5. TIRED versus NEVER TIRED

INTELLIGENT ANSWER TO "SELF-CONTRADICTIONS OF THE BIBLE BY WILLIAM HENRY BURR"

The perceived "contradiction" is a matter of interpretation and context.

THEOLOGICAL DOCTRINES

5.

GOD IS TIRED AND RESTS.

For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. (Ex. 31:17.)

I am weary with repenting. (Jer. 15:6.) 

GOD IS NEVER TIRED AND NEVER RESTS.

Hast thou not heard that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? (Is. 40:28.)

The Bible teaches that God is both infinite and personal. As an infinite being, God is not limited by time or space, He is eternal and unchanging.

The passages you've cited that state that God rested and was refreshed, such as Exodus 31:17, are describing God's actions in the context of the creation story. This passage is describing the six days of creation and the seventh day as a day of rest, this is a metaphor, it is not meant to be taken literally. This metaphor is used to illustrate God's intention for humanity to have a day of rest, a Sabbath.

The passage from Jeremiah 15:6 is a metaphor that describes God's feelings toward the Israelites, who were disobedient and unfaithful. It is not describing God's physical limitations, but rather his emotional response to their actions.

On the other hand, the passages you've cited that state that God is never tired and never rests, such as Isaiah 40:28, are emphasizing the infinity of God. They are emphasizing the fact that God is not limited by time or space, He is eternal and unchanging, He doesn't get tired, He doesn't age, He doesn't get tired like human beings.

These passages are not contradictory, but rather, they express different aspects of God's nature. Some passages use metaphor and anthropomorphic language to illustrate God's actions and emotions, while others emphasize his infinity and eternal nature. The Bible presents God as a complex and mysterious being, who is both infinite and personal.

The passages you've cited from Exodus 31:17 and Jeremiah 15:6 are examples of anthropomorphic language. Anthropomorphic language is a literary device that attributes human characteristics, emotions, or actions to non-human entities, such as God. This kind of language is used in the Bible to help people understand and relate to spiritual truths and concepts that are difficult to express in literal terms.

For example, in the passage from Exodus 31:17, the idea of God resting is a metaphor that illustrates the concept of the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, which is important in the religious practices of the Israelites. The passage is emphasizing that God set an example for humanity, by taking a day of rest after the work of creation.

Similarly, the passage from Jeremiah 15:6, is a metaphor that describes God's feelings toward the Israelites, who were disobedient and unfaithful. It is not describing God's physical limitations, but rather his emotional response to their actions. It is emphasizing that despite their unfaithfulness, God still cares for them and is still willing to forgive and help them.

On the other hand, the passages you've cited from Isaiah 40:28, are emphasizing the infinity of God, they are emphasizing that God is not limited by time or space, He is eternal and unchanging, He doesn't get tired, He doesn't age, He doesn't get tired like human beings. This passage is emphasizing the infinite nature of God and his power and his ability to be always present, always active, and always able to provide for his creation.

In summary, the Bible uses anthropomorphic language and metaphor as literary devices to convey spiritual truths and concepts that are difficult to express in literal terms. These passages are not contradictory, but rather, they express different aspects of God's nature and use language that is understandable to human beings.

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