Topical Bible: Punishments were Inflicted without Partiality

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, the concept of impartial justice is a recurring theme, reflecting the character of God as a righteous judge who does not show favoritism. This principle is evident in the administration of punishments throughout the Scriptures, where both individuals and nations are held accountable for their actions without regard to status, ethnicity, or personal relationships.

Old Testament Examples

1. The Law of Moses: The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, emphasized impartiality in judgment. Deuteronomy 1:17 states, "Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God." This command underscores the expectation that judges and leaders were to administer justice fairly, reflecting God's own impartial nature.

2. Achan's Sin: In Joshua 7, Achan's transgression of taking forbidden items from Jericho led to Israel's defeat at Ai. Despite being an Israelite, Achan was not spared due to his heritage. Joshua 7:25 records, "And Joshua said, 'Why have you brought this trouble upon us? The LORD will bring trouble upon you this day.' Then all Israel stoned him with stones, and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones." This incident illustrates that even among God's chosen people, sin was met with severe consequences.

3. David's Punishment: King David, despite being a man after God's own heart, faced punishment for his sin with Bathsheba. In 2 Samuel 12:10-14, the prophet Nathan conveyed God's judgment, resulting in the death of David's child. This demonstrates that even the king was not exempt from divine justice.

New Testament Examples

1. Ananias and Sapphira: In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit about the proceeds from the sale of their property. Acts 5:3-5 recounts Peter's confrontation with Ananias, leading to his immediate death. This event highlights the seriousness of sin within the early church and God's impartial judgment.

2. The Judgment Seat of Christ: The New Testament teaches that all believers will stand before Christ to give an account of their lives. 2 Corinthians 5:10 states, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad." This future judgment underscores the impartiality of Christ's evaluation of each believer's deeds.

Theological Implications

The impartiality of divine punishment serves as a sobering reminder of God's holiness and justice. It reinforces the biblical truth that God does not tolerate sin and that His standards are unwavering. This principle calls believers to live righteously, knowing that God judges without favoritism. Romans 2:11 affirms, "For God does not show favoritism."

Practical Application

Believers are called to emulate God's impartiality in their own lives, particularly in matters of justice and fairness. James 2:1 admonishes, "My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism." Christians are encouraged to uphold justice and equity, reflecting God's character in their interactions with others.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 13:6-8
If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, which is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which you have not known, you, nor your fathers;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Impiety of the Magic Art, which is Dependent on the ...
... which appointed a punishment to be inflicted on him ... a crime, by which they knew they
were made safe ... by denying it, to escape temporal punishments, but rather ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 19 of the impiety of.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... The supernatural consequences of the apostasy from the Lord, were the
severe punishments which He inflicted upon the people. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

Sozomen as Author.
... intention of persecuting them." The punishments inflicted in Constantius ... pain of
registering all who were ejected from ... 27), for no province was without its list ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/part ii sozomen as author.htm

Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the ...
... and courts, with power to revise decisions and to mete out punishments. ... Thus all
the abuses inflicted on us when subjects of a crown, were fastened on us ...
/.../chapter xiv political parties in.htm

The Counter-Reformation
... to marriages, benefices, ecclesiastical punishments, etc., were ... The religious rebellion
inflicted serious losses on ... provinces that once were flourishing; but ...
/.../chapter iv the counter-reformation.htm

Extracts No. X.
... could or should be forgiven their sins without faith and ... his departure was at hand;
the above were his dying ... a future state of rewards and punishments had on ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no x.htm

According to which principle or hypothesis all the objections ...
... commonly called) do generally themselves acknowledge, that without the outward ... no
ground to say, That this were injustice in God, or partiality, more than ...
/.../proposition vi according to which.htm