Colin Wong Supporter Founder, eBible.com

This passage, written by the prophet Hosea, speaks of Samaria, the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, captured by the Assyrians in 722 BC. Its population was decimated, a few alive taken in captivity and deported. 

The people of the northern kingdom sinned and rebelled against God. In turn, God withdrew His protection and blessings. Israel's enemy, the Assyrians then invaded, conquered and destroyed Israel completely. 

The question of cruelty, as "sanctioned" by God is a common argument that atheists use, in claiming that our God is either evil and cruel, or that there is no God. However, this argument supposes that God "creates" evil in the first place. 

To counter this argument, we only need to understand "evil" happens in the absence of God. Just as darkness is nothing but the absence of light, evil is the absence of good. When we, humans, disobey and rebel against God, we are the ones who turn God away. Our heavenly Father is a "gentleman". He will not intrude or force his way into your life. If you choose not to open the door to Him, he will not show up. It's something to do with free will but that's another story.

When the northern kingdom rebelled and worshiped other false gods, God withdrew his protection and blessing. Israel's enemy seized on this opportunity, came in and the Israelites "fell by the sword, their little ones dashed in pieces and their pregnant women ripped open." Not by God, but by the enemy, the Assyrians. 

The choices we make every day is simple. When we obey and SUBMIT to the authority of our heavenly Father, we live in His protection and blessing. When we choose to live sinful lives, UNREPENTANT in our evil ways, we close the door on God and live outside of His protection, blessing and grace.

Let me end by quoting Hosea 4:6.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from serving as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God. I will also forget your sons.

Shall we then, be unrepentant, like the northern kingdom? Or shall we submit to our Lord Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, and live in His blessing and grace? The choice is up to you.

May 15 2013 • 6 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Anonymous

I had a long time friend who was neither Christian nor atheist.  She would discredit the virgin birth, find things in the bible to always discredit God as wicked, and bloody. she would say things like  "Christians are such hypocrites" etc... etc...  At the time I was not reading the bible myself but when God touched me, I started to read the bible chapter to chapter and began to know the facts and understand it myself.  Through prayer I asked God constantly to help me understand the bible when I read.  So after some years when I could really quote the bible for any and every situation, I started to question my friend about her knowledge of  God and the bible.  She stopped calling me and I haven't heard from her again.  
Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  If you don't read and study the bible to know it cover to cover by yourself, people can mislead you. That my friend will not help your growth in Christ Jesus.  So be careful whom you listen to. Psalm 14:1 says it is only a fool that says there is no God.

June 22 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Joann Schlachter Supporter

God didn't do these things. It is prophesy of what would be. Just because I know something is going to happen does not mean I am the cause of it happening.

July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Zion Sandhya Supporter grace be with you

the babies of god's chosen ones pregnant women were killed by god's wrath.

certainly doesn't seem what a loving god would do. How could god do that?
the answer is a question ' why should he not?'
 then Israel was filled with sin, they rebelled with god and angered him..
but god in his mercy thought about the children, if the child grows up in a sinful world. they will be full of sin ie.. ETERNITY IN HELL.
so  GOD let them DIE because THEN HE COULD Raise THEM UP IN HEaVEN..( 2samuel david's last response)

FLESH IS TEMPORARY. GOD SAVED THE SOULS OF KIDS FROM ETERNaL DOOM OF BURNING HELL

May 15 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kevin Baines Supporter

the scriptures in psalm 14:1 "THE FOOL HATH SAID IN his heart there is no GOD!!! why answer a fools question? will they open their hearts and receive or will the be like a pharisee and after you have shut their mouths about this question they'll dig deeeeep to find another one to prove their false and fictional theory about the truth? our Lord also explained to us to not cast our pearls before swine and don't give that which is sacred to dogs for they turn around and rend you or tear you into pieces(matthew 6:7) atheist need salvation too don't get it twisted but most of them don't really want the truth they just want to trip you up and ask foolish and unlearned questions! start asking them questions like have you ever lied before(yes) have you ever thought a really bad thought and even acted out in an unrighteous way(yes) well why then you knowing your a sinner won't submit yourself to a trustworthy LOVING ALL KNOWING GOD :) PRAISE THE LORD:) tell them if they want the answers seek GOD the one they're rejecting HE has the answer it's HIS book HE has the power to give them understanding and HE'LL do it! you may catch one that will hear you so don't stop giving them truth but ask the Lord for discernment on what questions to answer and which ones to leave alone :) Peace and GOD BLESS

May 16 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report