Topical Bible: Punishment: Design of To Secure Obedience

◄ Punishment: Design of To Secure Obedience ►

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In the biblical narrative, punishment serves as a divine instrument to secure obedience among God's people. The concept of punishment is deeply rooted in the covenant relationship between God and humanity, where obedience to God's commandments is paramount. Throughout Scripture, punishment is portrayed not merely as retribution but as a corrective measure intended to guide individuals and nations back to righteousness and adherence to divine law.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Law given to Moses outlines various punishments for disobedience, emphasizing the importance of maintaining holiness and order within the community. Leviticus 26:14-16 states, "But if you will not listen to Me and carry out all these commandments, and if you reject My statutes and despise My ordinances, and fail to carry out all My commandments, and so break My covenant, then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life."

The purpose of such severe consequences was to deter the Israelites from straying from God's commandments and to encourage a return to faithful obedience. The cyclical pattern of sin, punishment, repentance, and restoration is evident throughout the historical books, particularly in the narratives of the Judges and the Kings.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently warned of impending punishment as a result of Israel's disobedience. These warnings were not merely threats but calls to repentance, highlighting God's desire for His people to return to Him. In Jeremiah 11:10-11 , the prophet declares, "They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, who refused to obey My words and have followed other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their fathers. Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I will bring upon them a disaster from which they cannot escape. They will cry out to Me, but I will not listen to them."

The prophetic literature underscores the idea that punishment is designed to lead to a change of heart and renewed commitment to God's covenant.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the concept of punishment continues to be linked with the goal of securing obedience, though it is often framed within the context of divine discipline. Hebrews 12:5-6 reminds believers, "And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: 'My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.'"

This passage highlights the loving nature of divine discipline, emphasizing that punishment is not merely punitive but is intended to foster spiritual growth and maturity. The ultimate aim is to produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11).

Eschatological Punishment

The New Testament also speaks of eschatological punishment, where final judgment serves as the ultimate means of securing obedience and establishing God's justice. In 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 , Paul writes, "He will inflict vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might."

This future aspect of punishment underscores the seriousness of disobedience and the eternal consequences of rejecting God's authority. It serves as a sobering reminder of the necessity of obedience to the gospel.

Conclusion

Throughout the biblical text, punishment is consistently portrayed as a tool designed to secure obedience, reflecting God's desire for His people to live in accordance with His will. Whether through the immediate consequences of disobedience or the ultimate judgment to come, the purpose of punishment is to guide individuals and communities back to a right relationship with God.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 2:17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.
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Exodus 20:3-5
You shall have no other gods before me.
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Leviticus 26:14-39
But if you will not listen to me, and will not do all these commandments;
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Deuteronomy 13:10,11
And you shall stone him with stones, that he die; because he has sought to thrust you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
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Deuteronomy 17:13
And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
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Deuteronomy 19:20
And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall from now on commit no more any such evil among you.
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Deuteronomy 21:21
And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shall you put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
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Proverbs 19:25
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that has understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
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Proverbs 21:11
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
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Proverbs 26:3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
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Library

Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental.
... It is the design which constitutes the moral character ... in its own nature, deserving
of endless punishment. ... exhibit as high motives to secure obedience as the ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xix sanctions of moral.htm

On the Atonement.
... Punishment implies crime"of which Christ had none ... The design of executing the penalty
of the law ... such demonstration as shall effectually secure the confidence ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/xii on the atonement.htm

General Character of Christians.
... The primary design of this epistle was to refute those ... those who are Christ's "yea
enough to secure it ... duty; the unrenewed by fear of punishment; Though fear ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xi general character of.htm

Atonement.
... that no one need to fear punishment, in any case, as his forgiveness was secure,
however much ... The great design of penalties is prevention, and this is of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm

The Negative Side
... the two are one; for the attempt to secure Divine favor ... 9 and 10 the apostle contrasts
the design of the ... the spirit of bondage and fear of punishment" (Turretin ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the negative side.htm

Obedience to the Moral Law.
... sleeping nursling, when all is quiet and secure, put forth ... selfishness is excluded,
and my supreme design is to ... the execution of law and the punishment of sin ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xi obedience to the.htm

The Eternal Punishment of the Wicked Reconciled with the Goodness ...
... recourse to rewards and punishments to secure it ... undue or unnecessary severity of
the punishment in question ... vague conjectures respecting the real design of the ...
/.../chapter iv the eternal punishment.htm

Moral Government.
... conformity to the moral law deserves reward, and that disconformity deserves punishment. ...
Ultimate choice is not put forth with design to secure its object. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture ii moral government.htm

Who is on the Lord's Side? Exodus 32:26.
... Their great object is to secure their hopes, and so they ... They sin, they know, but
they hope to escape punishment. ... in himself, and that his main design is not ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/who is on the lords 2.htm

The Wicked Heart Set to do Evil.
... selfish view, caring only to escape punishment, and make ... the mind utterly misapprehends
the design of the ... is, they suppose that they secure entire exemption ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/viii the wicked heart set.htm