Tony\'s God (Introduction)

by DragonsHeart , Saturday, November 19, 2011, 19:58 (4754 days ago) @ Balance_Maintained

Speaking of the sacrifices made by Cain and Abel

Abel's sacrifice was of the first born of the flock, the fattest lambs. It is not mentioned that Cain's were the first-fruits..it was just that Cain proceeded to bring "some" fruits. Cain saved the best for himself, while Abel offered the best to God. Would you want someone to give you a gift that obviously was only because they felt obligated and had no real desire to give it, so they just gave you whatever?

As far as Abraham and Isaac, Tony, it wasn't so much that God wanted to know that they were WILLING to sacrifice, rather, it was a test of Abraham's faith. It was after this incident that Abraham was blessed and told that God would multiply his seed like the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore, and his seed would take possession of the gates of his enemies.

Job was certainly blessed by God, and God allowed Satan to take away his children, his lands, his livestock. He was covered in a boil from head to foot, and yet did not curse the name of God. In turn, all that he had was restored to him(not the same seven daughters and 3 sons, but he was given more children).

I do agree with Tony's thoughts on the Israelites in Egypt though, and the hardening of Pharaoh's heart. God protected His chosen people, but had to allow them to endure hardships for many generations before they reached the Promised Land. But it was a later Pharaoh's heart that hardened. It was Ramses II, who was Pharaoh during the time of Moses and the Exodus. It was required to prove to the Israelites that Moses HAD been sent to be their deliverer out of Egypt.