Be Not Afraid

Deut. 7:17-26

There is a big difference between using God and knowing that God is using you.

Photo by Zoë Reeve on Unsplash

If you say to yourself, "These nations are more numerous than I; how can I dispossess them?" do not be afraid of them. Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. Moreover, the Lord your God will send the pestilence against them, until even the survivors and the fugitives are destroyed. Have no dread of them, for the Lord your God, who is present with you, is a great and awesome God. The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to make a quick end of them, otherwise the wild animals would become too numerous for you. But the Lord your God will give them over to you, and throw them into great panic, until they are destroyed. He will hand their kings over to you and you shall blot out their name from under heaven; no one will be able to stand against you, until you have destroyed them. The images of their gods you shall burn with fire. Do not covet the silver or the gold that is on them and take it for yourself, because you could be ensnared by it; for it is abhorrent to the Lord your God. Do not bring an abhorrent thing into your house, or you will be set apart for destruction like it. You must utterly detest and abhor it, for it is set apart for destruction. - Deut. 7:17-26

We don't like to think that God is in the destroying enemies business on our behalf, but that is what he is saying he will do here.

Could it be this is the way Moses and the Israelites saw God, as a mighty warrior? Or has God always been a ruthless killer?

The reading today paints a pretty solid picture of God as the ruler king, capable of destroying all the enemies in the path of his people.

But that is not how we think of God today. Jesus changed our perspective, though he did mention judgment and punishment.

So, is God to be feared, or is God's message to "Fear Not"?

These two factions continue to be at war today. Some believe all who do not do God's will shall be destroyed, while others believe all are welcome before God and can repent.

The latter is what Jesus taught, so maybe God, the Father, sent him to us to try a different approach. Teach them to love one another and then I won't rain down destruction upon them.

How is that working?

Because we tend to follow strength and see Jesus as weak, we seem to favor the judgmental and al-powerful God image.

Too bad, because we could be living in peace.

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