Does the god of Israel really work in mysterious ways
The saying "God works in mysterious ways" is a popular Christian expression, often used to explain situations where prayers seem unanswered or outcomes are unexpected. However, this concept contrasts significantly with how the God of Israel is portrayed in the Hebrew Bible.
Hebrew Bible Perspective
Clear Communication:
In the Hebrew Bible, YaHuWaH clearly communicates His intentions to His people through prophets, visions, and the Torah. The Torah serves as a set of divine instructions for living, with explicit blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). Prophets like Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah conveyed direct messages from YaHuWaH, leaving little room for ambiguity.Predictability Through Prophecy:
Prophecy in the Hebrew Bible is often specific and purposeful, offering insight into future events. For example, the Israelites were frequently warned about the consequences of their actions. When they faced exile or destruction, it was directly tied to their covenant violations, not attributed to divine mystery (Amos 3:7 – "Surely the Sovereign YaHuWaH does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.").Covenantal Relationship:
The God of Israel established a covenantal relationship with His people, emphasizing justice, mercy, and accountability. When prayers were not answered or hardships arose, the reason was often clear: repentance and alignment with the Torah were necessary. The Hebrew perspective did not rely on the notion of divine mystery but rather on divine justice and the responsibility of the people.
Christian Perspective
Mystery to Explain Uncertainty:
The saying "God works in mysterious ways" is often used when Christians face unanswered prayers, hardships, or events that seem contradictory to their faith. Unlike the Hebrew Bible, where outcomes are often explained through prophetic warnings or covenantal breaches, Christians may invoke divine mystery to accept uncertain or disappointing outcomes without questioning their belief in God's goodness.Theological Shift:
Christianity, particularly through the New Testament, introduced the concept of faith in the unseen. Paul writes in Romans 11:33, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!" This verse reinforces the idea that God’s ways are beyond human understanding, contrasting with the Hebrew emphasis on revealed knowledge through prophets.Preserving Faith Amid Uncertainty:
By framing hardships as part of a divine mystery, Christians can maintain belief even when their prayers are unanswered. The belief that God’s ways are unknowable serves as a coping mechanism, preventing doubt or loss of faith.Reliance on Intercession:
In Christianity, prayers are often directed to God through Jesus as an intercessor. When prayers are not answered, the concept of divine mystery allows believers to accept outcomes without questioning the validity of their faith or Jesus’ intercession.
Comparison and Contrast Summary
In essence, while the Hebrew Bible emphasizes clear, revealed guidance from YaHuWaH, Christianity’s use of divine mystery offers a way to interpret unanswered prayers or unexpected events. This difference reflects the contrasting theological frameworks of accountability in the Hebrew Bible versus the acceptance of uncertainty in Christian belief.
The God of Israel does not operate in secrecy or ambiguity
The Hebrew Bible contains several passages emphasizing that YaHuWaH, the God of Israel, does not operate in secrecy or ambiguity. This reinforces the idea that He communicates clearly and leaves little room for personal or subjective interpretations. Unlike the notion of divine mystery often emphasized in Christian theology, the Hebrew Bible stresses transparency and accountability.
Key Scriptures Emphasizing Clear Communication
Isaiah 45:19
"I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, YaHuWaH, speak the truth; I declare what is right."
This verse is a direct assertion that YaHuWaH's words are not concealed or cryptic. His declarations are clear, and His people are not left to guess or interpret His will independently. He provides instruction through the Torah and prophets, ensuring His expectations are understood.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14
"Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven... Nor is it beyond the sea... No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it."
This passage reinforces the accessibility of YaHuWaH’s commandments. The Torah is presented as clear, understandable, and within reach — not shrouded in mystery. This directly opposes the idea of an unknowable divine will.
Amos 3:7
"Surely the Sovereign YaHuWaH does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets."
Prophets acted as the voice of YaHuWaH, ensuring that His intentions and judgments were known to the people. This verse establishes that divine actions were always preceded by warnings or instructions, eliminating the need for speculative interpretations.
Numbers 12:6-8
"When there is a prophet among you, I, YaHuWaH, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of YaHuWaH."
The distinction between how YaHuWaH communicated with Moses versus other prophets highlights that even symbolic visions or dreams were ultimately explained. There was no allowance for obscure or mysterious messages to remain unexplained.
No Room for Personal Interpretation
Given these scriptures, it is evident that the God of Israel's communication was not left open to personal interpretation. The Torah and prophetic writings were designed to be understood and applied in the daily lives of the Israelites. The concept of prophetic messages being confirmed through signs, fulfilled predictions, or direct outcomes also ensured clarity.
In contrast, Christian doctrines often rely on the idea that divine actions are mysterious and beyond human understanding, particularly when prayers are not answered or when events seem unjust. The phrase "God works in mysterious ways" serves as a theological safety net, allowing believers to maintain faith despite uncertainty.
However, in the Hebrew Bible, the expectation was obedience to clear instructions. If hardships occurred, the Israelites were encouraged to examine their actions against the Torah, seeking understanding through repentance and alignment with divine law, rather than attributing their circumstances to divine mystery.
Thus, the scriptures affirm that YaHuWaH deliberately eliminates ambiguity, ensuring that His people know His will — leaving no room for personal or speculative interpretations.
personal experiences
“I have had a personal experience," to justify the continuation of serving their God.
"There is nothing you can say that can convince me of otherwise, when I have had personal experiences with Jesus Christ, God the Father and The Holy Spirit, and have come to understand the powerful gift Jesus left us in His Eucharist, the true bread from Heaven, and the extreme lengths He went to in order to leave His presence among us through it.
This is what His Church has safeguarded for over 2 millennia. Religion is merely the box in which His Word, His gifts, His Sacraments, and His revelations through written (Bible) and oral word (Sacred Tradition) have been saved to be passed down from generation to generation. You can make your decisions in whatever you think is best. I will never leave my Lord, the Church He instituted on Earth—having given authority to men to safeguard even to the very gates of hell, and God makes no mistakes—or His Eucharist. Nothing else matters to me. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
This is a very common Christian response when challenged to prove New Testament concepts—or Jesus as the fulfillment of the Torah—using the Hebrew Bible, which they claim as their foundation. Like many others, this person’s response relies heavily on personal experience and Christian tradition as the primary justification for faith, specifically within the context of Roman Catholic theology. Let’s break this down using the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and examine how this pattern—claiming divine personal experience to validate religious belief—is not unique to Christianity, but is also present in many other religions.
1. "I have had personal experiences..." – A Common Claim Across Religions
This appeal is not unique to Christianity. People of many different faiths say the same:
Muslims often cite deep spiritual experiences with Allah through prayer and the Quran.
Hindus speak of visions of deities, profound meditations, and temple rituals.
Pagans describe spiritual encounters with nature spirits or ancient gods.
Even some atheists claim powerful personal revelations that led them away from religion.
Response from the Hebrew Bible:
The Hebrew Scriptures warn against using personal experience alone as a basis for truth:
“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder... saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’... you shall not listen...”
— Deuteronomy 13:1–3
This passage teaches that even if a “miracle” or experience happens, if it contradicts the Torah or leads people to other gods or doctrines, it is a test, not truth. Personal experience is not the highest standard in the Hebrew Bible—obedience to YaHuWaH’s commandments is.
2. "The Eucharist... the true bread from Heaven..."
This reference interprets the Christian Eucharist as the literal fulfillment of “bread from Heaven.”
But in the Hebrew Bible:
“He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna… that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of YaHuWaH.”
— Deuteronomy 8:3
The manna (bread from heaven) in the wilderness was physical, but the lesson was spiritual obedience to YaHuWaH’s word. There is no concept in the Hebrew Bible that eating physical bread becomes God Himself. That interpretation comes later and from outside Hebrew tradition.
3. "The Church... given authority to men... even to the very gates of hell..."
This claim refers to Catholic Church tradition that it has authority over doctrine and salvation.
Hebrew Bible response:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from YaHuWaH.”
— Jeremiah 17:5
Authority in the Hebrew Bible is never handed over permanently to men, but always subject to YaHuWaH's direct commandments. The priesthood of Aaron, for example, could be judged or even removed if they disobeyed (see Leviticus 10, Nadab and Abihu).
4. "Sacred Tradition... passed down..."
Catholicism sees oral tradition as equal to Scripture. However, the Hebrew Bible rejects extra-biblical tradition that contradicts Torah.
“You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it...”
— Deuteronomy 4:2
While the Torah was indeed passed down, it was done under strict conditions to preserve YaHuWaH’s words, not to mix them with human tradition or interpretation.
5. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
This is a quote from Joshua 24:15, which is a Hebrew text, but in its original context:
“Choose this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve YaHuWaH.”
Joshua was not referring to Jesus, the Eucharist, or the Church, but to YaHuWaH, the Elohim of Israel, and faithfulness to His Torah. Using this verse while practicing doctrines not found in Torah is a misapplication of its original intent.
🔍 Why “I had a personal experience with Jesus” is a theological cop-out (especially when using the Hebrew Bible as the standard):
1. Personal experience is subjective, not evidence.
In the Hebrew Bible, truth is verified by YaHuWaH’s Word, not by feelings, dreams, or mystical encounters. Anyone can claim to have felt something, but that doesn't prove it’s from the God of Israel.
“The heart is deceitful above all things…” – Jeremiah 17:9
“You shall not add to the word… nor take from it.” – Deut. 4:2
Many people from all religions—Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, even cults—claim powerful personal experiences. So, how do you know which one is true? That’s the point: you don’t. Experience alone can’t be tested or proven.
2. The Hebrew Bible commands testing spiritual claims by Torah.
YaHuWaH never told His people to follow a god or prophet based on emotion or spiritual experience.
“If a prophet or a dreamer… gives a sign or wonder… saying, ‘Let us follow other gods’... you shall not listen…” – Deut. 13:1–3
Even miracles and dreams are to be rejected if they lead people away from the Torah or promote new mediators.
3. YaHuWaH demands loyalty through obedience, not feelings.
Throughout the Tanakh, the God of Israel says He is testing our hearts to see if we love Him by keeping His commandments.
“I am YaHuWaH your Elohim… You shall have no other gods before Me.” – Exodus 20:2–3
“He humbled you… to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments.” – Deut. 8:2
So yes, a personal experience can feel powerful, but unless it leads someone toward obedience to YaHuWaH’s Torah, not away from it, it is not evidence of truth, and can even be a deception.
🧠 Bottom line:
A “personal experience” is often used as a cop-out because:
It cannot be verified or challenged.
It avoids Scripture-based discussion;
It contradicts the Torah, which is the true foundation of faith in the Hebrew Bible.
Truth isn’t about what feels good—it’s about what YaHuWaH said. And He told us to test everything by His Word—not by emotional experience.
The Hebrew Bible calls for discernment, not emotion or personal experience, as the foundation of faith. YaHuWaH gave His Torah as the eternal standard for His people, and warned against:
Trusting in signs and wonders that lead away from Torah (Deut. 13:1–5)
Trusting in religious institutions over His direct word (Jer. 17:5)
Adding human traditions to divine law (Deut. 4:2)
While many people of different religions testify to personal encounters, truth in the Hebrew Bible is measured by alignment with YaHuWaH’s Torah, not by how something makes us feel or what miracles we claim to witness.