Why did God use the three astrologers if they used astrology to find jesus's star?And balaam
if he was a soothsayer?Is it just because God is all powerful so he can do what ever he wants?
Oh. You double posted.
I just gave an answer in the other one.
I'll bring it over here, since this seems to be more active.
These are very good questions.
Being familiar with God as he is described in the Bible helps. In other words, getting to know God's ways is very important.
First. God's name יהוה - YHWH or, JHVH, commonly known in English, as Jehovah, is taken from the Hebrew verb ha·wahʹ (become) and means “He Causes to Become”.-
Strong's Hebrew: 1961. הָיָה (hayah) -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be
Jehovah explained what this should mean for his people, at
Exodus 3.
(
Exodus 3:13-15) 13 But Moses said to the true God: “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your forefathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is his name?’ What should I say to them?” 14 So God said to Moses: “I Will Become What I Choose to Become.” And he added: “This is what you are to say to the Israelites, ‘I Will Become has sent me to you.’” 15 Then God said once more to Moses: “This is what you are to say to the Israelites, ‘Jehovah the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered from generation to generation.
.Jehovah was really saying to Moses, who wanted to be able to give the slaves in Egypt a basis, for believing that God was going to deliver them, "Look Moses. This is my name. I will become... what ever I will become, to carry out, or fulfill my purpose."
In other words, I will become, or cause to become, whatever is needed to carry out my will. i.e. Nothing can prevent me from fulfilling my purpose, because I will act accordingly to fulfill it.
Therefore, with that in mind, Jehovah can appoint kings, in power, to carry out his will, as he has done in the case of Nebuchadnezzar, and others.
He can also thwart the efforts of people.
Secondly. We must come to know that Jehovah also deals with people in a loving way.
The Bible says "God is love".
He gives people opportunity to "get it right" - to adjust.
So in the case of Balaam, while Jehovah did not approve of Balaam's "skills", he gave him the opportunity to adjust his ways.
If you read the account with that understanding, you will see that Jehovah was angry that Balaam still wanted to go. He gave him opportunity to change his mind, when the angel stood in the road.
However, Jehovah realized that Balaam was bent on going, so he said, "Okay. Go." but he turned the curse (which obviously Balaam intended for reward) into a blessing. Balaam could only speak what God made him speak.
So Jehovah reversed the situation, which was in harmony with his will. Of course, Jehovah could have allowed Balaam to curse them and then deal with the trouble (which Satan would bring) the Israelites faced after, but he choose to prevent that.
Balaam still wanted the money though, and came up with a plan, to cause Israel to fall. Greedy man he was.
In the case of the astrologers, Jehovah did not guide them to jesus. The same situation with Balaam was the case here.
Balaam's activity made him an instrument of Satan, and would have caused trouble for Israel. It was against them. Satan was behind it.
Likewise, the astrologers' activity made them an Instrument of Satan, and Satan was using them to destroy the promised seed. So Satan led them by the star, with a plan in mind.
His plan became evident, when the star stopped, or vanished.
(
Matthew 2:9, 10) 9 After they had heard the king, they went their way, and look! the star they had seen when they were in the East went ahead of them until it came to a stop above where the young child was. 10 On seeing the star, they rejoiced with great joy.
Notice they lost the star, and went into Herod. Satan led them to the person whom he could insight to act according to his plan - destroy the baby Jesus. Mission accomplished.
However, the mission failed when Jehovah intervened.
(
Matthew 2:12) However, because they were given divine warning in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
Did you notice something else that is similar in these two accounts?
In both accounts, Jehovah communicated with those involved. Je didn't kill them, although he could, but rather, he appealed to their heart,
Unlike Balaam, the astrologers, heeded, and avoided going to Herod.
This shows how merciful Jehovah is. He takes into consideration the situation. It is likely that these men had a good heart, but were led into divination.
In that case, Jehovah demonstrated his love, and spare them.
Perhaps at another opportunity they might change.
That's how Jehovah sees you Frank - as misled... misled by the desire for uncanny powers.
I don't know how you were influenced into it. Jehovah knows. ...but he is pleading with you to be adjusted.
Balaam didn't heed, and he suffered the penalty.
It is my hope that you will come to see, in time, during the opportunities Jehovah is giving you.
Time is running out.
