God Delegates His Violent Acts

March 14, 2016

2 Kings 19:29-37

Many people ask me: “How can a loving God commit such acts of violence?” My simple answer to this question is that He doesn’t act that way personally. Instead, God delegates His anger, judgments, and violence to others.

In this scene, King Hezekiah is asking for deliverance from King Sennacherib. The Assyrian king plans to destroy Jerusalem. So Hezekiah prays to God. God answers by saying that He will rescue them (2 Kings 19:29).

After God’s answer, we see a special angel act to defend Jerusalem. This special strong angel kills over 185,000 men from the Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35). So God does not directly act on the behalf of His people to defend them. Instead, He uses agents to conduct His business. In this case, we have an unnamed “Angel of the Lord” (2 Kings 19:35).

The King Sennacherib never had a chance to lead an army against Israel (2 Kings 19:37), just as God said would happen (2 Kings 19:32). As a matter of fact, he was assassinated when he returned (2 Kings 19:37).

In one of the many instances in Israel’s history, God rescues His people without a need for them to raise a finger in war. God delegates to His supernatural agents the ability to save His people.

God, is by definition good and loving. His violent desires are carried out by agents He chooses. They are used for the positive purpose of delivering His people. They do the “dirty work” so that God can concentrate on loving His people in a personal fashion.

One might ask: These actions constitute the work of a mob boss. How is God different from a mob boss? A mob boss does his work for his own good. He is selfish. He condones this violent behavior because it his purpose. However, God allows agents to do violent work on His behalf for the good of His people. There is a benevolent reason for violent acts committed in His name. They serve to help His children.

Prayer: God, thank You for delivering me. Thank You for Your agents who help me when I feel defeated. Help me trust You increasingly more every day.