In the biblical narrative, the concept of divine judgment as a response to iniquity is a recurring theme. Iniquity, often understood as gross injustice or wickedness, is met with God's righteous judgment throughout Scripture. This entry explores the biblical basis for understanding judgments as a divine response to human iniquity.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament provides numerous examples where God's judgments are depicted as a direct consequence of iniquity. The account of the Great Flood in Genesis is one of the earliest instances. Humanity's pervasive wickedness prompted God to cleanse the earth through a flood, sparing only Noah and his family. Genesis 6:5-7 states, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, 'I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.'"

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is another poignant example. The cities were infamous for their grievous sins, and God's judgment was executed through fire and brimstone. Genesis 19:24-25 records, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground."

The prophetic books also emphasize this theme. The prophet Isaiah speaks of judgment as a response to iniquity, highlighting the moral and spiritual decay of Israel. Isaiah 13:11 declares, "I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity; I will end the haughtiness of the arrogant and lay low the pride of the ruthless."

New Testament Continuation

The New Testament continues to affirm the principle that divine judgment is a response to iniquity. Jesus Himself warns of judgment for unrepentant cities, drawing parallels to Sodom and Gomorrah. In Matthew 11:23-24 , He states, "And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

The Apostle Paul also addresses this theme, particularly in his letter to the Romans. Romans 1:18 articulates, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness." Paul underscores that God's judgment is a righteous response to human iniquity, emphasizing the need for repentance and faith in Christ.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of judgment as a response to iniquity underscores God's holiness and justice. It reflects the biblical understanding that God cannot tolerate sin and must address it to uphold His righteous character. This theme serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the necessity of seeking God's mercy and forgiveness.

Throughout Scripture, the call to repentance is intertwined with the warning of judgment. The consistent message is that while God is just in His judgments, He is also merciful, offering redemption and restoration to those who turn from their iniquity and seek Him.Isaiah 26:21
For, behold, the LORD comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 24:13,14
In your filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged you, and you were not purged, you shall not be purged from your filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest on you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... "Far be wickedness from God and iniquity from the ... to the Supreme Governor, and liable
to punishment, if in ... may be involved in the judgments sent to punish the ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... forsake My Law, and walk not in My judgments: if they ... Shemaiah told him it was as
a punishment sent him by ... of Elisha, and the water which was sent to relieve ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

Jeremiah
... bring upon the impenitent nation the judgments that had ... of My servants the prophets,
whom I sent unto you ... would preserve them from a just punishment for their ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 34 jeremiah.htm

As the Foam Upon Water
... several occasions the six hundred were sent in defense ... How unsearchable are his
judgments, and his ... The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter xx as the foam.htm

Psalm LXXIX.
... way here also by him the judgments are spoken of ... even he, according to the prophecy
sent before concerning ... is slain, or whether the last punishment is rendered ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxix.htm

The Book of the Law
... were accompanied by prophecies of judgments against the ... Through Huldah the Lord sent
Josiah word that ... before God, they could not escape their punishment. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 33 the book of.htm

Acts xx. 1
... a generous (philosophou) soul to inflict punishment, but it ... as the instruments: when
the judgments in Egypt ... receiveth Me, receiveth Him that sent Me." (Matthew ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xliii acts xx 1.htm

Approaching Doom
... Jeremiah and Baruch, and he forthwith sent for them ... to hear, and He pronounced His
final judgments upon Judah ... contained and the swift-coming punishment God had ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

Brief Directions How to Read the Holy Scriptures once Every Year ...
... and what fearful examples of God's punishment or vengeance ... were so many letters or
epistles sent down from ... confounding them with my just judgments, which their ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/brief directions how to read.htm

Psalm VII.
... how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past ... From thence the Apostles are
sent forth like arrows ... may understand that each man's punishment is wrought ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm vii.htm

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