John 9 and Exodus 4:11 and Levitticus 19:14

[Momoftwo]

Reba and CyberRed-

Thanks for posting the WHOLE scriptures. I didn't know that I had to read the WHOLE scripture. I thought just read few sentences but I was wrong. I have to read the WHOLE scriptures - wow a lot of reading from 1 to 39. It's stories that I have to read whole.

Thanks!

 

[Rose Immortal]

Reba and CyberRed-

Thanks for posting the WHOLE scriptures. I didn't know that I had to read the WHOLE scripture. I thought just read few sentences but I was wrong. I have to read the WHOLE scriptures - wow a lot of reading from 1 to 39. It's stories that I have to read whole.

Thanks!

Yep, it usually is a good idea to read the chapter where a verse comes from...it helps in guarding against people who take verses out of context (like Satan tried to do to Jesus in the desert, in fact).

 

[Momoftwo]

Momoftwo, in this chapter, Jesus clearly says that sin did NOT cause the man's blindness.

What part of this Scripture bothers you? Can you please explain what part you have questions about?

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Reba,

Ok, you said that sin did not cause the man's blindness. Does it mean that God made him blind?

Ok, why do some people including my siblings and relatives that they said no, God did not make me deaf? It hurts my feeling. God told me that He made me deaf and that makes me very happy and I know that my deafness is a huge challenge and I accept that fully. My parents, siblings and relatives are Methodist. It sounds like Methodist regilious don't believe that God made people blind and deaf. Why?? I asked my siblings and relatives "why?' They said that if God made me deaf, then God is very mean, so cruel. I never felt that God was so cruel to me because I was born deaf. I was always very happy childhood. But when I became after 18 years old, hearing people told me how sorry they feel for me then they got me questioned about God whether or not He made me deaf. Deaf is my identity like I have blue eyes, blonde hair, white person, woman, deaf, etc. Obviously my siblings still wish that I was hearing.

Did it help you understand what I'm trying to find out?

 

[Reba]

... What disappointed me which was that my 5 siblings think that my deafness came from something happened - not God. .. My siblings don't believe that God made me deaf which made me SAD. But my heart keeps TELLING me that God made me deaf on purpose. I still KEEP hearing God's words that God made me deaf on purpose. That's why my siblings really frustrated me about God and deaf.

Truly, that is your 5 siblings' problem, not yours. You know what is right in your heart. If your siblings don't understand or accept that, it is their problem, not yours.

I understand that your siblings' attitude is very disappointing to you. We all want support from our family, and it is very sad when we don't get it. But sometimes we just have to accept the fact that our siblings (or parents) don't think or believe the same way that we do. It is not pleasant but it happens. We can't let other people control our hearts. It will confuse and depress you. You need to take control of your own heart and ignore the negative influences of other people.

You have your own loving husband and children now. Enjoy them and concentrate on the blessings they give you. Start your own family traditions, and spend time with other people who share your beliefs and interests.

 

[Momoftwo]

Reba,

You posted "have not I the LORD?"

Ok, but my bible shows "It is I, the Lord". You see there is no "not". Your bible shows "not". I'm so confused. Your bible said that God did NOT make blind or deaf. My bible says that God makes people deaf or blind. Why are your bible and my bible are a bit different because yours show "not" and my bible shows no "not".

 

[Momoftwo]

Truly, that is your 5 siblings' problem, not yours. You know what is right in your heart. If your siblings don't understand or accept that, it is their problem, not yours.

I understand that your siblings' attitude is very disappointing to you. We all want support from our family, and it is very sad when we don't get it. But sometimes we just have to accept the fact that our siblings (or parents) don't think or believe the same way that we do. It is not pleasant but it happens. We can't let other people control our hearts. It will confuse and depress you. You need to take control of your own heart and ignore the negative influences of other people.

You have your own loving husband and children now. Enjoy them and concentrate on the blessings they give you. Start your own family traditions, and spend time with other people who share your beliefs and interests.

Oh, thank you so much!!!!! I feel so much better to hear your words!!!!

Ok, my question is....why did God decide to use me as a deaf person? Is it because I am a less sinner? or better listener to God's words or ?? I'm just trying to understand. What about my siblings who don't believe that God made me deaf...are they more sinners than me?

Again, thank you soooooo much for your wonderful words and you really made me so happy and feel so much better!!!!!

 

[netrox]

Ok, but my bible shows "It is I, the Lord". You see there is no "not". Your bible shows "not". I'm so confused. Your bible said that God did NOT make blind or deaf. My bible says that God makes people deaf or blind. Why are your bible and my bible are a bit different because yours show "not" and my bible shows no "not".

I don't see how that would change anything. Language differences account for that difference. Hebrew and English are entirely different languages and all languages have cultural biases.

 

[Reba]

Reba,

Ok, you said that sin did not cause the man's blindness. Does it mean that God made him blind?

Guess what? I don't have all the answers. No one does. But God knows, and He knows best. We don't always know the reason or way that He does something. We just trust that whatever He does, is best. All I know is Jesus Himself said the man was NOT blind because of sin. Jesus told the people that they should not blame or judge the man for his blindness. Jesus didn't want the people to focus on the reason for the man's blindness. Jesus wanted the people to focus on His miracle power.

Did you notice that the blind man didn't worry about the reason he was blind? Instead, he focused on Jesus.

Did you notice that the Pharisees (the religious leaders) tried to make the blind man doubt Jesus as God? But the blind man stayed faithful and didn't deny Jesus.

Ok, why do some people including my siblings and relatives that they said no, God did not make me deaf? It hurts my feeling.

I don't know the hearts or minds of your siblings and relatives. Only God knows. If that bothers you so much, maybe you should quit discussing it with them at family meetings.

God told me that He made me deaf and that makes me very happy and I know that my deafness is a huge challenge and I accept that fully.

Then continue to trust God.

My parents, siblings and relatives are Methodist. It sounds like Methodist regilious don't believe that God made people blind and deaf. Why?? I asked my siblings and relatives "why?' They said that if God made me deaf, then God is very mean, so cruel.

I can't say what your family believes, and I don't know if they learned that at their church. I think it is more likely that they themselves have not found their own peace with God, so they prefer to blame Him for problems. I sense some bitterness in them.

I never felt that God was so cruel to me because I was born deaf. I was always very happy childhood. But when I became after 18 years old, hearing people told me how sorry they feel for me then they got me questioned about God whether or not He made me deaf. Deaf is my identity like I have blue eyes, blonde hair, white person, woman, deaf, etc. Obviously my siblings still wish that I was hearing.

Really, you need to ignore the negative attitudes from other people. They are not helpful to you.

Did it help you understand what I'm trying to find out?

Yes, thank you.

 

[Reba]

Reba,

You posted "have not I the LORD?"

Ok, but my bible shows "It is I, the Lord". You see there is no "not". Your bible shows "not". I'm so confused. Your bible said that God did NOT make blind or deaf. My bible says that God makes people deaf or blind. Why are your bible and my bible are a bit different because yours show "not" and my bible shows no "not".

The phrase "have not I the LORD?" is the way God reminds Moses of the things God has done and can do. In English language, when someone asks "have not I" or "haven't I" it means the same as the statement, "I have". So the question, "have not I the LORD?" actually means the same as the statement "I, the LORD, have".

Example:

Mom asks the kids, "haven't I told you a hundred times to pick up your clothes?"

Mom tells the kids, "I told you a hundred times to pick up your clothes!"

Same meaning in both sentences. The difference is one is made as a negative question, and one is made as a positive statement. But they have the same meaning. The difference is, the question form requires an answer. (The answer is "yes".) The statement form does not require an answer.

 

[hottiedeafboi]

Great posting, Reba. Momoftwo, I hope u understand, that's what it meant and I know how u feel momoftwo. God is so good. God has a purpose for us to be and to do which lead others go thru similar circumstances. As Reba explained is a correct views. Many out there getting the wrong idea of being deaf and many overlook what God is really calling us to do and what the purpose is. Smile. May God show you each step of the way, and that's the goal what christian should do for one another as God called us to do, instead of cutting people down, but instead, we should edify (build up) one another with love and kindness and forgiveness, that's the whole message God called us to do. Smile

 

[Reba]

...Ok, my question is....why did God decide to use me as a deaf person? Is it because I am a less sinner? or better listener to God's words or ?? I'm just trying to understand. What about my siblings who don't believe that God made me deaf...are they more sinners than me?

Only God knows how and why He uses people. When you read the verses in Exodus about Moses, do you notice that Moses didn't understand why God wanted to use him? Even Moses didn't understand. BUT Moses was faithful and finally just trusted and obeyed. Really, that is all any of us can do. Just trust and obey.

I don't know anything about your siblings, so I can't say. But I do know these principles of God:

1. A person can't serve God until he/she accepts Jesus as Savior, and surrenders to God's will.

2. A person doesn't need to have any special skills for God to use him/her. The only requirement is faithfulness.

3. It is not our strength or talent that succeeds. It is God's power, thru us, that succeeds.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

[MorriganTait]

Thanks for posting the WHOLE scriptures. I didn't know that I had to read the WHOLE scripture. I thought just read few sentences but I was wrong. I have to read the WHOLE scriptures - wow a lot of reading from 1 to 39. It's stories that I have to read whole.

I have found it helpful to read a few different translations to develop a better understanding of certain passages. At this site, they sell versions of the Bible translated specifically for people who use ASL as their native language (the Easy-to-Read version). http://wbtc.com/

Keep asking questions and being curious. It's a good thing.

 

[Maria]

Reba and CyberRed-

Thanks for posting the WHOLE scriptures. I didn't know that I had to read the WHOLE scripture. I thought just read few sentences but I was wrong. I have to read the WHOLE scriptures - wow a lot of reading from 1 to 39. It's stories that I have to read whole.

Thanks!

You're welcome anytime !
And, yes it is important to read the whole chapter to understand what it was all about. It explains the WHOLE picture and the WHOLE picture has many words in it.

 

[Momoftwo]

Hi all,

Thank you so much for your posts!!

Reba, ohhhhhhhhhh I got it about "not" with "?". It got me so confused. Sometimes, the language can be tricky. Thank you so much for clearing it up. Now, I feel so much better.

I let my siblings believe that God didn't make me deaf....just let them go....I have a huge faith in God and what I heard Him saying that He made me deaf so follow His words and that makes me very happy. I wish my siblings realize that God made people deaf and blind.

Again, many thanks for everyone to help me understanding better what it means. Thank you!! By the way, thanks, MorriganTait for the link!!

 

[Rose Immortal]

Reba,

Ok, you said that sin did not cause the man's blindness. Does it mean that God made him blind?

Ok, why do some people including my siblings and relatives that they said no, God did not make me deaf? It hurts my feeling. God told me that He made me deaf and that makes me very happy and I know that my deafness is a huge challenge and I accept that fully. My parents, siblings and relatives are Methodist. It sounds like Methodist regilious don't believe that God made people blind and deaf. Why?? I asked my siblings and relatives "why?' They said that if God made me deaf, then God is very mean, so cruel. I never felt that God was so cruel to me because I was born deaf. I was always very happy childhood. But when I became after 18 years old, hearing people told me how sorry they feel for me then they got me questioned about God whether or not He made me deaf. Deaf is my identity like I have blue eyes, blonde hair, white person, woman, deaf, etc. Obviously my siblings still wish that I was hearing.

Did it help you understand what I'm trying to find out?

Momoftwo--

I am Methodist, and here's what I personally think.

I don't think God would be cruel for making you deaf. Correct me if I am wrong, but any cruelty you have encountered because of your deafness has come from PEOPLE, right? Had those cruel people (and society in general) followed what is said in these verses, they would have created an environment in which you could flourish without such heartache.

Without the human-cruelty factor, deafness would indeed be only a challenge, nothing more.

The one kind of deafness that I might think differently of is, the kind that comes from the violence of one human being against another (injuries caused by human malice or negligence). Still, even in that case, God will find a way to use that person exactly as he or she is in order to accomplish the mission that has been given to him or her.

Does that make any sense to you? Please let me know.

 

[Momoftwo]

Momoftwo--

I am Methodist, and here's what I personally think.

I don't think God would be cruel for making you deaf. Correct me if I am wrong, but any cruelty you have encountered because of your deafness has come from PEOPLE, right? Had those cruel people (and society in general) followed what is said in these verses, they would have created an environment in which you could flourish without such heartache.

Without the human-cruelty factor, deafness would indeed be only a challenge, nothing more.

The one kind of deafness that I might think differently of is, the kind that comes from the violence of one human being against another (injuries caused by human malice or negligence). Still, even in that case, God will find a way to use that person exactly as he or she is in order to accomplish the mission that has been given to him or her.

Does that make any sense to you? Please let me know.

Rose Immortal,

Yes, I agree with you. Yes, that's right. Thank you very much for your help!