In this series, we have examined what it means to “charge God foolishly,” or to “press charges against God,” as I have named it. Now, I would like to examine some men and women in the Bible who accused God.
Adam – Blamed God for His Disobedience
In the third chapter of Genesis, we have the story of the fall of man. This chapter is of great significance. It is in this chapter when Adam and Eve sinned. The moment they disobeyed God, sin entered into the world, and death by sin (Romans 5:12). In the moment Adam sinned, you and I became sinners (Romans 5:19).
We have already seen how Eve was tempted to charge God. Satan came to Eve, accusing God to her. Satan told her that the only reason God forbad her to eat of the tree in the midst of the garden was because God knew that her eyes would be opened, in essence claiming that God did not want what was best for her. So, she gave in to the devil’s accusations. She ate of the forbidden fruit. Then, she turned and gave to her husband and he did eat.
After they had both sinned, God came to them in the cool of the day. “Adam, where art thou?” He called. Adam and Eve, like many do when they sin against God, were hiding from God’s presence. God found them, and began to ask questions. “What hast thou done?” God asked Adam. God did not question Adam and Eve in order to gain knowledge; God questioned Adam and Eve in order to make them accountable. When God questioned Adam, saying, “Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” Look at Adam’s answer. He begins to play the blame game. “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Adam pinned the blame on Eve. But in reality, who was he blaming? Listen closely to what Adam said – “The woman whom THOU GAVEST to be with me, she gave…and I did eat.” Adam blamed Eve, but ultimately he was blaming God. “This woman that YOU gave me,” Adam said, implying that his sin was God’s fault. No man is able to blame God for his sin. Sin is a transgression of the law (I John 3:4). Every transgression of the law is a choice on the part of man. It has never worked to blame God for our sin.
Mary and Martha – Blamed God for Unanswered Prayer
In John 11, Mary and Martha, two sisters, sent a request to Jesus asking Him to come to Bethany because their brother Lazarus was sick. Jesus, however, acting as though he did not even get the request, tarried four days before coming to Bethany. In the days of Christ’s delay, Lazarus died.
Four days later, when Jesus arrived in Bethany, both Mary and Martha accuse Him. Now, I do understand that they were grieving. I understand that they were disappointed, having believed that Christ would come to Bethany and heal their brother. I get that, and because of that, I’ll go easy on them. However, they did blame Christ for denying their request for Him to come to Bethany. Look at what Martha tells the Lord:
John 11:21 – “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
Martha told the Lord that, had He responded to her request to come to Bethany, Lazarus would not have died. Later, Mary comes to Christ, making the same accusation:
John 11:32 – “Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
Mary and Martha made a request to Christ, informing Him that Lazarus was sick. Christ delayed His coming to Bethany. Although Christ delayed to respond their request immediately, He did not forget Mary and Martha. I find it interesting that in John 11, we are told that Christ delayed His response to Mary and Martha’s request. Did He do this because He did not love Mary, Martha, and Lazarus? Not at all. We are told in the same chapter, John 11, that Christ loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
John 11:5 – “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”
This verse is in this chapter for a reason. It is there to show us that God’s delay in answering our prayers is not evidence of any lack of love toward us. He does not delay because He hates us. Christ delayed His coming to Bethany, but He loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus nonetheless. Don’t ever forget that! Stand on this verse when the devil tempts you to accuse God because your prayers are yet unanswered.
