Recounting past judgments is a recurring theme in the Bible, serving as a reminder of God's righteousness, justice, and mercy. These accounts are often used to instruct, warn, and encourage the faithful to adhere to God's commandments and to trust in His sovereign will.

Old Testament Examples

1. The Flood (Genesis 6-9): The account of the flood is one of the earliest and most significant judgments recorded in Scripture. God saw that "the wickedness of man was great on the earth" (Genesis 6:5) and decided to cleanse the world through a flood, sparing only Noah and his family. This event is a powerful reminder of God's intolerance for sin and His ability to preserve the righteous.

2. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18-19): The destruction of these cities is another profound example of divine judgment. God revealed to Abraham His intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their grievous sin. Despite Abraham's intercession, the cities were destroyed, highlighting God's justice and the consequences of unrepentant sin.

3. The Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12): The ten plagues were judgments against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, demonstrating God's power and sovereignty. Each plague was a direct challenge to the Egyptian deities, culminating in the death of the firstborn and the liberation of the Israelites. This series of judgments underscores God's commitment to His covenant people and His ability to deliver them from oppression.

4. The Wilderness Wanderings (Numbers 14): After the Israelites' lack of faith at the edge of the Promised Land, God decreed that the generation that left Egypt would not enter Canaan. This judgment resulted in forty years of wandering in the wilderness, serving as a lesson on the importance of faith and obedience.

New Testament Reflections

1. Jesus' Warnings (Matthew 11:20-24): Jesus Himself recounted past judgments as a warning to the unrepentant cities of His day. He compared the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum to Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, stating that it would be more bearable for the latter on the day of judgment due to the former's rejection of His miracles and message.

2. The Apostolic Writings (2 Peter 2:4-9): The Apostle Peter reminds believers of past judgments, including the angels who sinned, the ancient world during Noah's time, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. These examples serve to assure believers of God's ability to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.

Purpose and Significance

Recounting past judgments serves multiple purposes in the biblical narrative. It acts as a historical record of God's dealings with humanity, providing evidence of His character and His expectations for His people. These accounts are didactic, teaching future generations about the seriousness of sin and the necessity of repentance and faith. They also offer hope, as they consistently reveal God's mercy and His willingness to save those who turn to Him.

The recounting of past judgments is not merely a historical exercise but a call to live righteously in the present, with an awareness of God's ongoing involvement in the world and His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.