There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under the Sun. Ecclesiastes 3:1
What was this really about?
Each of the cases here is based on Bible stories from the Old Testament.
Case one is based on the children of Israel’s choice to build a golden calf and worship it having just been rescued by God from Egypt. The story and the punishment they received for their behaviour can be found in Exodus chapter 32.
Case two is based on the story of Adam and Eve. The story and the consequences for the actions of the pair can be found in Genesis chapter 3.
Case three is based on the story of King David and Bathsheba. David ensured that, Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband was killed and took Bathsheba for himself. The story and the outcome of David’s actions can be found in 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12.
The punishments given in each of these stories may seem harsh to some and lenient to others, however, in the long run I believe they were for the best. We can also learn from the Bible that God’s justice is not always tough. John 8:1-11 is an example where Jesus forgave and handed out no punishment to a woman who was caught in the act of adultery.
We must also always remember that we cannot judge as God does as stated in Matthew 7:1 and James 4:11-12. We must also remember that this judgement is about sin and that God allows us to pass some judgement on those who break the laws of the land; we have been given guidance on this in the Ten Commandments. Most importantly we must remember that no one is perfect and that we have all done things that are wrong at some point and so should show compassion to others.
Each of the cases here is based on Bible stories from the Old Testament.
Case one is based on the children of Israel’s choice to build a golden calf and worship it having just been rescued by God from Egypt. The story and the punishment they received for their behaviour can be found in Exodus chapter 32.
Case two is based on the story of Adam and Eve. The story and the consequences for the actions of the pair can be found in Genesis chapter 3.
Case three is based on the story of King David and Bathsheba. David ensured that, Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband was killed and took Bathsheba for himself. The story and the outcome of David’s actions can be found in 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12.
The punishments given in each of these stories may seem harsh to some and lenient to others, however, in the long run I believe they were for the best. We can also learn from the Bible that God’s justice is not always tough. John 8:1-11 is an example where Jesus forgave and handed out no punishment to a woman who was caught in the act of adultery.
We must also always remember that we cannot judge as God does as stated in Matthew 7:1 and James 4:11-12. We must also remember that this judgement is about sin and that God allows us to pass some judgement on those who break the laws of the land; we have been given guidance on this in the Ten Commandments. Most importantly we must remember that no one is perfect and that we have all done things that are wrong at some point and so should show compassion to others.
By C Green