Because God Said So
General Douglas MacArthur, on losing the Philippines in World War II, said to reporters,
The President of the United States ordered me to break through the Japanese lines and proceed from Corregidor to Australia for the purpose, as I understand it, of organizing the American offensive against Japan, a primary objective of which is the relief of the Philippines. I came through and I shall return.
These words were prophetic. For two years he lead an armada of Allied warships and marines to attack the Japanese, which led to a US victory. And of course, this implied that he liberated the Philippines from the Japanese. The way it looks, we could have believed General MacArthur because he said the words. However, MacArthur could have failed and his words would be considered a lie. If this were the case, could he really be considered a liar? Not really. It seems he had all intentions in keeping his promise, and he was not intending to deceive anyone. However, a failure would have certainly tarnished his reputation.
Ever since the fall of humanity into Sin, God has promised a Messiah. The Old Testament is full of promises of a Savior.
Daniel 9: 25 –27 is just one example. Let us read this passage,
Daniel 9: 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Daniel 9: 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Daniel 9: 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
This prophecy tells us when Christ’s ministry would start – 483 years after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem: specifically, in the year 27 AD. The prophecy also refers to how his ministry would start, what it was about, and how it would end. The prophecy tells us how and when his ministry would end. Jesus Christ fits this prophecy perfectly. But, do we believe Him because He did fulfill the prophecy or because He said it so? Is there a difference? Does it matter? What did Moses have to go on when he accepted God’s call? A burning and talking bush? A few tricks with rod and arm? Can a God that does this actually free a people from the most powerful nation of the world? Is this all it took for Moses to believe?
At one point Moses believed God because God said so. Yes, Moses could look back in his life and refer to God’s wonders – hence the importance of learning our history (Deuteronomy 6:7). He could say, "He was faithful before, therefore I can trust that he will still be faithful." Why? Because, God - unlike human beings -never changes and He is not a man that he should lie (Numbers 23:19). How many of us have acquired impeccable track records only to throw it all away with a silly error? God’s track record is impeccable, but we still need to trust that He will continue to keep His word. Do you?
