The Foot-and-mouth crisis worsens daily. Tens of thousands of animals have been killed. Many livelihoods have been ruined. What can we say about it? It is ...
1. An act of judgment from God's hand
Some question the mass slaughter but it is happening. This disaster is certainly a crisis for many. Exodus 7:4 speaks of God visiting Egypt with mighty acts of judgment. We know the plague on the cattle was a judgment. It says that the hand of the LORD would be responsible. We have no such word about our present crisis but surely we must say it is God's hand that is at work? In Egypt the magicians could replicate the first two plagues but with the third they say This is the finger of God. They saw it. We must surely say the same of the current crisis. There is a certain inexplicability about it all. If we have no room for God in our thoughts, we will not understand what is happening. We must recognise his hand and react appropriately. A sad feature of the crisis is the almost total refusal to recognise or acknowledge God's hand.
2. One among several such acts in recent days
The plague on the livestock was one of ten. This is God's usual way. He does not send a warning then that is it. He is patient; eager that none should perish eternally, so he sends many warnings. That is how it has been in Britain. This is the second foot and mouth epidemic in 35 years. Various other diseases have affected farming and beyond, especially the BSE crisis. This winter there has seen wide spread flooding. AIDS, an international problem, continues to have its effect in this country, mostly on drug abusers and the sexually promiscuous. In a different category is the Irish situation - a running sore in the nation's side. God's acts of judgment come in various forms. Every few months we wake to hear of another disaster. We do not say foot and mouth is the definitive act of judgment from God. It is one of many. God uses various chastisements to bring his lessons home.
3. Intended to promote God's chief purpose
Why has God allowed this? It is never easy to know and we must be cautious in the answers we give. However, if we remember broad principles, we will not go far wrong. In Exodus 9:1 Moses is told to tell Pharaoh from God Let my people go, so that they may worship me. What were the plagues designed to do? Force Pharaoh to let God's people leave and go into the desert and on to Canaan where they would worship God. So we see in God's purpose two intertwined elements — redemption and glorification.
- Redemption for his people. The Egyptians suffered because God determined to save his people. The parallel is imperfect but we can be sure God's purpose is unchanging. He continues to redeem a people for himself - not now one nation in one place but from all nations as one people everywhere. It is important that we recognise that the current crisis is designed to further that end. That is the broad principle. Details are more difficult. How is it leading to salvation? Firstly, there is an encouragement for the saints. God is at work. It is the dark side of his providence but he is at work. He is not leaving sin unchecked. Secondly, who knows what this crisis may lead to spiritually? On the national and individual level may be there will be an awakening to repentance and a turning back to God. We pray so.
- Worship for himself. The reason God's ancient people were to be released from slavery was to worship God. That is the purpose of all things. God's honour is supreme. We can be sure that in this dark judgment God seeks his own glory. By bringing down man's pride, the spotlight is on the Lord again. It is one thing to stand proudly looking at acres of farmland thinking 'I built this by my own hard work.' It is another to see livestock burning and bankruptcy staring you in the face. Remember the rich farmer Jesus spoke of who thought that he was doing fine. He was ready to retire but that very night his soul was required of him. God will not share his glory with another.
Sometimes God's plagues discriminate between people but this is unusual. In Egypt he differentiated between Egyptian and Israelite. Not one Israelite animal died. That is unusual. Much more often God's judgments in this life appear indiscriminate. It is important that we remember this or we will draw false conclusions. Are American farmers morally superior to British? Are farmers more sinful than secretaries? Are people in the country more deserving of judgment than those in the city? Is Farmer Brown a bigger sinner than Farmer Giles? God's earthly judgments are often indiscriminate. AIDS has hit both homosexuals and haemophiliacs, drug abusers and babies. God has purposes in the lives of individuals but with a judgment and guilt. If every sin was immediately punished there would be no place for faith or final judgment.
5. Timed as God has chosen
We can be sure that, as in Egypt, the timing is God's own. He has chosen when to send this particular judgment on this particular nation. Again, I do not think we can work out exactly why - why 2001 not 2000. The last epidemic was 1967, the year abortion was legalised. We cannot make such close connections, however. Better to ask where we are in general as a nation and consider this crisis God has sent. Surely it is a further wake up call to us from our sins.
6. Intended to enlighten, harden and lead to repentance
As with the Plagues we discern three strands in God's purpose
- So that everyone may know that the LORD is God. Exodus 7:5 the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand. God's purpose is to reveal himself. He shows his hand. People are atheists. 'Where is the evidence?' they say. Surely this crisis is evidence enough.
- To harden the hearts of some. Exodus 9:7b says of Pharaoh his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go. This God intended (Exodus 7:3 I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you.) One of God's strange works is giving over unbelievers to unbelief. Each judgment makes them more hardened. This crisis will make many bitter.
- But also to turn the hearts of others to him in repentance. The Bible tells us that God not only hardens whom he will harden but that he has mercy on whom he has mercy. Behind all else is this purpose. No doubt we will read of people being converted at this very time by this very crisis. It is not until we are at the end of ourselves that we are ready to turn to God. Sometimes it takes a crisis to bring us to our knees. May it do so.
This article appeared in Grace Magazine in April 2001
