God Of the Bible Behaving Badly: Part V

Shut Up and Worship

God Doesn’t Answer Questions — He Punishes Them

Some gods want your love. The God of the Bible? He wants your silence.

Try asking Him why sometime — see how that goes.

Just ask Job, the most upright man on Earth. God let Satan ruin his life — killed his kids, torched his house, wrecked his health — just to win a bet. When Job finally says, “Hey, I don’t get this,” God shows up in a storm cloud and shouts for four chapters about how powerful He is.

Not one explanation. Not one apology.

Just: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4)

Translation: I’m big, you’re small — shut up.

Now ask Moses, who struck a rock to get water for thirsty people. The people were complaining — again — and he was tired. One swing of the staff later, God tells him he’s banned from the Promised Land.

Why? Because he didn’t “sanctify” God properly.

Forty years of faithful service. One mistake. No entry.

Uzzah tried to stop the Ark from falling. He reached out instinctively when it tipped off a cart — and God struck him dead on the spot.

No warning. No “thank you.” Just instant death for touching holy furniture.

And don’t forget Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons. They offered incense in a way God hadn’t authorized. So God lit them up — literally — with “holy fire.” He didn’t say what they did wrong. He just killed them.

Lesson learned?

Don’t improvise. Don’t question. Don’t flinch.

If this is a relationship, it’s an abusive one. Total control, zero transparency, and violent consequences for stepping out of line.

This isn’t trust me, I know best.
It’s obey — or else.

God doesn’t comfort the grieving. He blames them for doubting. He doesn’t explain His actions. He silences your confusion with thunder and fire.

You exist to revere Him.

And if you raise your hand in class?

You get burned.

And yet, these stories are taught as examples of faith. Of righteousness. Of what it means to follow God. But if the true lesson is: never ask questions, never think for yourself, never hesitate, then it’s not about love at all.

It’s about submission.

Which means God doesn’t want your heart.

He wants your silence.

Writer’s Note: This 5-part series has been based on the God of the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. Coming up in Part 6 on Thursday will be an introduction to the God whom I know from my spiritual journey and the path I’ve chosen. I look forward to sharing it with you.