart.

And to add...about Jesus. How do we know that he taught truth in the 'way'. Because he practiced what he preached. He not only taught to not fight for this life....but he himself did not fight for this life when the time came. He not only taught to turn the other cheek....but he did turn the other cheek, when faced with hate and pride from others. Jesus didnt HAVE to die...but chose to accept the life of spirit over the life of flesh. Jesus offered his life of flesh, to teach us, what to fight for and what to not fight for. He walked the 'way'...showing us how to do the same.

My best to you
LV

[edit on 7-2-2010 by LeoVirgo]