No buildings, streets, or hospitals have been named in honor of me. Although God was at work in the betrayal, you couldnt see it that night. For this reason God purposefully led the wondering multitude to a place where there was no possible way of escape from Pharaoh and his army, humanly speaking. Then the Lord heard the sound of your words, and He was angry and took an oath, saying, Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers. God even gave prophecy through Isaiah that this very thing would take place. God is unimpressed by our collection of readers, likes, retweets, friends, connections, or admirers. God himself had foreordained every detail surrounding the death of his Son. No, its a mystery. God Uses A complete answer is impossible for who has known the mind of the Lord (Isa. The mind of evil changes from bad to worse being taken in by successes in conquest. When Judas kissed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter impulsively grabbed his sword and started swinging. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. We should never presume to say to an unbeliever, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. We cant know that. Moses give the Israelites specific instruction and visible representation from the invisible God. A lesson worth considering, but not the main lesson I want to focus on, is that God often put us into situations where only He can deliver us. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Philippians 3:4-7 - although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. His plan in doing so was to bless all people. God is unimpressed. Wisdom didnt guard him against a wandering heart. I am the trustee of nothing more than my personal belongings. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven, will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. A prophecy we can imagine would have seemed quite improbable to those who heard. Yet He was still able to accomplish His will through them. Why does God allow deception Israel as a nation had rejected the promises of Moses and the Prophets culminating in the demand for the death of Jesus, Gods Messiah. Though Israel was many, only the remnant will be saved (Romans 9:27). Why? I am sure God has many reasons for doing the things He does in the way and timing of His choosing, but lets consider some likely reasons He used Moses, a sinner, to be the instrument of His sovereign, miraculous work of dividing the Red Sea. That doesnt lessen his guilt, but it does increase our appreciation of Gods sovereignty over the affairs of men. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, Why does this generation seek for a sign? God Uses Many People to Accomplish His Purposes Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say,read more.Because the Lord could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness. But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared, The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations. Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. So the Lord said, I have pardoned them according to your word; but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. WebGod never does evil Himself. But Moses said to the Lord, Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from their midst, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. Those who read my words are in many different situations: May I repeat what I just said: He has not brought us this far to cause us to fail. The gospel writers record many Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The unbeliever has made an exchangethe truth for a lieand the devil is happy to facilitate the swap by presenting the sinner with a wide array of lies from which to choose. 1:8). Be encouraged, child of God. All of these people are unlikely choices to be used by God since they didnt truly know or believe in Him. In the healthiest churches, we find a holy conspiracy between pastors who gladly care for the sheep, and sheep who do what they can so that the pastors might serve joyfully. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. 16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. WebWhat if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But we can find hope in knowing that God is in control, He works all things for our God, and no suffering we face know will even be able to cast a shadow on the glory we will receive in Heaven. Jesus, in the Olivet Discourse, gave the parable of the sheep and the goats. In the words of a 19th century writer, hatred, treachery and deceit will not prevail against the church of God. Here are five specific prophecies that were fulfilled when Judas betrayed Jesus: Psalm 41:9Close friend will betray Christ (see John 13:18). Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 From the earliest days of Jesus life we find the Jewish leaders conspiring against him. WebWhat if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. What an honor to serve the King of kings. Many believed they were going to die and complained to Moses (Ex. But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. Zechariah 11:1230 pieces of silver (see Matthew 26:15). In the time of the New Testament after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we see the expansion of Gods Covenant to include Gentile believers drawn to the Savor by the Gospel. God One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. Our prayers aline us with Gods eternal decree. God then raised up Moses and his brother Aaron as instruments to deliver the people of Israel from cruel bondage. He recognized what was evil because he believed Gods law. Fit to be Used Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). Remember my imprisonment. For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you., Jeremiah also spoke of the same thing about which God warned Habakkuk. They move ahead as a determined army spreading violence. Gods Prophet Jeremiah warned of Gods judgment. Your children, however, whom you said would become a preyI will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected. We know from the sowing and reaping principle that t here will be degrees of torment in the lake of fire. (see Acts 1:20). Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers. Recent events may not have gone how you hoped and the signs may seem bleak. Does God sometimes use evil to accomplish His plans (Habakkuk 1:5-11)? Holman Old Testament Commentary: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah by Trent Butler. Other examples could be added to this list. Jesus is truly the lamb without blemish who died for the sins of the world (John 1:29). I answer yes. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12: 3). How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? Paul also made this clear in Romans 9-11. Things may seem impossible, and for men, they might be impossible, but nothing is impossible with God (Lk. Stating that the plans of men are many but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts It appears that between 11 PM Thursday night and 7:30 AM Friday morning, Jesus underwent six different hearingsone before Annas, two before Caiaphas, one before the Sanhedrin, and two before Pontius Pilate. God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. We might be a life-hacking, productivity guru. In those moments we often feel alone in the chaos of circumstances as life tumbles in around us. even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. But he chose instead to allow himself to be arrested, knowing that this would fulfill Gods plan. We return now to the original question: Why did God allow Judas to betray Jesus? Gods plan included the time of Jesus deathPassover, the placeJerusalem, the opposition by the Jewish leaders, and the betrayal by Judas. God Lest he misunderstand, I also told him that going to Calvary Memorial Church cannot save anyoneor help save anyone. Visit Justins personal website Here. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. Literal Standard Version. What does it mean that the righteous will live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4)? The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. God may ordain to use their wickedness, but this does not make it morally right. Why does God allow deception Anyone who resists God risks falling into spiritual deception (2 In Acts 2 God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who spoke on the streets of Jerusalem in the languages of the Gentiles who were present. As the persecution he inflicted was just the jump-start the early church needed to start taking the Gospel to the rest of the world. Showing us that our God can and will use anyone even though they dont know Him. One swing of his sword whacked off the ear of Malchus, servant to the High Priest. So the emphasis of the chapter is on Gods working out His purpose through ordinary people who obey Him. The sheep representing believers who did Gods will and the goats representing unbelievers who do not do Gods will. Grace be with you. Pharaohs heart was hardened again. God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. Assyria had fallen when Nineveh, its capitol, was destroyed in 612 BC. Here are some examples: Until finally it came to the Red Sea where the Egyptian army was destroyed and the tale spread across the world to the glory of God. In fact, in one place in scripture, God said that what He was doing could not be understood even if He explained it. Psalm 69:25Reputation destroyed forever. And, "Who Are The Sons of God in Genesis 6? 14:11). The Lord did it, but He did it through Moses. God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. Here are the two great texts to keep in mind regarding Gods providence and our own personal experience: The first is the famous statement by Joseph to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. The second comes from the familiar words of Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. These verses teach us that God is able to take the worst things that happen in life and turn them for our good and his glory. God has already determined the end from the beginning (Isa. Their chargers charge ahead; Their cavalry comes from afar; They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat. 17:8-13). God has the amazing ability to do things that simply do not make sense to mankind. Literal Standard Version. Their end will be most awful. Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness. God is still using unlikely people to accomplish His will on earth today. This seems to be one of the reasons God had Moses lift up his staff and hands to divide the Red Sea. That is what moving forward would require, or so it seemed. He is the preeminent insider who knew Jesus as well as anyone has ever known himyet in the end never really knew him at all. Able to do exceedingly and abundantly using unlikely people to further His plans. Often in the confusion of life, we cant see the ends, much less the means God intends for us. But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared, Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now., but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the. Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice. Egypt and the Neo-Babylonians were competing for world dominance. Dont get me wrong, wisdom is important. God often reveals himself in most unexpected ways. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, Why does this generation seek for a sign? In their very act of oppression, they unknowingly serve the glory of the Creator. You truly never know God could be doing something right that we wouldnt understand even if He told us. Everything fits into Gods plan. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. But all of them come from the hand of the Lord. Covenant judgment was about to be poured out upon Israel. He has many means to accomplish that holy purposeincluding some that are difficult to understand. Were on a mission to change that. He uses believers and unbelievers. He uses believers and unbelievers. The story of Judas teaches us that nothing happens by accident. His silence spoke more loudly than the foolish claims of his lying accusers. 46:10). In the process, we will also find an answer to a third question, Who are the sons of God in Gen. 6? If you like solving mysteries, you will love this, "Churches are going apostate inside their comfortable church buildings! Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. 1:21). If God did the miracles without Moses, amazing things would have happened, but the people would not have known what was going on or what to do. God has sinners pray and answers the prayers of sinners that are according to His will, getting glory for himself. And He *said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. Two verses later, in Rom. So while many American Christians worry about what will take place in the coming years I find peace in knowing that God can use even the most unlikely candidates to accomplish His will. but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. I run into people in different countries or am contacted by those from different countries who have been blessed by my preaching. God will use it even if you do not understand how. Here is my answer: He allowed Judas to betray Jesus so that Jesus could become the Savior of the world. "Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus", Copyright 2020 Keep Believing Ministries. 12:35-36). Why would God allow his Son to suffer such indignity at the hands of one who claimed to be his friend? International Standard Version. Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. As Christians, we have nothing to fear or worry about because we know that God is in control. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. The Neo-Babylonians were dominated by Chaldean kings. And that is okay. Then his mind changes, and he transgresses; He commits offense, Ascribing this power to his god.. In heaven, each mans praise will come to him from God, and God will be glorified for sovereignly using sinners for His good purposes (I Cor. They all come for violence; Their faces are set like the east wind. Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 2) If Jesus did descend into hell, why? When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. All rights reserved. Do not lament your insufficiency. Because God does miracles by His own power. Soon they will be raised up from that struggle to full power. But now, the grief of the Egyptians had subsided and was replaced with anger and regret. Joseph made Egypt phenomenally wealthy during the years of the famine. Jesus Sends Out the What does it mean that God came from Teman (Habakkuk 3:3). I have not written a New York Times Bestseller, and no one has publicly endorsed, recommended, or vouched for me. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. God Uses While not all became believers, many felt a strong attraction to his message. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. verses about Unbelievers God Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus All of it happened according to Gods plan. God asks us to do things we cant do, because it makes us trust IN HIM, not ourselves. God use non-believers to help His people When we do that we become His instruments to accomplish His sovereign will. Nothing is ever left to chance with God. Fourth, Gods command seemed impossible to obey. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. Moses was an instrument, a tool, a vessel for Gods use, and so are we all. God sees. When they offered him 30 pieces of silver, he readily accepted even though that was the going price for a slave. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! WebJohn 3:16. WebThe Scripture teaches that God achieves His purpose in unbelievers. One final point is in order. An unlikely person to be used by God. WebThe one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. God Will Use Even You First, the people of Israel were for the most part leaderless. Even today there are those who are arrogant and have no honor for God as He reveals Himself in Scripture. Before the Apostle Paul wrote his letter he was known as Saul. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! God used this unlikely group of people to accomplish His greatest work and they had no idea. A nation would come to judge them speaking in a language they did not understand (Deuteronomy 28:49). I am not a rising star in any field, industry, or arena. I believe that t he Lord is here suggesting that the eternal torment that unbelievers will experience will be on a scale from more tolerable to less tolerable. Jesus point is clear, The King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.. WebGod never does evil Himself. They will be held guilty. The Israelites and the church did face some tough times and we may too. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. He told the people that Pharaohs army would be wiped out, though he did not know how. God didnt need to have Moses lift up his staff. Wisdom didnt ensure obedience. Often in the confusion of life, we cant see the ends, much less the means God intends for us.