When Promises Seem to Clash: Does God Truly Abandon His People?
In this article, you will learn how Leviticus 26:44 contradicts 2 Kings 17:18, Hosea 1:9, Jeremiah 15:1, Ezekiel 5:11, Isaiah 54:7-8 and Deuteronomy 31:17. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The Bible often feels like a tapestry of divine promises and human actions that weave into a complex narrative. A particular tension arises when comparing the hopeful promise in Leviticus 26:44 with other verses that seem to suggest a different story. Leviticus 26:44 provides comfort by assuring that God will not utterly cast away His people, even when they find themselves in hostile places. Yet, other scriptural passages appear to tell a story of divine rejection.
Consider 2 Kings 17:18, where God’s anger leads to the removal of Israel from His sight. This sounds like a complete casting away, differing markedly from the reassuring tone of Leviticus. In Hosea 1:9, God explicitly tells the people that they are "not my people." This feels like a declaration of rejection rather than a promise of enduring love. Similarly, Jeremiah 15:1 depicts God as unwavering in His decision not to turn back to the people, despite the intercessions of figures like Moses or Samuel.
Ezekiel 5:11 presents God as one who will show no pity, underscoring a severe judgment that feels at odds with Leviticus’s mercy. Even Isaiah 54:7-8, though promising return and compassion, admits there was a moment of forsaking, something not hinted at in the perpetual presence suggested by Leviticus. Lastly, Deuteronomy 31:17 warns of God hiding His face, a vivid image of withdrawal.
These seemingly contradictory verses might remind us of a parent who promises never to abandon their child. Yet, moments of discipline or distance can feel like abandonment from the child's perspective. The Bible invites readers to explore these complex dynamics, encouraging a deeper understanding of how divine promises interact with human behavior. Do these texts show contradiction or a more profound narrative of love calling for faithfulness?
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leviticus 26:44 | And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I [am] the LORD their God. |
| 2. | 2 Kings 17:18 | Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. |
| 3. | Hosea 1:9 | Then said [God], Call his name Loammi: for ye [are] not my people, and I will not be your [God]. [Loammi: that is, Not my people] |
| 4. | Jeremiah 15:1 | Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth. |
| 5. | Ezekiel 5:11 | Wherefore, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish [thee]; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity. |
| 6. | Isaiah 54:7-8 | For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. |
| 7. | Deuteronomy 31:17 | Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God [is] not among us? [befall: Heb. find] |