One of the nagging questions I had was answered this morning as I was listening to the audio Bible in my car on the way to work this morning. The question is: Why did God allow Hitlers of the world to live when taking out just one individual would have saved so many?

I’m somewhat of a WWII buff and watched and read all kinds of documentaries and books on the subject. The millions of lives lost during that time really only comes down to only a few men who were at the helm. Hitler was one of the few. There had been several attempts at taking him out but failed every time. Even a godly Christian pastor in Dietrich Bonhoeffer was involved with an assassination attempt, but that failed also. He was hanged for treason only a few weeks before the war was over. Why? It would have been so easy for God to take just one man out to spare so many millions! Why didn’t God do it?

I read a similar story in Exodus. There was just one man in charge of Egypt – Pharaoh. Moses goes to him to let his people go. But he refuses each time. 10 plagues ensue. And Egypt is plundered. They go bankrupt and millions are killed (All their first-born). But as I was reading (or listening) to the story, I thought, “Why didn’t God take out Pharaoh? It was because of one man’s stubbornness that millions are suffering. It would have been an easy thing for God to take out Pharaoh and spare the lives of millions! Why didn’t God do it?

I find the answer in Exodus 9:16. “But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” Exodus 9:16

It was so that God would be glorified. God is glorified most, I believe, when His followers love and obey Him. But He is also glorified when His enemies rebel against Him and are spectacularly destroyed! His love is displayed in those who obey. His power is displayed in those who disobey.

Lesson learned: God cares deeply about His glory. He will save billions to display His glory. He will also let millions be destroyed to display His glory. God is a God of love and holiness.

Fear Him. Love Him. Make much of Him.

Don’t put God first, family second, work third, and church fourth.

Put God first in God, God first in family, God first in work, and God first in church.

PH