God is God, Deal With It (Or, How You Must Obey God No Matter What)

 Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV)

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I regularly get emails about Reddit's subreddit "r/exchristian", where former Christians talk about their experiences in the modern church, mostly in the fundamentalist camp (close to the truth, but usually aren't).  That, or they seriously read the Bible, and reject the faith because they see God as cruel by human standards.   Now, God being cruel by human standards is correct.  Yet, God doesn't operate on human standards, as the above Scripture text says.

Anyway, here's an example I wish to share with you.  This is from Reddit user rampskater:

I was similar. I specifically recall a section about the Ark of the Covenant, and if anyone touched it, they would die. While it was being transported, a man trips, falls against it, and dies. Paraphrasing the conversation that followed...

Me: "Mom, why would God allow that to happen? That guy is helping God and didn't do anything wrong."

Mom: "Well, it could have been to set an example for others that God was telling the truth when he said not to touch it."

Me: "...but they were already not touching it. They were doing everything he said, including killing other people, so why let this person die as an example when they were already doing things far worse than touching a box?"

Mom: "..."

The Scripture text rampskater is referencing is 2 Samuel 6:6-7, which reads:

2 Samuel 6:6-7 (KJV)

6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

Uzzah's violation is found in Numbers 4:15, which reads:

Numbers 4:15 (KJV)

15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

What rampskater failed to realize is the following:

1. You MUST obey God, no matter what. (Deuteronomy 13:4, for example)

2. The Israelites killing other people is not sinful, because God commanded it, and because it was not of murder.  If you're a soldier at war, it is no sin for you to kill the enemy, if your commanding officer commands it.

3. Uzzah was not helping God by disobeying Him.

4. God had every right to kill Uzzah, because God is God.  (Also see Deuteronomy 32:39)

So, back to what I previously said:  Is God cruel, by humanity's standards?  Yes.  But humanity's standards don't matter.  God, creator of humanity, is God.  His ways, and His thoughts, are higher than yours.  

Job 33:12-13 (KJV)

12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

Deal with it.