Topical Bible: The Jews: Punished For: Transgressing the Law

◄ The Jews: Punished For: Transgressing the Law ►

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Throughout the Old Testament, the Jewish people, chosen by God as His covenant nation, experienced periods of divine punishment as a direct consequence of their transgressions against God's Law. This theme is recurrent, illustrating the holiness of God and the seriousness with which He regards His commandments.

1. The Covenant and the Law

The Law, given through Moses, was a central element of the covenant between God and Israel. It was intended to set the Israelites apart as a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). The Law encompassed moral, ceremonial, and civil precepts, and adherence to it was a condition for receiving God's blessings.

2. Instances of Punishment

· The Golden Calf Incident: One of the earliest instances of punishment for transgressing the Law occurred when the Israelites fashioned a golden calf at Mount Sinai. Despite having just received the Ten Commandments, they quickly turned to idolatry. God's anger burned against them, and Moses interceded on their behalf. Nevertheless, about three thousand men fell by the sword as a consequence (Exodus 32:28).

· The Wilderness Wanderings: The generation that left Egypt was condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty years due to their unbelief and disobedience, particularly at Kadesh Barnea when they refused to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:22-23). This punishment was a direct result of their lack of faith and rebellion against God's command.

· The Babylonian Exile: Perhaps the most significant punishment for transgressing the Law was the Babylonian Exile. The prophets, including Jeremiah and Ezekiel, repeatedly warned the people of Judah about their idolatry, injustice, and failure to keep the Sabbath. Despite these warnings, the people persisted in their sins, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC and the subsequent exile to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:15-17).

3. Prophetic Warnings and Calls to Repentance

The prophets played a crucial role in calling the Jewish people back to the Law. They warned of impending judgment while also offering hope for restoration if the people would repent. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, among others, emphasized the need for genuine repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness (Isaiah 1:16-20; Jeremiah 7:3-7).

4. Theological Implications

The punishments for transgressing the Law underscore the holiness and justice of God. They serve as a reminder of the serious nature of sin and the necessity of obedience to God's commands. The Law was not merely a set of rules but a reflection of God's character and His desire for His people to live in a way that honored Him.

5. Restoration and Hope

Despite the severity of the punishments, God's ultimate purpose was not destruction but restoration. The promise of a new covenant, as prophesied by Jeremiah, pointed to a future where God's Law would be written on the hearts of His people, and they would know Him intimately (Jeremiah 31:31-34). This hope of restoration is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the Law and offers redemption to all who believe.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 1:4,7
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they are gone away backward.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 24:5,6
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
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Library

How Xerxes the Son of Darius was Well Disposed to the Jews; as ...
... the king, he may be punished, as not transgressing it out ... and contemns it; and such
may be punished by death ... read the epistle at Babylon to those Jews that were ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how xerxes the.htm

The Law of Christian Conscience.
... stealing which was admired; the child was punished if the ... love thine enemy." And
had the Jews acted upon ... did it thinking it to be wrong, transgressing that law ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xvi the law of christian.htm

Sedition of the Jews against Pontius Pilate. Concerning Christ ...
... by an accusation laid against him for transgressing their laws ... be made about it,
ordered all the Jews to be ... them to the island Sardinia; but punished a greater ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 sedition of the.htm

Rom. x. 1
... zeal, they deserved to be pitied rather than punished. ... being still newly come in),
and lest Jews should again ... then afraid, he says, as if transgressing the Law ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvii rom x 1.htm

Letter Lxxxviii. (AD 406. )
... render evil for evil, we should be transgressing the law ... it, and men corrected rather
than punished; and as ... Paul debates were held not only with Jews, but even ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxxviii a d 406.htm

Matt. xvi. 28
... men were continually accusing Him of transgressing the law ... things they trembled more
than the Jews of old ... is without, but nevertheless is punished: which will ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lvi matt xvi 28.htm

Several Laws.
The Antiquities of the Jews. ... became such, though they were of the same stock, by
transgressing some of ... of which was not capital, but they were punished by this ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 several laws.htm

Matt. xv. 1
... he who dishonors them in word is punished, much more ... justly entitled to blame men
for transgressing a command ... indeed all the religion of the Jews is comprised ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily li matt xv 1.htm

Reformation
... warned them that they would be punished if they ... and could not speak in the Jews'
language, but ... The fearful results of transgressing God's commands are placed ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 57 reformation.htm

Matt. v. 17
... In one way, by transgressing none of the precepts of ... fulfill all righteousness."
[677] And to the Jews also He ... if any one call another a fool, is he punished? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xvi matt v 17.htm