Opus 2021-244: I Have Questions

The Bible is full of things that are hard to explain.  Among the Great Mysteries of the Bible:  The Incarnation, the Trinity, creation ex nihilo and the entire idea of an infinite God.  There are questions that are hard to answer such as, “Where did Adam’s sons find wives?” and “How much did the baby Jesus know?”  

Then there are the dubious choices of Biblical heroes.  To me one of the great mysteries is Sampson.  Sampson was set aside to be a judge in Israel before he was born.  That is one of the Biblical teachings that should make you question abortion.  His mother had a rigorous diet and he had to follow it himself.  For all of his flaws he seemed to keep his Nazarite vows.  

His character left a lot to be desired.  He seemed to be totally ignorant of sexual morality.  He had problems with telling the truth and was guilty of killing flocks of Philistines.  He was a mess.  I would not want him in charge of anything.  Yet in all this he was one of the judges and God honored him.

We see the same problem with King David.  List his crimes and you come up with adultery and murder.  He was also a poor example of fatherhood.  And yet God said he was a man after God’s own heart.

Go figure.

One advantage God has is being able to read our hearts and minds.  

(Pro 24:12 KJV)  If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

He knows the difference between an honest mistake, a moment of weakness and rebellion.  We can fool others.  We can fool ourselves.  We cannot fool God.

Sampson had and inner quality that God honored.  David had a heart that was more committed than his actions of the day.  We can also know that God knows our hearts.  That can be good or bad but we always have the option of repentance and change.

homo unius libri