Q&A - Questions we didn't get to: Whoops...!

Yikes. We discovered some questions from Q&A day in December that were not answered! Let's knock these ones off, along with an apology to whoever asked them!

Why were the patriarchs of the Bible permitted to have multiple wives? Wasn't marriage created 1 man and 1 woman from the beginning with Adam and Eve? Were they living in disobedience and sin? What gives? Not that I need another wife... 1 is all I need.

Haha, true – God's intention from the beginning was 1 man, 1 woman, 1 lifetime (according to Jesus, Matthew 19:4-7) - and yes some patriarchs had many wives. It was wrong – and caused a lot of problems (consider David and Bathsheba's affair, as well as Solomon's waywardness due to his wives).

If the Samaritans are descendants of the tribes of Jacob, why are they hated by the Jews? 

It was sort of a racial thing – they were half-Jewish, and the "full blooded Jews" hated them. It also became a religious thing, with a difference of opinion over worship (John 4:20).

What is your view on the movie “The Shack?”

Sorry, I never saw it.

Q&A - Questions we didn't get to: what about innocents who are suffering?

"Faith is cold as ice. Why are little ones born only to suffer for the want of immunity or a bowl of rice? For who would holda price on the heads of the innocent children, if there is some immortal power to control the dice?" How would you respond to someone who thinks this way?

It's the most common question, just phrased more… poetically. Why is there suffering? We are fallen people, we live in a fallen world, our sin and the sin of others has devastating consequences. Yet, we are called to love the world, make a difference. I would ask the person: what are you doing to help alleviate suffering, bless others? I don't mean that in a harsh way, don't get me wrong. I'm just asking: does the pain and suffering of others move you to get involved in reaching out to help?

Somehow mankind's – our – sin causes so much suffering, and oftentimes, we blame God - the one who did the work to save us from ourselves and from His own wrath!

Sin and suffering - that's our fault. Forgiveness and healing - that's God's Work. Alleviating the suffering others go through - that's what God calls His people to do!

Q&A - Questions we didn't get to: Don't Jews see Jesus in Isaiah 53?

Why do Jews not see Jesus in Isaiah 53?

It's just a matter of willful ignorance. Yes, Isaiah 53 is in their Scriptures, but the Jews did not WANT to believe in a suffering Messiah, only a REIGNING Messiah, even though the OT teaches both. Even today, when their Scriptures are read in the synagogues, they skip over Isaiah 53!

Q&A - Questions we didn't get to: Jesus' family tree?

If Joseph is from the line of David, but was not the true/blood father of Jesus, how did Jesus fulfill this prophecy? Was Mary also from the house of David?

Yes. Luke 3 gives the genealogy of Jesus goes backwards in time, from Joseph (Jesus' earthly "father") to Adam (including Abraham and David). And in Matthew 1, the genealogy of Jesus goes forward in time from Abraham to Mary (including David). So David is on both sides!

I guess I could have just said "yes". 

pastor jeff

-paid by the word