Tag: consequences

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Severe consequences

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Gene Gallin on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Ezra 6.

In anger, a parent might threaten their child, “If you do that again, you’ll be grounded for life!” Everyone knows that’s not going to happen. Young people might lament, “My parents are going to kill me!” But that never happened to any of my friends, even the ones who were always getting into trouble.

The bible includes examples of extreme justice. Like the decrees in Daniel to throw offenders into a fiery furnace or a den of lions. Those monarchs were serious. They really did it.

In the book of Ezra, when the Jews who have returned from exile are trying to rebuild the temple, the locals do their best to shut down the project. The matter ends up in front of King Darius, who searches the royal archives for a solution to the conflict. He discovers that Cyrus had decreed the house of God to be rebuilt in Jerusalem. All costs would be paid from the royal treasury.

Darius reissues the decree, prescribing severe consequences for any who fail to abide by it. “If anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and his house shall be made a dunghill” (Ezra 6:11). End of discussion.

There is no biblical record of anyone punished in this way. Maybe that’s because they knew from history that those kings were serious. These royal decrees insured everyone followed orders.

But would you turn in a neighbor who was interfering with the rebuilding of the temple if meant you’d end up with a dunghill in the lot next to yours. I know I wouldn’t.

Anyway, the project was completed on time. The Jews finished the reconstruction of the temple and worship was restored in post-exilic Jerusalem.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Ouch, that hurts

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by ArWeltAtty Attila from pexels

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 20.

“I’m so angry I could…” Spit. Scream. Explode. Everyone has a favorite way to finish that sentence. Unfortunately, reacting in anger or frustration rarely serves us well.

I think Moses was perturbed when he had to deal with grumpy people demanding water. Again. “What are we doing out here in the middle of nowhere? We’re all going to die.” I wonder if Moses rolled his eyes? Come on. God provided before. God will provide this time, too. Haven’t you learned anything?

God’s instructions to Moses are simple. Speak to the rock and water will come out. There will be plenty to drink for everyone.

Not far from the end of his rope, Moses says,  “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock (Numbers 20:10,11).

It sounds like another happy ending until God says, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” (20:12).

No one saw that coming. But when Moses takes control of that moment, he robs God of his glory. The consequences are severe. At the end of the journey, Moses will not be entering the promised land with everyone else. He loses that ultimate reward for one brief moment in the spotlight.

Today I heard a pastor say, “Don’t give up something you want for something that feels good.” In the moment, though, it’s easy to take our eye off the prize.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

A second chance? Nope.

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Will Porada on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 13 and 14.

I’m not a golfer, but I got dragged into a scramble fund-raiser for our church about twenty years ago. When I arrived that morning, borrowed clubs in hand, they asked me how many mulligans I wanted to buy. “What’s a mulligan?” “It’s a do-over.” I think I they were selling a dozen for ten bucks. What the heck, it was for a good cause. Golfers will be amused to know I used them up the front nine. Our four person team finished last, not even breaking 100. It was the last time I played. I’m not a golfer.

Who doesn’t like the idea of a mulligan? A bad note, a lousy drawing, over- or under-cooked food, a false start. Whatever. Start over. Try again.

We like to think of God as someone who gives you another chance. That’s true to a certain extent. Grace is powerful. So are consequences. After siding with the unfaithful majority, the nation of Israel doesn’t get another chance.

The vote was ten to two. Ten spies said, “We can’t go up against the people of Caanan. They are too big, too strong for us.” Two, Joshua and Caleb argued, “Let’s go; we can do it!” (Numbers 13:30-31)

God is ready to ditch them all (14:12). But Moses steps in. Moses appeals to God’s abounding love and forgiveness. “Please pardon the iniquity of this people” (14:19).

The Lord said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers” (Numbers 14:20).

They are forgiven, that is, God doesn’t obliterate them with pestilence and disown them. However, they will live with the consequences of their unbelief. They will not enter in to the land. Forty years later, their children will. But they will not.

Wait a minute. Isn’t he a God of mercy? Isn’t he abounding in steadfast love? He sure is. But he’s also your heavenly father. A father who truly loves his children disciplines them (Hebrews 12:6). How else are you going to learn?

A police officer might let you off with a warning. But a speeding ticket might be more effective in getting you to lighten on the gas.