What Old Testament examples reflect God's kindness and severity as in Romans 11:22? Romans 11:22 in Focus “Consider therefore the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22) The Flood—Destruction and Deliverance • Severity: “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth… So the LORD said, ‘I will blot out man…’” (Genesis 6:5-7) • Kindness: “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:8) • God preserves eight people and every kind of animal in the ark while the rest of humanity perishes—judgment and mercy side by side. Sodom and Gomorrah—Fire and Rescue • Severity: “Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens.” (Genesis 19:24) • Kindness: “But God remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe.” (Genesis 19:29) • A city consumed, a family spared—vivid evidence of both sides of God’s character. The Exodus—Plagues and Passover • Severity to Egypt: Ten plagues culminate in the death of Egypt’s firstborn (Exodus 11–12). • Kindness to Israel: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you; no plague will touch you.” (Exodus 12:13) • The same night that brought mourning to Egypt brought freedom to Israel. The Wilderness—Discipline and Daily Bread • Severity: “The carcasses of you who complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness.” (Numbers 14:29) • Kindness: “He rained down manna for them to eat; He gave them grain from heaven.” (Psalm 78:24) • A generation dies for unbelief, yet God feeds their children every morning. Canaan’s Conquest—Judgment and Mercy to Rahab • Severity: Jericho’s walls collapse and the city is devoted to destruction (Joshua 6). • Kindness: “Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared.” (Joshua 6:17) • An entire city falls, but one believing household is grafted into Israel—echoing Romans 11’s olive tree imagery. The Exile—Uprooting and Restoration • Severity: “I will remove Judah also from My presence… I will reject this city Jerusalem.” (2 Kings 23:27) • Kindness: “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) • Seventy years of captivity end with a remnant returning to rebuild temple and walls (Ezra, Nehemiah). Living in the Balance Today • Old Testament history mirrors Romans 11: God cuts off the proud and preserves the humble. • His kindness invites continued faith; His severity warns against complacency (1 Corinthians 10:11-12). • The same God who judged yet rescued in every era remains unchanged—calling us to “continue in His kindness.” |
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