Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Why punishment exists




"'Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
Deuteronomy 27:26

The Law was both a blessing and a curse. It was a blessing in that it was the revealed will of God for Israel. By it, Israel could please God. In it, they had the mind of God. Through obedience to it they could live pleasing to God. It was a blessing because it created a society that benefited all, even the poor and disenfranchised. It was a blessing because God was glorified in it by a people who obeyed, followed, and worshiped Him.

But there was a downside for any disobedience. The curse of the Law came to those who would not obey and follow it. And the nation was bound to experience this negative side along with the benefits. Because individuals would disobey God and His Law, the curse would come. Eventually the entire nation would forget it.

This is always true with God's Word. He entrusts it to people. That is where we can experience life in obedience or pain and death in our failure to obey it. Every gift that God gives in His revealed will carries with it a responsibility for us to be true to it. God is worshiped by obedience. Disrespect to Him by callous disregard nor direct defiance will be punished.


- Posted with my iPad. The Apple Kool-Aide tastes fine.

1 comment:

Eric Gregory said...

That actually says very little about the need for punishment or if punishment, as we tend to think about it, is actually just. I was hoping that you might engage those issues.