Was It Really the Judgment of God?

Was the earthquake in Haiti a few days ago really God's judgment upon a wicked people? The answer to this question requires the acknowledgment of two important scriptural truths.

First, the Bible teaches quite clearly that God is in charge of everything, and certainly of all natural phenomena. Indeed, the Bible speaks specifically of God causing earthquakes (1 Kings 19:11-12; Matthew 28:2; Acts 16:26; there are also prophecies about earthquakes God will bring). If God wishes to bring an earthquake anywhere on earth, He can do that.

Second, the Bible teaches quite clearly that finite man cannot know or understand the mind of an infinite and all-powerful God. Consider the words of Isaiah 55:8-9:

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Let us consider what we do know: God, for reasons known only to Himself, brought an earthquake to Haiti earlier this week. Could it have been an instrument of judgment? Yes, it could have been. Will we ever know that for certain? No, we will not.

We have no choice but to trust in God's wisdom about what He does...and to pray for (and, if possible, to help) the people affected.