Is God Unreasonable?

First, there was Eve. Then there was Isaac, then Joshua, and then an obscure prophet.

We might call it a scam. We try to guard against the clever hoax. Politicians spin the truth. Many marketers masterfully manipulate the eyes, and ears, and minds of potential buyers. They do so with digital photo deception, fine print, psychological trickery, crafty word play, and the absence of information. It is all called DECEPTION!

Deception may be the cruelest of lies. It is often compelling because the message seems believable; falsehood mixed with truth. Or, the lie is hidden because the messenger is believed to be trustworthy. Ultimately, however, deception is just a lie.

When God confronted Eve with her sin, she blamed the serpent, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Read about in Genesis 3.)

When Isaac was old and nearly blind, his son Jacob disguised himself as the firstborn son so that he could receive the coveted blessing from his father. Isaac was horrified when he realized the deception, yet he had already spoken. (Read about it in Genesis 27.)

People from the nearby city of Gibeon disguised themselves as foreigners from a faraway place when they visited Israel. Joshua and the leaders of Israel were deceived into making a covenant with the Gibeonites, and going against the Lord’s instruction. (Read about it in Joshua 9.)

A nameless prophet of God was instructed not to eat or drink in the place where he prophesied and not to return home by the same route. An old prophet intercepted him on his return trip and said that he had received new instruction from an angel. The old prophet was believed to be trustworthy. (Read about it in 1 Kings 13.)

Eve was deceived; Isaac was deceived; Joshua and the leaders of Israel were deceived; the nameless prophet was deceived. AND YET, each one was held accountable. These incidents stand as a bold reminder:

• Truth exists!
• Even if we are deceived, God still holds us accountable for our beliefs, our choices, and our actions.
• Being deceived is never an excuse for unbelief, for poor decisions, or for sin.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

—Ephesians 5:6 (ESV)

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality…will inherit the kingdom of God.

—1 Corinthians 6:9 (ESV)

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 

—1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 

—1 John 3:7 (ESV)

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh….

—2 John 7 (ESV)

Buy truth, and do not sell it!

—Proverbs 23:23 (ESV)

All of this overwhelmingly emphasizes that truth does exist. For that reason, God is not unreasonable when it comes to deception. He expects us to find the truth He revealed.

Pursue truth!

Mark Stinnett

April 23, 2023