Punishment

Day one hundred forty-five

As I watch the news reports on what's going on in the world right now, I feel sympathy for those that are suffering due to storms, or government abuse, or war.  There is a lot of sadness in the world and it is on my mind.  So this morning I prayed for those that need to have the comfort of the Spirit with them. I asked the Lord to bless these people and those around them, that their needs might be met, that hearts might be softened, and that they might find the support they need.  I also asked that the Lord would bless me and my family with ways that we might serve those in need, that we might lighten their burdens. 

Numbers

The Lord continues to teach the Israelites that their behavior, good and bad, has consequences that follow. When they are obedient and love the Lord they are blessed, when they are wicked they are punished. These chapters are filled with lessons on justice and mercy. In Numbers 14 the Israelites are told that they will not be permitted into the promised land, but must wander in the wilderness for 40 years, because of their behavior. Is it justice or mercy?  I think it is a little of both. 

The Israelites will face some interesting punishments in chapters 15-36.  Here are a few:

Numbers 15 - A man is stoned for gathering sticks on the Sabbath day

Numbers 16 - Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and 250 leaders rebel and seek priestly offices—The earth swallows the three rebels and their families—Fire from the Lord consumes the 250 rebels—Israel murmurs against Moses and Aaron for slaying the people—The Lord sends a plague, from which 14,700 die.

Numbers 21 - The Israelites are plagued with fiery serpents

Numbers 25 - The Israelites who worship false gods are slain

Numbers 26 - Only Caleb and Joshua remain from those numbered at Sinai.

When you first read through these chapters it appears that God, as a parent, is hardcore when it comes to punishment.  But knowing His character, there has to be more to the punishment than God acting out in anger.  He has told us that everything He does is for our benefit, so what can we learn from the punishment of the Israelites?

First, the Lord warns the people that their behavior is wicked before any punishment.  He spells out what is expected of them and let's them know what the consequences will be.  The Lord is merciful, but there are limits to how much mercy can be extended before the law of justice must take effect.

Second, He doesn't let the behavior go on for long, He usually deals with it right away. This way it makes the greatest impact on those involved.

Third, He is willing to forgive the behavior if repentance is put into action, in fact, we are given many opportunities to repent and be obedient.  But continued rebellion brings punishment from God, usually of a harsher nature.  It has to, because punishment is a requirement of the law of justice.

Fourth, the laws and their punishments apply to everyone. Even Moses will be chastised by the Lord.

Fifth, the punishment is meant to be a teaching moment.

When it comes to punishment I tend to lean more towards the mercy side, I am a pretty tender hearted person, but over the years I have come to see the benefit of the justice side too and have even given myself the name 'merciless mom' when necessary. 

The hardest part for me is making sure that I am creating the teaching moment from the punishment.  It seems like when your children are little it is easier because every moment is a teaching moment and you know that they don't know any better.  It's when they are old enough to know better and have been punished for the same behavior before that it gets harder to not punish in anger, but to stop and figure out where the teaching moment is in the situation.  I am still working on that one and my boys are adults!

Finding the balance between justice and mercy is a challenge, but the Lord has given us some great examples to learn from, including the punishments we have faced in our own lives.  It's up to us to learn the lesson.