An Enemy Called Violence
Even though the Hebrews believe God to be loving, he is not found pleasant inall situations. God is helpful, rewarding, and caring in the Bible toward the people whohave faith in him; and is also known to be devastating, and at times overwhelming tohis opponents when God inflicts forces of violence. The force of violence plays amajor roll in Genesis and Exodus. Three main events in Genesis/Exodus come to mindwhen discussing the privileges of God's followers or the violence against God'sopponents. God regrets his creation of mankind and exercises force against thewicked and evil people by creating a flood to cover up his error. This error shows howGod relates to humans by making mistakes. God, however, finds Noah to be faithfuland spares his life to reward him. Joseph also finds favor in God's eyes and is keptsafe through his hardship. The force is inflicted by Joseph's brothers because they arejealous of Joseph and it would be beneficial for them if he was out of the way. Godexercises force a second time in Exodus against the Pharaoh and Egypt, because Godcares about his faithful people and wishes to free them from the Pharaoh. His
Noah's faith in God leads to thesurvival of Noah and his family. Joseph is his father's favorite son, which creates hate and jealousytoward Joseph from his own brothers and they are the source of his violent life. After the storm, God sends locusts over Egypt to eateverything that is green. The staff turns into a snake, but the Pharaoh is not convinced (Exodus 7:10). Finally, he seals his covenant with a rainbow. Since the Pharaoh does not believe in God'sexistence, God does not treat the Pharaoh with kindness. When Joseph's interpretations are proven correct, the cupbearer promisesto tell the Pharaoh about Joseph, but the cupbearer forgets and Joseph is left in prison. Hearing the cries of his mourningpeople, the Pharaoh is finally convinced, or gives in to God, and sets the Israelites andtheir livestock free (Exodus 12:31). ThePharaoh calls upon his sorcerers who perform a similar task as proof that Moses'proclamation is wrong. The purpose of God's ten plagues is not only to free the Hebrews, but also toshow God's reality, strength, and power. Joseph's faith, despite hishardships, is rewarded by God by helping him through the treacherous times andeventually leading him to his success and power in Egypt. His punishmentconsists of going to prison. He first dreams of his brothers' sheaves bowingdown to his sheaf. Despitethe accusation, Joseph is not put to death as slaves typically are. God, however,helps Joseph by again rewarding the good people for their faith.
Common topics in this essay:
Adam Eve,
Joseph Joseph,
Pharaoh God,
Exodus God,
Moses Aaron,
Egypt God,
Genesis Exodus,
Finally God,
Violence Hebrews,
Pharaoh Joseph,
ten plagues,
force violence,
pharaoh god,
forces violence,
joseph's brothers,
pharaoh convinced,
ten plagues egypt,
free hebrews,
joseph joseph,
god exercises,
joseph interprets,
god tells noah,
|
Acceptance Essays
