God Seems so Mean!

by Zeke Flores

One of the objections many have against God is that He seems so ... mean.  Indeed, throughout a reading of the major prophets, God has consistently warned about the catastrophic devastation He would bring not only upon His own people but also upon pagan nations. Again and again, He denounced their behavior, whether it was sexual immorality (God gave the sexual urge to humans, and since He “invented” it, He has the right to regulate it), greed, oppression and extortion, theft, murder, or idolatry.

The implication is that man has a choice, which determines not only his immediate gratification but also his future condition. “But why can't I just get to do what I want?” some wonder. The truth is, you can. God gives each of us the will to choose and the information regarding the consequences of our choice. He’ll punish offenses and reward obedience. And that’s His right.

While some may grumble at a “mean” God who denounces and punishes what He doesn’t like, it’s important to realize that, as the Creator and Sustainer of all, He is absolutely within His authority to regulate human behavior.

So, we can heed His word and live according to His good pleasure, or we can ignore it and live according to our own selfish desires. But living according to His will doesn’t mean life will be unbearably dull. You may find that it’s the best decision you could have ever made. Choose, but choose carefully.

"I will judge you according to your ways and bring all your abominations upon you. ... According to their conduct I will deal with them, and by their judgments I will judge them. And they will will know that I am Yahweh." (Ezekiel 7:3, 27).