The lesson for March 18 presents an interesting problem.
If we accept the doctrine that God knows the future as well as the past, then we have to believe that God knew what personal and national tragedies would result from answering Hezekiah's prayer and healing him to grant him the extra years of life.
What purpose, then, did God have it visiting such tragedy upon his people, just to satisfy Hezekiah's prayer?
Would he do the same for us? That is, would he answer a prayer of mine if he knew it would bring me great trouble? How then should I pray? Is God obligated to answer a prayer in a way that will bring catastrophe to the prayer and others? If not, why does he do it?
Add Comment