The
Bible’s Viewpoint
SOME people believe that God uses natural
calamities to discipline humankind. Others reject that notion. Still others do
not know what to believe. One professor of religious studies stated: “Most
religious traditions acknowledge that no one can speak authoritatively about
divine will in natural disasters.”
The Bible, however, provides satisfying
answers. It sheds light on whether God sends natural disasters to punish
mankind today. It also sheds light on what is behind the suffering that so many
experience.
The Scriptures
Provide a Pattern
The Bible reveals two fundamental truths
about God, whose name is Jehovah. First, he is the Creator and as such has the
power and authority to control earth’s natural forces. (Revelation 4:11)
Second, his actions are always in harmony with his personality, qualities, and
principles. He states at Malachi 3:6: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” With
these points in mind, consider two events in the past, one involving a flood
and another involving a drought. You will see that in Bible history when God
used natural forces to execute his judgments, he always provided (1) a warning,
(2) a reason, and (3) protection for obedient worshippers.
The Flood of Noah’s
Day
Warning. Decades before the Flood, Jehovah
told Noah: “As for me, here I am bringing the deluge of waters upon the earth
to bring to ruin all flesh.” (Genesis 6:17) Noah, “a preacher of righteousness,”
warned the people, but they “took no note.”—2 Peter 2:5; Matthew 24:39.
Reason. Jehovah announced: “The end of all
flesh has come before me, because the earth is full of violence as a result of
them.”—Genesis 6:13.
Protection for obedient worshippers. Jehovah gave Noah
detailed instructions regarding the making of an ark for survival of the Flood.
“Noah and those who were with him in the ark kept on surviving.”—Genesis 7:23.
Drought in Israel
Warning. Before Jehovah God brought a severe
drought on Israel, his prophet Elijah announced: “There will occur during these
years neither dew nor rain, except at the order of [God’s] word!”—1 Kings
17:1.
Reason. Israel’s worship of the false god
Baal prompted Jehovah’s action. In explanation, Elijah stated: “You men have
left the commandments of Jehovah, and you went following the Baals.”—1 Kings
18:18.
Protection for obedient worshippers. Jehovah provided
food for obedient worshippers during the drought.—1 Kings 17:6, 14; 18:4;
19:18.
What the Pattern
Reveals
Today there is no evidence that natural
disasters are part of a master plan to punish mankind. As a God of justice,
Jehovah has never ‘swept away the righteous with the wicked.’ (Genesis 18:23, 25)
He made provision for those who were obedient to him. Today natural disasters
afflict men, women, and children indiscriminately.
Clearly, current natural disasters do not fit
the pattern of divine intervention found in the Scriptures. What is more, these
random events are out of harmony with God’s personality. James 1:13 states that
God does not try people with evil things, and 1 John 4:8 sums up God’s
character in these words: “God is love.” He could never be responsible for the
misery inflicted on innocent people by random storms, earthquakes, and similar
tragedies. Will such disasters ever end?
The Suffering Will
End
Jehovah God never intended for humankind to
be plagued by natural disasters. His will is for humans to live forever in
peaceful conditions on earth. As he did in Noah’s day, he will intervene in earth’s
affairs to remove badness. True to form, Jehovah God is providing advance
notice by having a message of warning declared worldwide, thus allowing people
to put themselves in line for survival.—Psalm 37:9, 11, 29; Matthew 24:14.
For more informative articles please go to www.jw.org
No comments:
Post a Comment