Sermon snippet: “God, Where Are You?” (or, A Theodicy Odyssey) Part IV
INTRODUCTION – Genesis 12:1-3 – We continue on our theodicy odyssey, defending the ways of God in the face of evil. Some people are bothered by the designation “chosen people” for the Israelites; others are enraged. Is God guilty of favoritism?
- A SPOONFUL OF LOGIC HELPS THE THEODICY MEDICINE GO DOWN
Genesis 3:15 -This is the first Gospel message. It was given immediately after Adam and Eve sinned. It was, of course, not needed before; God’s timing is impeccable. A Savior would come to and, logically, through Adam and Eve. Somewhere along the way, this Messiah had to be born into a family; this family would be God’s chosen people, chosen to have the privilege and the responsibility of caring for the Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ. There is no favoritism here, for we need a Savior Who is fully human (and also fully divine) to be the perfect substitute for our sins.
- THE FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY IS CENTRAL TO OUR FAITH AND REASSURES US THAT GOD IS GOOD
Genesis 12:1-3 – Even when the Jewish people have not inhabited Israel, they have been a distinct people. They did inhabit the “land” (verse 1) more than 500 years after this promise (see Genesis 15:7, 13-14 for additional details). They came out of slavery in Egypt to abide in Israel, just as God said, and they are back in the land now. The promise of verse 3 that all of the world would be blessed was fulfilled about 2,000 years after it was given, when Jesus Christ was born. God did not have to tell us these things in advance, but He did. This goodness to all provides the basis for our faith and reveals that there is no favoritism with God.
- HOME IS WHERE GOD’S HEART IS
God is infinite, yet He has chosen to reveal the fullness of His glory and majesty in a particular place, heaven. His granting of a land to Abraham and his descendants points to His desire to give an eternal home, a heaven-home, to all people. Again, Genesis 12:3 makes it clear that this offer is available to all people and that God does not play favorites.
CONCLUSION – God wants to bless us, to give us His best. He wants us to be part of His family and to make His eternal home our home. He gave His best: He gave Himself, God the Son, on the Cross as the perfect substitute for our sins. Each one of us must decide if we want to receive His everlasting blessing. In closing, let us remember that anti-Semitism is a great and grievous sin (read Genesis 12:3 once again). We should be joyful that God is good to Israel, for His unchanging character of goodness is clearly revealed to us, to all of us.