Calling God a Liar
Why has my pain been perpetual and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will You indeed be to me like a deceptive stream with water that is unreliable? Jeremiah 15:18 NASB
Deceptive – My daughter called from the Navy base. “Dad, I talked to the career counselor yesterday and nothing that they told me in the line shack was true. I’m not going to be able to move to another base for at least two years. Every day I woke up thinking that I would leave soon and get away from this job I hate, but I can’t. I always thought that God would provide but now it seems like He just left me here.” What do you tell your daughter? That life isn’t fair? That we often have to deal with circumstances that aren’t what we wanted or what we were promised? That God does things with us that we just can’t figure out?
Maybe the best advice is to turn toward Jeremiah. Here is a great prophet, a man of God, known throughout the ages for his calling and his faithfulness. But look what he says. “Have You deceived me, God? Have You tricked me into doing Your will all the while knowing that I would suffer for it? Why have You not taken away my pain and my wounds when I have done all You asked of me?”
The Hebrew verse doesn’t contain the word “stream” although it is implied in the context. The focus of the Hebrew text is on kazav. It’s a very strong word. It means, “to lie, to be found a liar, to be deceitful.” Used as a noun (‘akzav), Jeremiah might as well be saying, “God, are You a liar?” Before we repudiate Jeremiah’s implication, let’s consider the circumstances of his life.
Jeremiah’s message to Israel is about the faithfulness of God in spite of Israel’s apostasy. Jeremiah proclaims that God loves Israel with an everlasting love (‘ahavat ‘olam – 31:3) and that God implores Israel to return (shuv) to Him, repent and be restored. But just the opposite seems true in Jeremiah’s own life. Thompson points out that Jeremiah suffered unceasing pain and incurable wounds and YHWH seems to have compelled him to carry out a most difficult task against his own will.[1] In fact, God refuses to allow Jeremiah to make his own choices in this regard. It might be perfectly legitimate for Jeremiah to say, “God, You lied to me. You tricked me. You promised one thing but delivered another.” And on top of that, God never relieves Jeremiah of his suffering until the day he dies. Jeremiah’s human reaction to such treatment is precisely the way we react. We all think God will take care of us because we do what He desires, but we never consider that God may have plans that include extreme difficulties for us.
I have a theory about situations like this. I believe that our suffering is a measure of God’s trust in who we are. We usually desire to have the life of those whom we consider “blessed,” and by that we mean lives of peace and comfort, satisfaction and fulfillment. But Peter clearly tells us that we should expect to share in the suffering of the Savior and Paul echoes the same perspective. God shields those whom He cannot trust to carry His heart burden by “blessing” them with easy living. He knows that if He took away His protective covering, they would fail. But for some, the ones whom God knows are capable of lifting His broken heart, the call is far more severe. Those are called to share in God’s own burden – and that means pain and heartache and unexplainable circumstances. For men and women like Jeremiah there is only one answer: God knows even if I don’t
I wonder if we don’t secretly reveal our deepest lack of trust in God when we pray for blessings and expect God to deliver them. I wonder what would happen in our lives if we asked God to trust us with His sorrow and pain. No, God didn’t lie. He let Jeremiah see His own agony. For most of us, that’s too much. But once in awhile Jeremiah comes again.
Topical Index: liar, ‘akzav, kazav, deceive, Jeremiah 15:18, suffering
[1] Cf. J. A. Thompson, The Book of Jeremiah, NICOT, p. 108.
CALENDAR UPDATE: Here is my calendar for the rest of 2013. Maybe you will be in the same part of the world and we can meet.
GOOD MORNING ALL…
I KNOW EXACTLY HOW RACHEL FEELS – BEING LIED TO & BETRAYED TIME AFTER TIME BY THE SYSTEM OF THE WORLD. IT IS HARD TO FIGURE OUT FOR SURE.
I AM STILL WITHOUT EMPLOYMENT – WORKED A FEW TEMP PROJECTS WITH MANPOWER THAT DIDN’T WORK OUT – NOT SURE WHO GOT RID OF WHO IN THE FIRST TEMP JOB BUT ANOTHER WOMAN WAS SENT THE SECOND WEEK I WAS ON ASSIGNMENT & I ENDED UP BEING THE ONE TO LEAVE & SHE STAYED BUT I WILL TELL YOU SHE FIT IN WAY BETTER THAN I DID [JUST LIKE JEREMIAH – NOT ACCEPTED MANY PLACES AT ALL]. THE SECOND ASSIGNMENT I DECLINED AFTER ONE DAY BECAUSE OF THE DRIVING DISTANCE & THE UNPROFESSIONALISM OF THE OFFICE STAFF – THAT ALSO WAS GOING ON IN THE FIRST JOB. I WAS HAPPY & RELIEVED TO BE DELIVERED FROM BOTH ASSIGNMENTS.
SO AGAIN, I SIT WAITING FOR GOD TO MOVE – YES, I DO DUE DILIGENCE BY APPLYING & SENDING OUT RESUMES & HAD A WONDERFUL INTERVIEW WITH AN INSURANCE COMPANY LESS THAN A MILE FROM WHERE I LIVE IN A BRAND NEW BUILDING WITH VIEWS TO SEE GOD’S CREATION – OPEN AIRY BEAUTIFUL & THE JOB DESCRIPTION WAS RIGHT UP MY ALLEY – SOMETHING I WOULD DELIGHT IN DOING. LIKE I WAS DONE ONCE BEFORE IN A JOB I REALLY LIKED & THOUGHT I WOULD FIT BEAUTIFULLY – THEY DIDN’T HIRE ANYONE FROM THE FIRST INTERVIEWS & PUT THE ADD FOR EMPLOYMENT AGAIN IN THE NEWSPAPER & HIRED FROM THAT ONE AS IS THE COMPANY I INTERVIEWED WITH LAST TUESDAY – I WASN’T GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER SO THEY ARE STILL LOOKING & THE ADD WAS IN THE PAPER AGAIN THIS SUNDAY. DO YOU KNOW HOW THAT FEELS – WELL RACHEL & I DO!!!
MY SON [WHICH IS A MANAGER OF AT 7-11 FOR 9 YEARS] SAYS THEY ARE HESITANT TO HIRE PEOPLE MY AGE [59] DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES & WORKERS COMP CLAIMS [WHICH I HAVE NEVER FILED]. I HAD A BUNION REMOVED 9.1.2010 & LOST MY JOB [FIRED FOR TELLING THE TRUTH – DIDN’T FIT WITH THEIR SCHEME OF THINGS WITH FREDDIE MAC] 10.13.2010 & HAVE NOT WORKED [BUT VERY SPORADICALLY] SINCE.
NOW I AM BEING SUED BY THE HOSPITAL THAT REMOVED THE BUNION ON MY RIGHT FOOT & PRESENTLY WORKING ON ANSWERS/RESPONSE TO THE SUMMONS SERVED ME LAST FRIDAY TO HOPEFULLY HAVE THE JUDGEMENT AGAINST ME DISMISSED. THEY ACT LIKE I HAVE BEEN WORKING ALL ALONG & JUST NOT WANTING TO PAY THE $4,000 OR MORE FOR THE HOSPITAL BILL. MY INSURANCE PAID THE HOSPITAL $7,000 BUT THEY WANT $4,000 MORE WHICH IS RIDICULOUS – WHEN A HOSPITAL CONTRACTS WITH AN INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY A CERTAIN AMOUNT, THAT SHOULD BE IT. THE CHARGES WERE LUDICROUS – THEY BILLED AFTER WHAT THE INSURANCE PAID. I WAS IN SURGERY 30 MIN. & IT WAS OUT PATIENT SURGERY.
I HAVE BEEN PAYING STEADILY WITH SMALL AMOUNTS TO THE SURGEON & HE LET ME DO THAT BUT THE HOSPITAL WOULD NOT TAKE LESS THAN $150 PER MONTH & I ONLY RECEIVED $187 WEEKLY WHEN DRAWING MY UNEMPLOYMENT. I FIGURED WITH THAT INCOME I MADE $4.87 PER HOUR. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT AN INCOME OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS SINCE APRIL 2012 – ON A WING & A PRAYER & GOD’S PROVISION AS BEEN SO AWESOME AS HE IS…
I HAVE HAD TO DEFER TWO HOUSE PAYMENT [MAY & JUNE] & THEY LET ME & PAID JULY’S HOUSE PAYMENT & HOPEFULLY WITH A MIRACLE OF A JOB SOON – I WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE MY AUGUST HOUSE PAYMENT WHICH WENT FROM $517 THIS MONTH TO $570 BECAUSE OF THE ESCROW OF NOT MAKING THE MAY & JUNE PAYMENTS. I KNOW GOD GAVE ME THIS HOUSE & I HAVE HEARD HIM TELL ME OVER & OVER I WILL NOT LOSE MY HOUSE BUT IT SURE GETS SCARY. MY MOTHER IS ABLE TO HELP ME BUT SHE REFUSES TO DO SO – IF SHE WERE NOT ABLE, I COULD UNDERSTAND BUT SHE IS & I’M NOT SURE GOD IS PLEASED WITH THAT BEHAVIOR BUT SHE IS NOT MY PROVISION – GOD/JESUS/HOLY SPIRIT ARE MY PROVISION & ON HIM I CAN DEPEND – IT JUST GET REALLY SCARY SOMETIMES NOT KNOWING BUT ALSO KNOWING THAT HE IS IN CONTROL & LOVES ME – BE IT GOOD OR BAD.
I KNOW MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE ALREADY HELPED ME MORE THAN ONCE & I AM NOT ASKING YOU TO IN THIS POST BUT I KNOW HOW MANY FEEL IN THIS SITUATION AT THIS TIME IN THEIR LIFE – I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE HERE EITHER BUT I DO NOT FIT IN THE THIS WORLD VERY WELL AT ALL & I’M GLAD I DON’T – BUT I AM AN EXCELLENT EMPLOYEE & I DO HAVE INTEGRITY & CHARACTER & STANDARDS BY GOD BUT THE WORLD IS NOT CONCERNED WITH THOSE ATTRIBUTES. PERSONALLY I’M NOT SURE WHAT THEY ARE SEEKING OR WANT – NOT GOD/JESUS/HOLY SPIRIT FOR SURE…
RACHEL DEAR, I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO TELL BUT JUST KEEP YOUR FAITH & DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD BUT KEEP YOUR INTEGRITY, CHARACTER & DO NO COMPROMISE JUST LIKE DANIEL – THERE WILL BE A MAN WITH US IN THE FIRE – THAT I AM SURE OF – HE HAS NEVER FAILED ME YET – HURT YES BY OTHER’S BEHAVIOR BUT I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT – HE WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM & HE DOES – LET ME ASSURE YOU – I HAVE SEEN IT MANY MANY TIMES IN MY LIFE.
I DON’T KNOW IF I AM PRAYING FOR BLESSINGS OR JUST THE ABILITY TO SURVIVE. I DON’T HAVE MUCH MATERIALLY BUT I AM COMFORTABLE & I HAVE MUCH MORE THAN MATERIAL THINGS – I HAVE RICHES IN GOD/JESUS/HOLY SPIRIT. JUST PRAY A GOOD FIT OF WORK/POSITION OF EMPLOYMENT OPENS SOON TO ME – PRAY THAT THE LAST INTERVIEW REALIZES GOD WANTS ME THERE & THERE IS NO ONE ELSE GOING TO WORK FOR $8.50 AN HOUR – HIS WILL BE DONE & NOT MINE. BUT I ALSO THINK OF THE SCRIPTURE IN LUKE 11:11 WHEN A CHILD ASKS HIS/HER FATHER FOR BREAD – THAT EVEN THE EARTHLY FATHER WOULD NOT GIVE A STONE OR A SERPENT TO HIS CHILD – HOW MUCH MORE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL ANSWER THOSE REQUESTS WITH SOMETHING GOOD.
jano
I’m responding as a father with a daughter who’s served in UAE once, Baghdad twice, and Algeria this Fall. I have a son-in-law headed to Afghanistan.
I would say to Rachel that this is a test of character and destiny in both the Navy and the Kingdom of God.
First there is Acts 17:26. She’s where she’s supposed to be.
Second is more thorny, doing what you hate. Paul covered this, now it has to be done. “Do all things as unto the Lord.” Then there’s, “Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice.”
In his autobiography, Colin Powell states that often he was sent someplace to do one job, but because of other needs and varying personnel issues, was asked to do things he wasn’t trained for because they needed to be done. He took on those assignments with a good spirit and look where he went.
This is Rachel’s choice. Many are called but few are chosen. This is why. The Greek word which you know so well is peirasmos.
Third, of all people Rachel as a Christian is the only one empowered by the Holy Spirit to get the job done (see Fruit of The Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, self-discipline). She’s got the Power. Now she has to use it.
Fourth, she was lied to. Well, she has to forgive and move on.
Fifth, Psalm 105:17-22. Though Robert Alter disagrees, an alternate KJV translation is that God put iron in Joseph’s soul. Isn’t that what this is all about, for all of us?
We have these choices: to choose courage (Joshua 1), gird up our loins (1 Peter), and press forward. Or…
OR… WHAT PETER??? jan
Thanks Skip for sharing, this perspective is most encouraging and although we forget at times, this is the consistent theme of scripture for the lives of His chosen ones. Regards.
It’s pretty tricky at times to know when to fold ’em and when to hold ’em. Most often, a true test of humility in the life of a believer, especially when working for someone else who may not share a desire to live Torah.
or “one more trip around the mountain!” lol!- Well written Peter, Joseph was “lied to” as well, thrown in prison for a crime he did not commit (falsely accused!- how tough is that!) and remained faithful during the time he spent (not a very happy time I’m sure) within the confines of a stanky Egyptian prison. At the time appointed, God not only delivered Joseph but as ~ a faithful man will abound with blessings ~ God exalted him,- second only in authority to Pharaoh. “Brighten the corner where you are” is not to far from the truth!
CARL, I’M SORRY BUT I FOUND PETER’S COMMENT LACKED COMPASSION – ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN & I WOULD NOT EXALT OR RECOMMEND ANYTHING COLIN POWELL SAID – IS HE EVEN A BELIEVER??? jan
This is a question, rather than an observation. Knowing that Christ suffered and made the supreme sacrifice by demonstrating “no greater love”, can our pain be used as a commodity? I will try to explain. It is difficult to endure what seems to us to be senseless or purposeless pain. I’m not referring to pain that comes as a result of willful or otherwise “wrong” actions. I’m also not suggesting that we go out and seek painful situations, or that we use our pain to compete with the sacrifice that Christ made for us, but merely pose the question, can we choose to take the pain we find ourselves in and ask God to use it to release someone else from theirs? Probably a dumb notion and one I’ve found no scriptural precedent for beyond the fact that we are to love one another in like manner of Christ.
Hi Bev
Try searching TW – I am sure we talked about it at the end of or the beginning of a year – don’t know what year though. You can also search: 2Sam 12:14 or bearing the iniquities of others. May be you find something there.
BEV, THE FIRST SCRIPTURE THAT COMES TO MY MIND IS THE ONE ABOUT COMFORTING THOSE WITH THE SAME COMFORT WE RECEIVED IN PAIN OR PAINFUL SITUATIONS…
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
We are, at heart, self-righteous. Now matter how we view it, we are not like those other sinners. Yes, we have our faults. But there is a spark of decency in us that God should recognize.
A wise friend would remind me, “Christians get killed in war.” God owes us nothing. Period.
Rom 9:
18 So then, he has mercy on whom he wants, and he hardens whom he wants.
19 But you will say to me, “Then why does he still find fault with us? After all, who resists his will?”
20 Who are you, a mere human being, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to him who formed it, “Why did you make me this way?”
21 Or has the potter no right to make from a given lump of clay this pot for honorable use and that one for dishonorable?
22 Now what if God, even though he was quite willing to demonstrate his anger and make known his power, patiently put up with people who deserved punishment and were ripe for destruction?
23 What if he did this in order to make known the riches of his glory to those who are the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory –
24 that is, to us, whom he called not only from among the Jews but also from among the Gentiles?
Hi Rach
This is what I have learned in feeling cheated, lied to and when life feels totally unfair:
I changed my prayer from “change them” to ” Please Father, change me – so that I can get through this!!” — And let me learn quicky and get out of the situation much stronger, more prepared for the next time -this is what growth is, not so? And many times, the quicker I learn to adapt the quicker the situation change – also – to step up means that the next step is more challenging and difficult – embrace the exercise and go for gold!
But sometimes an unfair situation is not only to built me, but so that the rest of the camp can learn from your behavior. Its about the impact Rachel has on them > it is often not the person standing in front of you that you have an influence on, but the one standing behind the door – overhearing a conversation. – They might tell the story to their grandchildren ….”there was this woman named Rachel.. …..” Except for God, you never know who is listening in….
If the whole(situation) really gets too deep and self pity oozes in – I start thinking of the physical pain of 40 lashes – one by one – what He went through – for me: ” …the men holding Yeshua made fun of him, they beat him, blindfold him … and they said many other insulting things to him.’ Luke 22:63-65 And yet, Yeshua said “This is the cup the Father has given me; am I not to drink it? John18:11
And all of these unfair, call it what you want, situations are requirements to build faith: to remember, know and see the evidences God has delivered you from in the past.
I got a call from Lara the day before yesterday: “Mommy I hate being here – …conversations are only about the next smoked-filled club/pub(sometimes after church)…..I hate the smell of bacon that fills the dorm everyday and …. I don’t think I want to become a physiotherapist any more, I hate my course(she is halfway with her degree). — all in one sentence. For now, guess what I told her…? Maybe I will have another answer tomorrow.
I DO NOT BELIEVE IN FORCING YOUR CHILDREN TO GO TO COLLEGE JUST SO THEY WILL MAKE A BETTER SALARY THAN YOU – THAT IS NOT GOD/JESUS/HOLY SPIRIT. SO MANY PARENT’S FORCE & COERCE THEIR CHILDREN TO GO TO COLLEGE, PLAY SPORTS, WHATEVER – TO FULFILL THEIR DREAMS FOR THEM & THAT IS NOT GOD’S WILL.
CHILDREN & PARENT’S SHOULD SEEK GOD’S WILL ON/FOR THEIR CHILDREN & STOP FORCING THEM TO LIVE THE LIFE THE WISH THEY HAD. NOT ALL PEOPLE ARE MEANT TO GO TO COLLEGE OR THE MILITARY. WE DIDN’T HAVE CHILDREN TO MAKE THEM DO WHAT WE WANT THEM TO OR FORCE THEM TO STAY IN SOMETHING THEY ARE VERY UNHAPPY DOING. THAT IS SO SAD TO ME. OUR CHILDREN BELONG TO GOD – LET HIM HAVE HIS WILL IN THEIR LIFE NOT FORCE OUR WILL ON THEM TO DO WHAT WE WANT THEM TO DO – THAT IS SO UNFAIR & CHILDREN WILL DO WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO EVEN IF THEY ARE MISERABLE BECAUSE THEY SEEK THEIR PARENT’S APPROVAL & LOVE & FEEL THEY ARE FAILING YOU IF THEY DON’T DO WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO… 🙁
I totally agree with you!! Especially if the him you are talking about is Him. What my children do is absolutely between them and God.
She prayed about following a medical career for 2 years prior to starting and has enjoyed every moment until now. And if this is what God wants her to do, then she must learn to also listen to Him now, when things are not so good according to her own view( which may not be His view – good/happiness according to myself is still the sin of the Garden). Much worse failing God than failing me…
BTW I will never force my child to do any kind of medicine since I do not believe in the traditional way people see/use medicine( witchcraft) or doctors. I follow the health according to scripture approach- sin makes you sick, repent! – Henry Wright, Paul Nison and Torah.