Purge the evil from our midst
There are numerous messages and articles that points a finger at God, because of various Capital Punishment in the Old Covenant. But was He wrong to establish them? And when we say that God is Just and Holy, do we really believe what we say? We speak about His judgments that they are harsh, while still accusing Him of not containing evil on the earth.
When we look at the deterioration of the world today, we should have a better understanding of God’s design for containing evil from spreading among us. He says
“Purge the evil from your midst. Those who remain will hear and be afraid, and they will no longer do such an evil thing as this in your midst. (Deut 19:19-20)
In some historical records, we see similar judgments being carried out by communities attempting to keep their neighborhood safe. They desired that their children would be protected from the evil influences hanging around their neighborhoods, communities, and country. Why then are we judging God when we not only desire the same purging, but we know that it works?
Capital punishment in the Law, was intended to keep others who had the same evil idea from committing the same act. It was intended to have brought fear and order, and the behaviors we see today would have been non-existent if those judgments were obeyed as commanded. Seem to me that this fear, might just be what is necessary for removing the evil, and bringing back order in our land.
The lesson of Capital punishment in the Law of Moses, was about obedience, more than understanding the fullness of why God gave the command. It was keeping the agreement made with an All-knowing God, while having faith in Him to lead, trusting that His commandments were perfectly enough, missing nothing, and able to maintain order in their community.
That would have required having an understanding that God cannot do anything unjust, nor have unholy motives, neither can He tempt with evil, something that even Believers still struggle with today.
In Jeremiah 7:23, God reminded Israel what He commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.” This reminder was because they had agreed to obey God, saying “All the words which the Lord has commanded we will do. Ex 24:3
In today’s world, we question some of the commandments that led to death in the Law of Moses. While it might not be seen to us as worthy of death, God commanded it. That means, there was a spiritual aspect to each of these acts that affected a man and his relationship with a holy God, even though he could not see it with their natural eyes. God also taught that the earth was directly affected by those decisions whenever they were made. So, God’s strictness was keeping the earth and those under the law safe, from the unseen harm that the act caused, and from His wrath.
Today, we still lean on our own understanding whenever we separate judgments in the Law, deciding that they are unworthy of crime. It is clear why the world would see those things that way, but Believers send a wrong message whenever they question God in a way that is judgmental, and not for seeking clarity, and is why more of the world is rejecting our God.
Do we really trust God or not? can we proclaim Him to be holy, righteous, and just while declaring that His judgments are not equal to the sin committed. Even if we don’t have a revelation of why God did something, we must defend His supremacy by faith, because any negative response is an attack on His character and attribute. Remember, our response is a reflection of what we really believe.
Whether the Old or New Covenant, trusting God and doing what He says is obedience and proof of our love for Him. That is also true even if we don’t have the bigger picture.
God has not change
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