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Philip Yancey had an excellent book about this. (It's either Disappointment with God or Where Is God When It Hurts? -- I have both but right now they're packed away or I'd look it up.)
Mr. Yancey did a thorough study of the Israelites' journey to Canaan, and was particularly drawn to the time when God lived among the people in the form of a cloud (if I remember correctly.) Not just the pillar of cloud that led them by day, but an actual cloud amidst the camp (Numbers 9:17.) If the cloud moved, they knew it was time to move along and follow God.
Mr. Yancey points out that this is almost exactly how the people of today wish it would be--God's will could be conveniently checked round-the-clock--no guessing there!!
But he also makes the unsettling observation that God's presence and contact did not result in obedience or even a relationship with God. Despite all the miracles and demonstrations they'd seen, all the Israelites of that generation (over 20 years old) were struck down due to unbelief and disobedience, even though they literally had God's presence and will right in front of them.
And the people literally begged Moses to go up on the mountain, talk with God by himself, and then bring back whatever word He had for them because they couldn't/didn't want to handle all this direct contact with God themselves.
Mr. Yancey points out the same thing about miracles in the New Testament--they produced hoards of fans, but not many followers (how many people stood up for Jesus at His crucifixion, or even continued to follow Him when He taught Biblical principles?)
He makes the excellent point that this might be the very reason why God doesn't seem to do as many miracles today and why He doesn't give us the "clear" direction we think we want.
Human history implies, again and again, that it really won't make any difference.
Mr. Yancey did a thorough study of the Israelites' journey to Canaan, and was particularly drawn to the time when God lived among the people in the form of a cloud (if I remember correctly.) Not just the pillar of cloud that led them by day, but an actual cloud amidst the camp (Numbers 9:17.) If the cloud moved, they knew it was time to move along and follow God.
Mr. Yancey points out that this is almost exactly how the people of today wish it would be--God's will could be conveniently checked round-the-clock--no guessing there!!
But he also makes the unsettling observation that God's presence and contact did not result in obedience or even a relationship with God. Despite all the miracles and demonstrations they'd seen, all the Israelites of that generation (over 20 years old) were struck down due to unbelief and disobedience, even though they literally had God's presence and will right in front of them.
And the people literally begged Moses to go up on the mountain, talk with God by himself, and then bring back whatever word He had for them because they couldn't/didn't want to handle all this direct contact with God themselves.
Mr. Yancey points out the same thing about miracles in the New Testament--they produced hoards of fans, but not many followers (how many people stood up for Jesus at His crucifixion, or even continued to follow Him when He taught Biblical principles?)
He makes the excellent point that this might be the very reason why God doesn't seem to do as many miracles today and why He doesn't give us the "clear" direction we think we want.
Human history implies, again and again, that it really won't make any difference.
It gets heated, but if you survive you can make a career telling war stories
The worst thing about The Slaughterhouse (BDF) is that it's like the Vietnam War--as far as "good guys" and "bad guys" go, you often can't really tell who is who.
Even when someone DOES get Scripture right, they usually present it with an attitude more potent than the most lethal coating of Napalm.
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