Why would God not want Israel to be workers together with Him this time (see 1 Corinthians 3:9)?
KJ21 And Moses said unto the people, “Fear ye not. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you today; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever (Exo. 14:13). 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building.
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Asked November 10 2018
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Jack Gutknecht
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Tim Maas
First, I would say that any unwillingness associated with the cited passage was not on the part of God, but the Israelites. The people of Israel were not disposed at that time to work with God. In fact, they were blaming Moses (and, by extension, God) for taking them out of Egypt (Exodus 14:11-12). Second, God would have wanted to save them without their help or assistance as an unmistakable demonstration of both His love for Israel, and also of His power, so that the Israelites would both love Him and also have a godly fear of Him. Third, God would have known that any sharing of responsibility would have caused Israel to believe that they had saved themselves through their own efforts, and did not need to depend upon Him or obey Him, thus turning them away from Him. (As God said in Isaiah 42:8, He is a jealous God, who will not share His glory with another.) (As a side note, my personal interpretation of the reference to fellow workers in 1 Corinthians 3:9 does not pertain to God working with any human, but to Paul and Apollos working together in God's service.)
Grant Abbott
God promised to rescue and deliver the nation of Israel from their bondage of slavery in Egypt. Whatever God promises we can be assured (guaranteed) that God will do it. God does not need any help from human beings. As the creator of the universe every situation is totally under his control. But God has chosen, when he established the church, to partner with believers in building his kingdom on earth. This principle is actually made clear in 1 Corinthians 3:6 “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” When God delivered Israel he did so through many signs and wonders including the parting of the Red Sea. God chose to perform these miracles through his servants, Moses and Aaron. But God will not share his glory with anyone. The great miracles he performed declared to the whole world that there is only one true God in all the heavens and earth. He is the Lord God Almighty.
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