Inquiry:
Is God good to all, or just a few? Do Psalm 145:9 and Jeremiah 13:14 contradict?
Response:
It is easy to set two verses against one another when they are pulled clear of their respective contexts. In both instances, the context determines the reason for God’s conduct regarding man. Note from Psalms 145, the Psalmist first shows God’s greatness in His care for His creation. In this respect, He is good to all. The writer says, “Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” (Psalms 145:16) In like manner, Jesus speaks of the fact that God makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45).
However, in the latter portion of Psalms 145, the writer makes a distinction between the good and the evil. He writes, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him; he also will hear their cry; and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love Him, but all the wicked will He destroy…” (Psalms 145:18-20) Though He sends good things upon the wicked, according to His justice, the wicked will ultimately be destroyed.
In Jeremiah 13, again, context determines what is meant. The Lord is speaking of a rebellious and disobedient nation (Jeremiah 13:10), and the destruction which would come upon them on account of their wickedness. Such is in complete harmony with what the Psalmist wrote in Psalms 145.
There is no contradiction.
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