Is Divine Mystery at Odds with Biblical Transparency?
In this article, you will learn how Judges 13:18 contradicts Proverbs 15:33, Matthew 11:25, Genesis 2:25, 1 Corinthians 14:33 and John 18:20. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The Bible is filled with profound messages, each shedding light on God's nature. One such message is found in Judges 13:18, where the angel of the LORD tells Manoah that his name is "secret" or "wonderful," suggesting that God’s ways are often beyond our understanding. This verse portrays a sense of divine mystery, something special and beyond human comprehension. However, when placed alongside other biblical texts, we encounter intriguing contradictions that call for deeper reflection.
In Proverbs 15:33, we learn that "humility comes before honor." This teaching implies that true greatness is accessible to those who are humble, contrasting with the mysterious superiority hinted at in Judges 13:18. Likewise, Matthew 11:25 shares the image of God revealing truths to those who are like children, suggesting that divine secrets are not hidden from everyone but rather revealed to the simple-hearted, contradicting the notion of a completely unfathomable mystery.
The transparency highlighted in Genesis 2:25, where humans are described as "naked and not ashamed," goes against the shadowy and perplexing nature of divine mystery. It symbolizes openness and straightforwardness, which stands opposite to the idea of something concealed.
1 Corinthians 14:33 asserts that "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace," bolstering the belief that divine messages should foster understanding rather than bewilderment. Similarly, in John 18:20, Jesus proclaims that he "spoke openly to the world," reinforcing the principle of transparency and openness.
These contradictions raise thought-provoking questions: Is the essence of God meant to remain a mystery, or are there divine truths intended to be accessible to all? Perhaps these contradictions urge us to embark on a journey to explore the balance between the unfathomable aspects of God and the truths He openly reveals.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Judges 13:18 | And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it [is] secret? [secret: or, wonderful] |
| 2. | Proverbs 15:33 | The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility. |
| 3. | Matthew 11:25 | At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. |
| 4. | Genesis 2:25 | And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. |
| 5. | 1 Corinthians 14:33 | For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. [confusion: Gr. tumult, or, unquietness] |
| 6. | John 18:20 | Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. |