Justice, Vengeance, and Mercy

January 2, 2022 Background Scripture: Genesis 4 Lesson Passage: Genesis 4:1 -15 The coronavirus pandemic has not led to lower crime rates as might have been expected with less travel and more lockdowns nationwide. In fact, our nation has experienced an uptick of homicides during the past two years. Perhaps it is fitting that we should begin this year's study by reviewing the first case of murder in human history. In this study, we can examine the root cause of the murder, consider the repercussions of it, and review God's response to it. It is very important that we review and try to understand God's response to this atrocity. The first three chapters of Genesis provide an overview of the creation of the universe, the creation of animal life on earth, and the creation of mankind. Adam was created in righteousness in the image and likeness of God. God gave Adam the freedom to use his will to make decisions, except he was told to avoid one specific fruit. Adam was given dominion over the creatures of the earth. With a rib from Adam, God made Eve to be a perfect helper for Adam. Today we refer to this as living in Paradise, or God's perfect place for humanity to exist. That ideal situation ended when Adam disobeyed God and ate the one fruit God told him not to eat. Adam and Eve had to live with some consequences of his disobedience to God. They were expelled from the Garden of Eden, where they were caretakers, and sent to till the ground and battle the elements to grow food for themselves. God told Adam that the burden of the work would cause him to perspire, and that they would eventually experience physical death. God told Eve that she would experience pain in labor bringing forth children. God provided for them garments to wear that were made from animal skins. In the course of time, Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. The Bible mentions only one conception and two births, so it is likely that they were twins. Cain followed in his father's footsteps and became a farmer while Abel chose to become a shepherd. They each brought a portion of the fruit of their labor to God as an offering. Cain brought some of the produce of his crop after the harvest. Abel brought from some of the firstborn lambs and their fat. The Bible does not reveal to us how God did it, but it says that God showed favor to the offering presented by Abel but not to Cain's offering. God's response angered Cain, God told Cain that he could still do what God would be pleased with. And if Cain did, then God would accept him. Note that rejecting the offering also meant that the one bringing the offering was also being rejected, God warned Cain that if he did not seek to please God, it would lead to sin. Cain rebelled against God's instructions and, out of jealousy, killed his brother, Abel. God told Cain that farming would no longer be productive for him. Cain would live the rest of his life as a vagabond, or hobo, eating whatever he could find. As a result of his sin, Cain felt vulnerable to becoming the victim of murder at the hands of someone else. But God told Cain that if someone kills him, then they would be punished sevenfold for it. This was God's act of mercy on behalf of Cain. Cain faced repercussions for his sin just as his parents had. When Cain failed to please God, God gave him the opportunity to do so. When Cain committed the sin of murder, God extended mercy, but He did not exonerate him of his sin. We may think that Adam eating the forbidden fruit was not as severe as Cain murdering his brother. However, in the righteous holiness of God, they were both sins that had to be punished according to God's justice. Yet, even while punishing the sinner, God still extends divine mercy. Robert C. Hudson December 9, 2021

Justice and Deliverance

December 26, 2021 Background Scripture: Nahum 1:1 - 3, 6 - 8, 12, 13, 15 Lesson Passage: Nahum 1:1 -3, 6 - 8, 12, 13, 15 It is not often that our Sunday School lesson focuses on the message of the prophet Nahum. Nahum is classified as one of the minor prophets. It should be noted that the classification of the prophets is based on the extent of writing, or length of the prophetic message. There are some major spiritual principles to be found in the collection of the minor prophets. Nahum is the second prophet of God to address Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrian Empire. Jonah prophesied against Nineveh almost a century earlier. Jonah was disappointed that the citizens of Nineveh, led by their king, heeded his warning and repented. God spared the Assyrians because they responded to His message and repented. God used this Gentile empire to punish His people in the northern kingdom of Israel, Once again Nineveh was being warned by God of impending judgment because of their sins. This time the message was not heeded by the king at the time as the previous king had a century earlier. God may use wicked nations to punish His people, but He does not acquit the wicked. When the wicked refuses to amend his ways when God sends a warning, then God judges and punishes the wicked. This applies to people and to nations of people. Perhaps God's sparing of the city a century earlier had emboldened their descendants. Sometimes we misinterpret God's mercy as meaning that He is soft and will not execute severe punishment. When we say, "God is good all the time", we should not assume that executing righteousness and punishing the wicked is not part of God's goodness, God is always good. God is always righteous. God is always holy. Although God is patient, or longsuffering, He still executes judgment against unrighteousness. This message of warning against Nineveh should have encouraged Judah at that time. The people of Judah were aware that God had used the Asyrian Empire to destroy Israel as a sovereign nation and carry the people into captivity as slaves. Unfortunately, this knowledge of God's prior actions had confused some of those of Judah. With Nahum's message, God was clearing up that confusion for Judah. God establishes righteousness and executes judgment among all nations. Yes, Nineveh had been used by God to punish Israel. Yes, Nineveh had repented previously when God had warned them of impending judgment. But now, Nineveh was again being warned and they were not going to repent. They would be judged, and the people of Judah would see it. Nineveh did not have unfettered access when it came to threatening the people of God. God expects and rewards righteousness in all nations. Likewise, God judges and punishes sin as well. Whether among His people or among people who don't know Him, "God is good all the time." Judah was going to be delivered from the threat of Nineveh because God was executing justice in Nineveh. The prophet named all the sins of Nineveh for which she was being judged by God. There was reason to hope again in Judah. They could return to celebrating the sacred feasts before the Lord. Nahum is a reminder that God doesn't just punish God-fearing nations for their sins. God is God of all creation. In His patience, God allows time for wicked nations to turn to Him for deliverance. But He is not patient with them forever; and justice will be executed. Robert C. Hudson November 29, 2021