OK then.. God allows it.
What was it that he commanded Moses and his army to do again?
What is the punishment for witchcraft? For false prophets? For rape? Adultery?
Moses was a messenger of God, no?
Moses was a prophet of God correct. Yes it's true in the OT there were some brutal events and I'm not going to ignore it, though you can understand it more in light of the NT, people couldn't live up to the law of God nor his standards, which is why we needed to be shown we need a savior. God was dealing with a people (Israel) that didn't have the power of their own to deal with & defeat demons, thus he was very active in their affairs. Anything against God is evil. I don't know how God's overall plan works, though as New Testament believes we are in a new covenant with God, and now we have the power to deal with & defeat demons on our own because now we have the power & authority of God's Spirit within us.
I don't focus so much on God's old covenant with Israel, because it was exclusive to dealing with those certain people. I focus on Jesus, whom is the full manifestation of God, extending a relationship to all people and not just those who are Jewish. You can now say the punishment for sin has been paid for. There's still consequences for certain things don't get me wrong, but there's no condemnation for anyone who is in Christ. Anyone who died before Christ's time had the chance to be redeemed when he died. Don't ask me how it all works because it's too much for any single mind to fathom and I'm no scholar.
rickolasnice said:
What does the new Testament say about slavery?
The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it. "But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given." (Luke 12:47-48 NLT)
Thanks for bringing that up. I'm glad you pointed out those verses in Luke because I think you may be misunderstanding the meaning. It's not really referring to literal slavery at all. If you read the chapter or verses prior the those you will see what's actually happening. Just before those verses it talks about being prepared for the arrival of the Son of Man.
"Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (v.40).
In the following verses you're referring to, Jesus is speaking a parable about the servants of their masters house waiting for his arrival. As Christian's, we're all servants of our master (God); servants of righteousness (Ref. Romans 6:18). When some of the servants begin to become impatient because the master hasn't arrived yet, they started to eat for themselves, get drunk, and beat other servants. When the master (the Lord) arrives (the second coming) those servants who he finds doing what is right and waiting are blessed;
"Blessed is that servant who his master will find so doing when he comes" (v.44). The other servants who were beating their fellow servants... well you quoted what will happen to them.
In Matthew 20:26-27 Jesus says
"Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, also let him be your servant."
To your other quote:
Christians who are slaves should give their masters full respect so that the name of God and his teaching will not be shamed. If your master is a Christian, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. You should work all the harder because you are helping another believer by your efforts. Teach these truths, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. (1 Timothy 6:1-2 NLT)
You must understand at this time how prevalent slavery was, so it needed to be addressed by Paul to encourage both slave owners and slaves to honor one another and treat one another kindly. In many cases people chose or had to become slaves to simply survive, needing food and shelter, of course that can't say that for all circumstances. A good example of this is found after the people of Israel had been freed from slavery in Egypt. On their way to the promised land they got lost and complained against Moses saying they would rather return as slaves in Egypt, having food and drink, than to die in the wilderness. Thankfully for the people, Moses had faith and instead of grumbling he prayed so thus did God provide for them. etc etc
In modern days, we can look at those passages and apply it to our work. We are servants of an employer (hopefully). And we should treat our boss with respect and work hard.
Matthew 13:10-15 said:
And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
rickolasnice said:
Which, by the way, kinda contradicts: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Since a parable is figurative speech it must have reflection for understanding. Only those who are prepared to explore its meaning can come to know it. "Seeing they do not see, hearing they do not hear," therefore they don't understand. The words used for "the mysteries" refer to a designated divine plan affecting the course of history that can only be known when it's revealed. Knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven means recognition that the kingdom has become present in the ministry of Jesus. "For whoever has, to him more will be given... whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away," this is talking about knowledge and wisdom. God gives further understanding to one who accepts the revealed mysteries, from the one who does not, he will take it away. Keep in mind the context Jesus is talking to the disciples (they were sinners); it's surrounded by verses talking about the revealed "Word" that will produce fruit or not produce fruit depending on how a person receives and uses it. You harvest what you plant, sow what you reap (spiritually). It's not talking about money.
The way you use it sounds contradicting, but in it's proper context they are totally unrelated sayings. Jesus can't save someone who has faith in themselves as self-righteous, what need of Him would they have? He saves those who know and admit they aren't totally healthy and righteous (spiritually speaking). We have dirty, disgusting, filthy thoughts and actions at times in our life. The self righteous pharisees Jesus was talking to thought they were exalted godly people and could stand before God in good standing since they weren't associating with sinners like Jesus was. When you realize that God is a holy God, perfect in righteousness, and that on our own we can't live up to his standards, we can't match his perfection, you recognize the need for one who is holy and perfect in righteousness, Jesus Christ, the righteousness of God living in us. The only righteousness one can have before God is in Christ.
Peace & Love
