God Manipulates Regions of People for His Purposes - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Genesis 35:5,

"Then they set out, and the terror of God fell upon the towns all around them so that no one pursued them."

This comment is made by Moses after he gives the account of Simeon and Levi slaughtering the men of Shechem. Keil and Delitzsch call this a "supernatural terror that came upon the cities round about, so that they did not venture to pursue the sons of Jacob on account of the cruelty of Simeon and Levi." Here is an example of God setting or bringing about an outlook, a perspective, a "mood" for an entire region.

Another example of this is in the book of Joshua where Rahab admitted to the Israeli spies that fear had overcome the inhabitants of Palestine because of what the Lord had done, Joshua, chapter 2. In Exodus 9:16 God has Moses tell Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." God had hardened Pharaoh's heart so that the events became so dramatic it insured the story would reach Palestine and still be an active story 40 years later when Joshua would lead Israel across the Jordan to take possession of the Promised Land. Paul observes this in Romans 9 and quotes Exodus 9:16. Paul's point is that God uses who he wants in order to effect what he desires, even the wicked.

I find it just fascinating how God can and will influence perceptions, thought, and reactions over entire regions in order to carry out his agenda. With Pharaoh we see an artful manipulation by God to set the stage for Israel's conquest of Palestine. Looking to their own strength relative to the challenge, the Israelites missed what God had done, his contribution to the effort, and it cost them severely.

I wonder from time to time how often we find ourselves in situations that God might have crafted or manipulated for his purposes, to further his agenda in the world today. It is just intriguing to me to see how he works.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.