Why Did God Do That? Discovering God’s Goodness in the Hard Passages of ScriptureSýnishorn

Years ago, when Josh McDowell's son was in grade school, he took Sean to see one of the Superman movies. Afterward, they went to a local diner for dessert. For more than an hour, they discussed all the similarities between Superman and Jesus they could think of. What a great teaching tool!

Just three of the similarities:

1. Both came to earth from somewhere else.

2. Both had a dual identity. (Superman was the reporter Clark Kent and a superhero. Jesus was a fully human Jewish man and God incarnate.)

3. Both sacrificed themselves in tremendous ways.

Josh wanted to instill Christlike qualities into his son, and it helped to show him that Sean's personal superheroes displayed qualities that matched the character of Christ.

The Bible contains a long lineup of heroic figures—people who get a lot of screen time in Scripture because God used them in powerful ways. But if you and I were to copy some of their actions or characteristics, we would likely end up in prison!

For example, King David, the godly man God chose to rule Israel and establish a dynasty of kings (1 Samuel 16:7), also had a hand in murder. Worse, he committed the deed to cover up the fact that he had gotten his victim’s wife pregnant (2 Samuel 11). But this was not David’s only failing. He was an uninvolved father who didn't properly discipline his children. Eventually, one of David's sons would rape one of his sisters. Another son would blatantly try to steal David's throne (2 Samuel 13–15).

And then there was Jacob, the conniving second son of Isaac. Jacob stole the birthright of Esau, his older brother, and later manipulated the breeding of his father-in-law’s cattle to increase his own herd. Of all the men God could have chosen to become the patriarch of the 12 tribes of Israel, he chose Jacob.

How could God align himself with such bad people? Why would he give them a platform of leadership?

In Hebrews 11, the Bible’s Hall of Fame, Moses, David, Jacob, and other troubled individuals are commended as people of faith. Verse 16 tells us that “God is not ashamed to be called their God.” The Bible not only gives us troubling examples of moral integrity but also raises questions about the God who chose them for such great tasks.

To understand why God used murderers, liars, cheaters, and frauds, we must step outside our modern culture. We live in a time when people try not to be associated with others who experience moral failure. This withdrawal of association may sometimes be necessary, especially when we don't want to send the message that we endorse their behavior. But the Bible shows us that God doesn't disassociate from people who aren't perfect. This is good news for us!

In Mark 2:15, we see Jesus reclined at a table as he ate with individuals who were immoral and despised by society’s upstanding citizens. Commentator James Brooks points out that “in [Jesus’] society, table fellowship was one of the most intimate expressions of friendship.” This explains why the religious teachers of the law were deeply offended. “Why does he eat with such people?” they asked. Jesus responded to them in Mark 2:17: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

God associates with sinners! He doesn’t do this despite our sin but because of our sin. Jesus treats us as friends because his method of healing is profoundly relational. He is not afraid of how his associations might tarnish his reputation. Because his character can't be tarnished! If we criticize God for using people like Moses, Jacob, and David, we miss the point of God’s lavish grace. We become like those offended religious teachers, blinded by our own moral piety.