Portions of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Day 57 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on directives from God through Moses for the punishment of crimes, including murder, assault, kidnapping, rape, and theft.
The giving of the law allows for proportional punishment - with one example taken from Exodus 21:
Such language is often used as justification to exact justice as they see fit. Yet we must be clear that God alone is judge and it is He who exacts justice.
Using Romans 12:19-21 John Piper provides this excellent post regarding God and His anger vs His vengeance and how God's wrath is "never less than a perfect, judicial decree, but is always more than a perfect, judicial decree because it is always full of right and fitting fury."
God is also clear that we as believers should love and pray for our enemies - see also this post from DesiringGod.com.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your justice is perfect and I have felt Your discipline in my life and I am grateful for it. Thank You Jesus for molding me into more of Your image and for Your patience with me. I am not deserving of such love and patience. I know there is much work in me to do. Please forgive me for my sins of omission and commission - my sins are great and daily. Help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21
Day 57 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on directives from God through Moses for the punishment of crimes, including murder, assault, kidnapping, rape, and theft.
The giving of the law allows for proportional punishment - with one example taken from Exodus 21:
"But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise." Exodus 21:23-25
Such language is often used as justification to exact justice as they see fit. Yet we must be clear that God alone is judge and it is He who exacts justice.
Using Romans 12:19-21 John Piper provides this excellent post regarding God and His anger vs His vengeance and how God's wrath is "never less than a perfect, judicial decree, but is always more than a perfect, judicial decree because it is always full of right and fitting fury."
God is also clear that we as believers should love and pray for our enemies - see also this post from DesiringGod.com.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your justice is perfect and I have felt Your discipline in my life and I am grateful for it. Thank You Jesus for molding me into more of Your image and for Your patience with me. I am not deserving of such love and patience. I know there is much work in me to do. Please forgive me for my sins of omission and commission - my sins are great and daily. Help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
