I've spent a great deal of time in the Old Testament because I've always felt it was a clear representation of how God truly deals with people. The stories are not simply moral stories, but ones given for our instruction as to the way God acts towards mankind. However, many simply reject the Old Testament since it doesn't fit with their concept of God.
It's impossible to reconciled the sugary-sweet Christ surrounded by children and lambs we see today with the same God who rained fire or flooded the world on a disobedient people as described in the Old Testament. People have rejected the true God of scripture, setting up a God made in their image; worshiping all sorts of things but the true living God. If we truly understood our depravity, we would be falling on our knees begging forgiveness for our weakness and failings; not wearing shirts that states, "Jesus is my homeboy."
Fortunately God is rich in His grace and mercy. He calls out His people and we walk in a wilderness, sustained by His word, as we are led home.
*For some of us, that is the only way we can approach God. That is why He reveales Himself SOOOOOOOOOOOO slowly. His Divine Nature suddenly and fuly exposed would have blown their minds, literally. In fact, it would have killed them.
Wisdom ....For while all things were in quiet silence, and the night was in the midst of her course, Thy almighty word leapt down from heaven from thy royal throne, as a fierce conqueror into the midst of the land of destruction.
* Not an Advent Passes without me reading this in Wisdom. I think it romantic, sweet, fearsome, foreboding,and awesome. My God..The Incarnation. Think of it...
And, then Midnight Mass arrives and I hear the History of the world read...
Awesome, The lightness and joy in one's heart dispels all doubt. Then, I couldn't care less what anyone says about Jesus. Because, my Faith is about Jesus, the Divine Man, My Lord and Saviour, and all interst in theological treatises recedes into mists..
It's impossible to reconciled the sugary-sweet Christ surrounded by children and lambs we see today with the same God who rained fire or flooded the world on a disobedient people as described in the Old Testament.
God encompasses all of these things (even that which is mischaracterized as sugary-sweetness).
He is fierce ... and He is tender.
He is the Lion of Judah ... and the Lamb which takes away the sins of the world.
He does call children unto Him ... and speaks of Himself as being meek and lowly.Mark 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
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Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Amen, their story is our story and the two pillars are the Word and the Lord