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GOD SE TOORN – WAT BETEKEN DIT?

GOD SE TOORN – WAT BETEKEN DIT?

Terwyl ek werklik oortuig is van die waarheid oor die karakter van God soos geopenbaar en geleer deur jou bediening, vind ek dit moeilik om met ander oor hierdie onderwerp te gesels wanneer ek in die “toorn van God”-hoek geverf word, wat blykbaar soveel skriftuurlike ondersteuning het.

Kan jy my help om te verstaan hoe om hierdie tekste en hierdie frase toe te pas, in die lig van ons begrip van sy ware karakter?

Dankie en mag God voortgaan om jou en die Come & Reason “familie” te seën. Julle het my almal geseën deur julle bydraes tot die Kwartaallikse studie-uur opnames.

EH


Die volgende is ‘n uittreksel uit my volgende boek getiteld The God-Shaped Brain – How Your View of God Changes Your Brain, wat ek hoop in die nabye toekoms beskikbaar sal wees:

Waarom het God vir Adam gesê, “op die dag as jy hierdie vrug eet, sal jy sterwe?” Omdat Hy gedwing sou word om dood te maak? Of omdat die mensdom sou afwyk van die wet van liefde, die wet van die lewe, en sonder ingryping sou die enigste gevolg ondergang en dood wees? En sodra ons eerste ouers hulself met hierdie terminale toestand besmet het, wat was nodig? ‘n Oplossing en ‘n genesing! Daardie genesing is as ‘n baba in Betlehem gebore.

Liefde loop die gevaar om verkeerd verstaan te word sodat dit tot redding kan wees

Terwyl ek hierdie idees orals aangebied het, het ek individue ontmoet wat nie van hierdie siening hou nie. Hulle sukkel met hierdie waarheid as gevolg van stellings in die Bybel waarin God blykbaar sê, “Ek is woedend. Ek is kwaad. En in my toorn gaan ek doodmaak!”

Die oppermagtige Here sê: Rampe wag verseker vir Jerusalem, die stad vol moordenaars! Ek sal self hout op die vuur onder haar pak. Ja, pak die vuur aan! Laat die vuur dreun tot die water kook. Kook die vleis goed, met baie speserye. Verbrand dan die bene. Sit die leë pot op die kole en maak dit rooiwarm sodat die vuilheid en roes kan afbrand. … Die vuilheid is jou afskuwelike dade. Ek het jou probeer skoonmaak, maar jy het geweier. Daarom sal jy vuil bly tot my wraak teen jou afgekoel is. Ek, die Here, het so gesê! Die tyd het gekom en niks kan dit terughou nie. Ek verander nie van gedagte nie. Ek sal jou nie weer jammer kry nie. Jy sal geoordeel word op grond van jou afskuwelike dade, sê die oppermagtige Here (Esegiël 24: 9-14 NLV’11).

Met die eerste oogopslag klink hierdie teks skrikwekkend. Ek onthou hoe ek met gedeeltes soos hierdie gesukkel het, altyd bang dat God wag om my te betrap – en my goed te slaan – as ek ‘n glips gemaak het. Maar ek het besef dat my misverstande oor God slegs ontstaan het omdat ek nooit die regte vrae gevra het toe ek hierdie moeilike tekste gelees het nie. Die vraag is nie of God hierdie woorde deur sy profeet gespreek het nie, want ek is vol vertroue dat Hy dit gedoen het. Die belangrike vraag is: Wat het eintlik gebeur nadat Hy hierdie woorde gespreek het?

Het God sy krag gebruik om diegene te vernietig oor wie Hy sulke skrikwekkende woorde gespreek het? Of het hulle rebellie hulle van sy beskerming geskei en sodoende tot hulle vernietiging gelei?

Die kinders van Israel het geweier om God, sy metodes en beginsels te volg. Maar God het hulle nie seergemaak nie. In plaas daarvan, het Hy hulle gelos om te gaan! Hy het vir hulle gegee wat hulle gekies het – ‘n lewe wat van Hom geskei is. Hy het opgehou om namens hulle in te tree. Hy het sy beskermende hand op hulle aandrang verwyder, en kort voor lank het die Babiloniërs gekom wat in ware Babiloniese styl hulle stad vernietig het. Dit was die Babiloniërs, nie God nie, wat die vernietigende vuishou toegedien het.

Hierdie “laat gaan” deur God, hierdie vrystelling om die gevolge van ons eie aanhoudende, opstandige keuses te pluk, is wat die Bybel “God se toorn” noem. Paulus vertel vir ons dat die “toorn” van God ontstaan as gevolg van aanhoudende verwerping van God, die verwerping van die kennis van Hom en die voorkeur van ons eie manier bo God s’n. Dan sê Paulus drie keer dat die weerbarstiges in die eerste eeu na Christus God se toorn ervaar het toe God hulle “prysgegee het” om die gevolge van hulle eie keuses te pluk (Romeine 1:18-32).

Jesus, wat vir ons sonde geword het, het God se “toorn” namens ons aan die kruis ervaar en uitgeroep, “My God, my God, waarom het U My verlaat?” nie “waarom maak U my dood” nie (Matthéüs 27:46). Dwarsdeur die Bybel is die storie dieselfde.

In Deuteronomium dreig God met sy toorn: “Want my woede is aangesteek soos ’n vuur, en dit brand tot in die dieptes van die graf. Dit verteer die aarde en sy opbrengs, die fondamente van die berge steek dit aan die brand. Ek sal rampe op hulle ophoop en hulle met my pyle afskiet” (Deuteronomium 32:22, 23). Maar God sê die wyses sal verstaan wat sy toorn werklik is: “Was hulle maar wys, sou hulle verstaan en sien wat hulle lot sal wees! Hoe kan een mens duisend van hulle jaag, en hoe kan twee mense tienduisend laat vlug, as hulle Rots hulle nie verkoop het, en die Here hulle nie oorgelewer het nie?” (Deuteronomium 32:29, 30, NLV’11).

Liefde kan nie afgedwing word nie

Die wyse man verstaan dat liefde nie afgedwing kan word nie, net vryelik gegee kan word. Die oordeelkundige vrou besef die woedendste, wraaksugtigste daad wat liefde kan neem, is om die voorwerp van sy liefde te laat gaan. Weereens maak God dit duidelik dat sy woede of toorn is om te laat gaan. “Dan sal my woede teen hulle ontbrand. Ek sal hulle verlaat, my gesig vir hulle wegsteek sodat hulle agteruitgaan. In daardie tyd sal ellende en rampe hulle tref sodat hulle sal sê: ‘Hierdie swaarkry het oor ons gekom omdat God nie meer by ons is nie!’” [1] (Deuteronomium 31:17 NLV’11).

Maar waarom sou God in sulke dreigende taal deur Esegiël praat as Hy nie werklik die stad verbrand het nie? Wanneer ons kinders in gevaar is, wanneer hulle nie wil luister nie, verhef ons, as liefdevolle ouers, ons stem om te waarsku en te beskerm? “Israel is so hardnekkig soos ’n koppige koei. Moet die Here hulle dan onbeskermd laat wei soos ’n lam in die veld?” [2] (Hosea 4:16 NLV’11). God het dit gehaat dat hulle harte so hard was dat dit vir Hom nodig was om sulke harde woorde te spreek, maar die God van Liefde waag alles om sy kinders te red.


[1]American Bible Society: The Holy Bible : The Good News Translation. 2nd ed. New York : American Bible Society, 1992, S. Dt 31:17

[2]American Bible Society: The Holy Bible : The Good News Translation. 2nd ed. New York : American Bible Society, 1992, S. Ho 4:16

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Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.

 

Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 69

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Rachael H.

Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

Ashleighn C.

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

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Melissa L.

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 6

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H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 40

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I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

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