Man, since the beginning has thought of himself as better than everything else, that his way was the right way. But the writer in proverbs has stated it best:
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Not only once but twice. Through out the holy scripture man has sought to go his own way, which always leads to destruction and death. BUT GOD has intervened which leads to an interesting Bible Study. “BUT GOD”. A search of the scripture finds BUT GOD occurring 43 times: 18 times in the Old Testament and 25 times in the New Testament. A study of each of these occurrences will show as man was going his way, which would lead unto death, But God intervened to put man back on the right tract, a way which would not lead to death. Yes, God has a purpose for mankind, a purpose which will lead to a better life here and an eternal life hereafter (if we will have faith in Him). And yes, God has a purpose for not only mankind but for each and every individual who will have Faith in Him.
⇛ BUT GOD – Abimelech
In studying the BUT GOD’s found in the scripture, the first mention is in Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.
Reading the whole chapter gives an understanding of why God spoke to Abimelech in a dream. He wanted to add Sarah (Abraham’s wife) to his Harem which would have interfered in what God had in store for Abraham. Abimelech had a plan which seemeth right unto him BUT GOD intervened to save Abraham and Sarah.
⇛ BUT GOD – Jacob
The Second mention is in Genesis 31:7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me
The background to this BUT GOD starts back in Genesis 28 when Isaac tells Jacob to go to his mother’s family to seek a wife. There Jacob meets Rachel, the love of his life. But Laban (her father) tricks Jacob many times and might have caused even greater harm to Jacob, BUT GOD intervened.
⇛ BUT GOD – Joseph
The next mention(s) is in:
Genesis 45:8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
Genesis 48:21 And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.
Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
This is the story of Joseph. Satan, the devil, tried to destroy this young man, BUT GOD intervened. His life story begins in Genesis 30 and ends in Genesis 50, and is a very good story of how God watched over him. Now we only want to see the BUT GOD direct interventions.
Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers at 17, has spent time in prison, and then risen to be second in command in Egypt (please read to whole story). Now his brothers have come to Egypt seeking Food (not knowing Joseph was alive). He reveals himself to them and of course guild for their actions over take them. He reminds them it was not them BUT GOD who brought him to Egypt. (Genesis 45:8) Later, Joseph gets reunited with his father, Israel (Jacob) and before his father dies, he reminds Joseph BUT GOD shall be with you.
(Genesis 48:21) Again, after his father, Israel dies, Joseph forgives his brothers by reminding them that even though they thought evil against, BUT GOD meant it unto good. To create the nation of Israel.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
⇛ continue reading BUT GOD of the Old Testament Part 2
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