City Life Starter

I. The Word: Jeremiah 5:26-30

26 “Among my people are wicked men

   who lie in wait for victims like a hunter hiding in a blind.

They continually set traps

   to catch people.

27 Like a cage filled with birds,

   their homes are filled with evil plots.

   And now they are great and rich.

28 They are fat and sleek,

   and there is no limit to their wicked deeds.

They refuse to provide justice to orphans

   and deny the rights of the poor.

29 Should I not punish them for this?” says the Lord.

   “Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?

30 A horrible and shocking thing

   has happened in this land “

By Danielle Clark

Jeremiah spends his book convicting Israel of its sin and prophesying its upcoming destruction. This passage describes sins against vulnerable human beings; it depicts trafficking, exploiting the poor, and mistreating orphans. After explaining the way in which Israel’s elite have taken advantage of those beneath them, God rhetorically asks how he couldn’t punish them for their “horrible and shocking” crimes. God intentionally allows Israel’s destruction by Babylon as penance for their many sins. Though He allows their defeat, He still provides them hope and mercy through a coming Messiah.  

Application

Never has there been a more formal publication of injustice against ethnic minorities, women, children, slaves, orphans, and the impoverished.  This awareness causes many to wonder how a good God could allow such worldwide suffering; though a compelling question, it conflicts with secularism’s idea that a good God could never send people to Hell. If we recognize evil throughout the world, isn’t it only good that God provides retribution to defend its victims?

On the surface, denying the existence of hell sounds likes the highest love. But what about love for the victims? Many people correctly recite that Jesus hung out with sinners and defended the vulnerable, but many forget that God did the same thing in the Old Testament.  Secular society associates the God of the Old Testament with wrath and eternal damnation but fails to realize that His wrath defended the innocent and outcast. Yes, God has provided eternal salvation for everyone by receiving the penalty Himself. However, some will reject His sacrifice, and at that point punishing the perpetrator is the only way to provide loving justice to their victims.