Bible Discussion Thread

exodus 4 11 so does God form in the womb the sick

Hi Richard, I wonder whether you're referring to Exodus 4:10,11. These verses do seem to imply that God specifically creates some (in the womb) to have defective organs or other impediments. He is after all the Creator of all people & things & so has the right to do as He pleases. However, the question: why would God then create a new life with such physical or mental problems? Is it simply sufficient to say that 'He has every right to do so?"

Apart from the above, I see two other aspects to this dilemma: we are all born in corrupt sinful flesh. Even though an embryo cannot be classed as one having committed any sin, its very state, being formed out of the seed of sinful man & woman, already consigns it to an existence (whether in the womb or outside), into a sinful state. And secondly, the Ways & Plans of God are unknown to us. We don't know how God uses such people so afflicted in various ways; whether to glorify Him, to lead them to Himself, or to touch other lives through their infirmity. We usually see the suffering of the one afflicted & ask 'why has God allowed this to happen'?, yet we remain ignorant to the Purposes of God in doing so & for the one afflicted to still return praises to Him in spite of it all.

Here in Exodus chapter 4, we see Moses with a speech impediment; in John 9:1-3 (a man born blind); Mark 7:31-34 (deaf man & with a speech impediment); Acts 3:1-3 (lame man) are a few examples. Then we have babies born with disabilities from no fault of the parents, or maybe because of something ingested by the mother (e.g. Thalidomide when taken during pregnancy for anxiety & morning sickness). All these are the results from what we are as humans or what God has allowed for His Own reasons. What is more important is how we accept our lot in life, how we can be useful to others in some way, & whether through it we are reminded of our own weaknesses & sins & therefore run to the Saviour for spiritual healing & hope, & strength to live through each day.