God uses "His enemies as instruments to punish" sinners. What good does just quoting her do? What does she mean in saying this? That's the question!

I believe what she means is that God uses the results of those who choose to act against Him to further His purposes. So even though they do what they of their own free will choose to do, they further God's purposes.

Rosangela, I'm still not clear. Are you suggesting the "civil laws" were not an amplification of the moral law?

Was it a sin for the COI to practice slavery, divorce, polygamy in accordance with the laws God gave them?

Ded:Now the above is easy enough for me to understand.

The issues that raise serious questions is --
Why did God command His people to kill?

Yes, the Cananite "cup of iniquity was full" and mercy was withdrawn. God as Creator and sustainer has ever right to determine that point.

But it's scary when people think they have the Divine command to kill those they deem "beyond hope".

There have been groups of people who look at the stories of Israel in Canaan and excuse the most awful crimes -- example --
The Catholic Inquistition defends itself based on these stories.

A time is coming (and already is in some parts of the world) where people think they are obeying God's command when they engage in genocide. And in the endtime that death sentence will be pronounced on God's commandment keeping faithful, and people will think they are doing God's will by carrying it out.

Daniel 10 gives us a rather interesting picture--

As we read the chapter we gain a glimpse of what takes place BEHIND THE SCENES.

Forces of evil are struggling to control Cyrus' mind for 21 days,while Daniel was fasting and praying.

"As people we do not understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Evil angels are constantly at work, planning their line of attack, controlling commanders, kings, and rulers, the disloyal human forces." 4BC 1173


"The struggle here described was essentially one between the angels of God and the 'powers of darkness seeking to counteract the influences at work on the mind of Cyrus' (see PK 571, 572)." The evil angels were not about to leave, even when Cyrus leaned toward the right decisions. It wasn't until Michael, whom we see as Christ Himself, the captain of the hosts of heaven, came, that the evil angels were forced to retreat.


Spiritual warfare!
Daniel 11 would give a long outline of physical warfare, but Daniel 10 graphically tells us that behind the physical there are spiritual powers fighting for the control of the human race.
The physical is but the outworkings of the spiritual.

EGW says "The king of Persia was controlled by the highest of all evil angels...but Michael came...holding the powers in check, giving right counsel against evil counsel" (4BC 1173)

When God's people reject Him, do His angels continue to fight the evil angels? Or are they called back allowing the evil angels influence to prevail?


Reading the Psalms illustrates this as well -- (Psalms 107)

Israel forgets God and ends up in trouble "then they cry unto the Lord" and He delivers them. Then they forget God and their enemies come against them, "then they cry unto the Lord" and He delivers them (repeated, repeated, repeated...)

M: Rosangela, I'm still not clear. Are you suggesting the "civil laws" were not an amplification of the moral law?

R: I would say all of them were in harmony with the moral law, but not all of them would be exactly amplifications of the moral law.

M: Was it a sin for the COI to practice slavery, divorce, polygamy in accordance with the laws God gave them?

R: It was a sin to practice these things, but the people, because of the hardness of their hearts, wasn't prepared to see this at the time. Therefore, God was patient with them.

R: It should be noticed that God didn't command them to practice slavery, divorce, polygamy and personal vengeance. What He did was to give them laws which would minimize the effects of these harmful practices which had been practiced for centuries.

God has not sanctioned polygamy in a single instance. It was contrary to his will.(1SP 94)

Yes, I can see how God gave them direction in how to practice them with the least negative effect. They served as a bridge to bring the COI where God wanted them. However, what is still not clear to me is if you believe it was a sin to practice such things in accordance with God's law. I assume your answer is, no, but you know what they say about people who "assume" things!