By Daniel Rendelman ~ emetministries@gmail.com
Many have wondered if the devastating earthquake that struck the poor nation of Haiti on January 12, 2009 was an act of judgment by the Almighty. Such a question has spawned harsh comments by televangelist Pat Robertson, who said the quake that potentially killed half a million people was because Haiti made a "pact with the devil" and have been "cursed" ever since. Radio host Rush Limbaugh joined into the controversy, by stating that Americans didn't need to donate to any Haiti relief funds. Limbaugh told a caller on his radio show that "we've already donated to Haiti - it's called the U.S. income tax." Was the 7.0 magnitude quake an act of God? Should Christians reach out to help those in need?
Many describe the "God of the Old Testament," as an angry judge of the world that sent His son to save mankind from the religion of Judaism. This is not so. Such an idea of a bearded man with lightening bolts and a huge throne relate more to Greek Mythology than the Bible. The Scriptures state that the Creator "did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved," John 3:17.
Part of the Messiah's ministry was to restore the mercy and grace of the Law that was given by Moses. He did not come to start a new religion, or write a second portion of the Bible called the "New Testament." John 1:17 states, "The Torah was given by Moses and its unmerited favor and truth were revealed by *Y'shua." The Law of Moses explains that when bad things occur, such as natural disasters, it is not God in Heaven enacting judgment on mankind. If this were so, no city could stand. San Francisco, Las Vegas, or New York would have been destroyed long ago. (*Y'shua is the Hebrew name of the Savior, given to Him by the angels in Luke 1. He was never called "Jesus" when He walked this earth.)
The Almighty has physical and spiritual laws in place that administer justice and punishment of sin. He also has laws that send blessings to the person who obeys the precepts of the Bible. People and nations do reap what they sow, but it is not God cursing them. Sometimes things happen because people have cursed themselves. Other times, natural events just occur! The Almighty Father isn't up in heaven pouting because he didn't get to kill everyone in Haiti. No, He perfectly balances justice and mercy. Perhaps it was mercy that the earthquake hit Haiti, and not Miami? Or maybe it was *YHWH's mercy that the quake was a 7.0, and not a 10 on the Richter scale? (*YHWH is the Hebrew name of the Almighty as given to Moses at the burning bush. This name is hidden in English Bibles behind the all capitalized words "LORD" and "GOD.")
Billy Graham once said that "If God doesn't judge America, then God will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah." This is NOT true! If YHWH does judge America then, He will have to apologize to Y'shua! The Bible says that "YHWH was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though YHWH were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Messiah's behalf: Be reconciled to YHWH. For YHWH made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of YHWH," 2 Corinthians 5:19-21.
When Y'shua died, He paid the price for forgiveness of all sins past, present, and future. His death was the judgment for all sin, including Haiti's rebellion. Bible believers should be praying for those in Haiti, and helping meet the needs of the less fortunate. Robertson, Limbaugh, and Graham can say what they want. The Savior said, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy."
