The wisdom of God

Have you noticed in our reading that punishment must be dealt out either by the accuser or in the presence of the judge?

Deuteronomy 17:6&7, " On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness. 7 The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst."

Deuteronomy 25:2, "then if the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall cause him to lie down and be beaten in his presence with a number of stripes in proportion to his offense."

In punishment there is a lesson to be taught: this is what happens to a lawbreaker. But God also understands that we have vindictive hearts so He prescribed punishment in a way that will cause the accuser or judge to be careful about the punishment. I must hit him with the first stone. I must watch him be beaten as I ruled. God's wisdom is found in putting a check on our hearts as well as the extent of punishment.

Lord, help us to be men and women who please You in all that we do. May we not shy away from punishment and may the punishment be fair. Give us hearts that seek maturity over repaying pain. Give us wisdom to know what punishment is needed. Give us wisdom to know how much is beneficial and guard us from ever going too far. Above all this we thank You that Jesus Christ has taken all of our punishment for sin. He has swallowed up all Your wrath that we desire. He took all my punishement and gave me His righteousness. Psalm 116:17 "I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgivingand call on the name of the Lord.18 I will pay my vows to the Lordin the presence of all his people,19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,in your midst, O Jerusalem.Praise the Lord!"

Amen