People sometimes ask me, “How come the God of the Old Testament seems so cruel and harsh compared to the God of the New Testament?” To answer that question, I start by assuring them that He doesn’t have multiple personalities—the God of the Old and New Testaments is the same God. He’s “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). I then explain that a good God can’t tolerate sin—an uncomfortable truth for some to acknowledge.
When we read that Achan hid forbidden things in his tent (Joshua 7:20-22) and died for his sin along with all his family, it’s hard to not view his punishment as harsh (Joshua 7:25). It’s vital, however, for us to grasp how seriously God views all sin. He despises it. He doesn’t merely dislike it or find it distasteful (Proverbs 6:16). The act of Achan’s family being destroyed isn’t an example of God’s anger and vengefulness, but a demonstration of His holiness, purity, and perfect character.
As we consider God’s faithful character, it’s vital that we look to the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus said to God the Father, “Take this cup of suffering away from me” (Luke 22:42). And then we need to ask ourselves, what was in the cup? The answer: Out of love, Jesus took the punishment of our rebellion. All our sins filled the cup that Jesus “drank” for us. God spared Him nothing as He was crucified on a cross because “God loved the world”—loved us (John 3:16).
Once we realize the enormity of our rebellion against God, then and only then are we able to see the incredible cost of His grace! There’s no righteous wrath left for those who trust in Jesus, for love compelled Him to “[carry] our sins” on the cross (1 Peter 2:24).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Kings 22:1–23:3
More:
Read Matthew 26:36-46 and consider the pain Jesus experienced as He took the punishment for your sin.
Next:
How do you share this challenging aspect of the gospel? Why would it be wrong for God to not deal with sin in such a serious way?
Gary Shultz on April 27, 2016 at 6:20 am
Russell, not much needs to be added to what you said today, God’s work is beyond amazing. I do know one thing about what seems like different treatment. God did work with people’s failures with new covenants, new conditions, with more grace added. With the grace more and different responsibility. Sin has always been sin, box it up with new titles, say it’s an illness, it’s still sin and God hates what it has done to us. Jesus wept over Jerusalem two times, it wasn’t for Himself it was for them. As you know, we twist God’s grace for a relaxed attitude toward sin. God never indicated we should or could relax in the same world with sin, He just showed us His grace to allow more children. We for the most part have failed, again, and have slopped all over one of the greatest periods of history to be closer to God. Even we, the washed, will answer for being sloppy with this gift and ignoring and misinterpreting our work to uphold God’s glory. Serious stuff Russell, thanks.
gagirllive on April 27, 2016 at 7:16 am
I was thinking the same thing, Gary—Grace doesn’t give us an excuse to live a sloppy life. Appreciate your thoughts here.
gagirllive on April 27, 2016 at 8:17 am
Russell, that is a question that many unbelievers (and perhaps even believers) have wondered about…that, and the question as to why so often, as in the story of Achan, did “innocent” family members (wives, children, servants) also suffer the punishment of the one who sinned. I’m not sure I can rightly answer the second part of that, but I do point them to the cross where this SAME God poured out His righteous judgement against sin on His precious, sinless Son. It truly is beyond humbling to know that the cup that Jesus drank was the cup of the Father’s wrath against us for our sins. How amazing is it that God’s divine and righteous judgement against us for our personal sins was meted out upon Jesus! Grace. When we realize what we have been given and pardoned from, how can we live anything but grateful, surrendered lives to the One who made it all possible? Thank you for this treasured word today, Russell. Grace and peace to you and all my friends here.
godlove on April 27, 2016 at 12:24 pm
Well, my dear gagirl, we don’t know (the passage does not say) whether Achan’s family members were innocent or not. He stole the goods but maybe (I’m just guessing) they helped him hide it and cover up the sin, thereby participating in the sin. You are so right, we must truly live grateful for having been forgiven, by living to please Him and making every effort to abstain from sin, not by our human strength but trusting and relying on His Spirit in us to help us. Be blessed.
gagirllive on April 27, 2016 at 4:36 pm
You’re right, my brother. The passage doesn’t say one way or the other if all who died with Achan shared in his sin. As I read through the Old Testament, there are other stories with similar outcomes that make me wonder. Hmm…I think my take away on it is that our “personal sins” are not so personal after all. The choices we make can have deep—even tragic and far-reaching consequences on other people in our lives. I do know that God does not hold other people accountable in terms of judgement/punishment for our sins. I’m thinking of people who were abused then go on to live as an abuser. Their abuser will certainly be held accountable, but they will also be accountable for the choices they are now making as a result of their abuse. Am I making any sense? Any additional thoughts to this anyone?
samgaskill on April 27, 2016 at 10:35 am
Lots to ponder on today. Blessed by this devotional message today and all the comments shared. The insight shared is so helpful and encouraging. Thank you Lord for all You are doing in us and through us. May all who visit here today come away with a treasure to store in their hearts. Blessings to my fellow travelers here on the road to God’s kingdom!
godlove on April 27, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Like human fathers who would normally want what is best FOR their children but also want the best behaviour FROM their children, our heavenly Father has set His standards of what He requires from us. When you look closely you realise that usually His standards (also called commands) are not even just to satisfy Him but for our own good, to make our common human life experience a better one. I would guess that breaking the Lord’s covenant by stealing what was set apart for Him was probably not the only sin committed in that community but it was the sin which angered God the most. Our God does not take pleasure in punishing his children for sins but requires that we do not sin, although he knows that being in the flesh we are bound by sin since the fall of Adam. Romans 3:23-26 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight… through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins… [God] himself is fair and just, and He makes sinners right in His sight when they believe in Jesus.” I think we will never fully grasp how high, how deep, how long and how wide the extent of God’s Love for us is, that He sacrificed His own Son to bear the sins of all the world, so that we may not be punished as we would normally deserve to be. Praise and thanks be to God Almighty for His infinite grace and mercy shown towards us; may He help us not aggrieve the Holy Spirit in us by continuing to sin. Thanks for this reminder Russell. Blessings to all.