When the statement is made, "Their sufferings are often represented
as a punishment visited upon them by the direct decree of
God .. ." there is no direct evaluation in the sentence itself attesting
to its being a correct or incorrect assessment of God's works.
However, there is the inference that it is not right in that it is rated
as being the more commonly held representation. Knowing that
the majority are deluded in this sphere, it is correct to assess this
as an incorrect evaluation. This is confirmed by the next sentence
which directly charges it with being a device of Satanic origin designed
to shift the blame from the devil to God. "It is thus that the
great deceiver seeks to conceal his own work."
So, not only is the above idea the result of wrong principles of Bible
interpretation, it is also the very means employed by the devil
to conceal the true nature of his own work, by attributing it to God,
while to himself he credits the work and character of God. Therefore,
it is to be rejected for what it is—a dangerous philosophy of
Satan. While his view is entertained, it is impossible to form correct
concepts of God's character.
Further, we are informed that the Lord did not leave of His own
choice. It was the Jews who "had caused the protection of God to be
withdrawn from them," thus permitting Satan to finally work his
evil designs upon them.
Then there is laid down forever the precious truth that "God does
not stand toward the sinner as an executioner of the sentence
against transgression; but He leaves the rejectors of His mercy to
themselves, to reap that which they have sown." What befell the
Jews was the natural outworking of their own course of action. It
was not something brought upon them by God. They had sown the
seed; now they must gather the certain harvest.
We have before us a revelation of the course God pursued toward
the Israelites which is the same as that with Saul. It is now necessary
to find how God Himself described what He did.
F.D.Wright
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