By contrast, the God we read about in the New Testament (the same One) is much more loving and accepting, even more tolerant of “questionable” characters like prostitutes, tax collectors, and those who don’t appear to be doing their share of the work. Jesus taught by story and example, rather than fiery episodes and boils and frogs.
Perhaps, as time has gone by, we have all grown or adjusted in our understandings of how we should be and what is expected of us. Perhaps we have gotten more comfortable with God’s acceptance and love, maybe even expecting it without regard to our behavior…?
And, maybe even God has “adjusted” in His/Her own ways to the passing developments time has offered, like observing how folks have reacted to the Commandments, to the consequences doled out over the millennia, even to becoming a parent, and losing a child.
Perhaps we could say the God has “cut us some slack” over the years and allowed us to get by with more and more “bad” behaviors. Anyone else think that our sense of morality, tolerance of others’ differences, and commitment to the bottom line has slid into a low state of affairs? Do we see boldness in our leaders wanting power and serving themselves more than ever before, at least here in America?
Maybe God took a long look at us in the year 2020 and said, “My children, have you forgotten My commandments?” And, receiving the answer, “Yes” from too many of us, decided it was time for a lesson once again…after all these many years, a new plague to remind us who we are, Whose we are, and help us to remember once again His/Her undying faithfulness to us…maybe in a punitive way, like we remember from the Old Testament…? Has anyone else had these thoughts in this dark year of 2020?
Maybe if we could all pull together, get along, care for each other, and remember what is important, this too shall pass. Hopefully we can move forward without any more pandemic, with a bright new start… and I think we are headed there now. Are you with me?
