Can We Understand God with Logic?

     Perhaps we give ourselves too much credit if we think we can interpret what God is doing, in our lives and in the world, with our logic.

     Several godly men of renown might disagree with our self confidence.

     “He does great things past finding out, yes, wonders without number.”  Job 9:10

     Job, in the midst of tremendous tribulation, acknowledged that God’s doings were well beyond his comprehension.  In addition, Job states that God does such incomprehensible wonders innumerably. 

     The wisest man on earth in his time, i.e. Solomon, also recognized that God’s ways were far beyond man’s ability to comprehend.

     “…Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11b

     God has revealed that He created man for His eternal purpose to abide with Him forever.  Finite man could not begin to understand the ‘what and why’ of God’s purpose.

     Solomon then tells that the wisest of men, such as himself, may spend their entire lives trying to understand God; however, such attempts by man under the curse are futile.

     “…then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun…  For though a man labors to discover it…though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.”  Ecclesiastes 8:11

     The incomprehensibility of God’s thoughts and works was confirmed by the prophets.

     “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”

Isaiah 55:8-9

     It is utter vanity for man to imagine that he can think at the same level as the One who created him, or to understand God’s actions.

     Such thinking is as foolish as a president saying, ‘I will make the world a safer place,’ or ‘I will put a halt to climate change.’  Lucifer’s ‘I wills’ brought him down.

     Consider a nation that attempts to destroy Israel.

     “Now also many nations have gathered against you, who say ‘Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.’  But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, nor do they understand His counsel; for He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor.”  Micah 4:11-12

     Gentile nations throughout history have plotted to eliminate Israel from the face of the earth.  Even today, the major stated goal of Israel’s enemies that surround them is to destroy Israel.  As Micah states, such vanity confirms that those nations have no understanding of God’s thoughts, or counsel (plan), for His chosen nation.

     And though America appears to befriend Israel, our support is for the wrong reasons.  We state that we support Israel because they are a democracy like us.  The reason ought to be that we recognize that Israel was, is, and always will be, God’s chosen nation.

     God’s incomprehensible thoughts and ways are echoed in the New Testament.

     “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” 

Romans 11:33

     God reveals what His people need to know during the ages; however, the details involved in the fulfillment of His plan might well remain hidden.

     Such wisdom was revealed to Moses.

     “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”  Deuteronomy 29:29

     The Greek word for ‘secret’ has several synonyms including ‘conceal’ or ‘hide.’

     God’s standard of righteousness was revealed in the law.  Such standard remains through the end of this age.  We are to learn and observe the tenets of the law and teach our children this standard; however, none can fulfill the law’s requirements.

     The workings of God’s provision of grace to deliver us from the curse of the law may not be understood or revealed, but must be accepted by faith. 

     God’s chosen know just enough.