Graces or Punishments

God loves people so much that HE gives us the freedom to choose. We are fully responsible for our fate.

In Leviticus 26 – 27, God spoke explicitly. Keep HIS statues, people could receive blessings. Contradict to HIM, people would receive punishments instead.

In the covenant with men, God demanded us sole loyalty and strict observance of HIS laws. HE gives us the honor to choose for ourselves: comply with or disregard HIS rules. The LORD knows everything; we can’t hide from HIM or cheat HIM. The corresponding consequences, blessings or punishments, run without error.

God foresaw man’s failings and mentioned the remedy. In whatever circumstance, people are liable to use their free will to choose and pay efforts. We ought to keep God’s rules sternly with persistence to create well-being. No shortcut. No exemption.

Blessings from God:

1)      Graces such as rain, fertility of the land, abundant food supply.

2)      Dwelling safety from evil beasts and enemies.

3)      Prosperity.

4)      God’s presence.

5)      Free from slavery.

Praise God for all the blessings and never take them for granted lest we fail to be thankful.

Punishments from God:

1^st stage:

1)      Terror over sinners.

2)      Wasting disease and fever.

3)      Toil in vain.

4)      No more God’s presence.

5)      Being defeated by enemies.

6)      Fleeing with fright.

2^nd stage: (seven times more than the sins)

7)      Strike to the wrong idols.

8)      Toil in vain and infertility of the land.

3^rd stage: (ditto)

9)      Plagues

10)  Wild beasts killing men and livestock.

11)  Desolation of the marketplace.

4^th stage: (ditto)

12)  War.

13)  Pestilence.

14)  Cutting the food source and hunger spread.

5^th stage: (ditto)

15)  Eating sons and daughters to quench hunger.

16)  Destruction of the high place, people, etc.

17)  Cities to be desolated like the wild areas and sanctuary a ruin. No offerings can please God.

18)  Own land left empty.

19)  Dwelling in the land of their enemies to waste away.

20)  Decline of the nation.

Staying in comfort, people often drown in forgetfulness and recklessness. Gradually, they become lawless, disobey God and break HIS covenant. The several stages of punishments hint that the LORD is slow in wrath and always welcome people to reconcile with HIM. HE refuses to break the covenant and forsakes the Human. God’s love is incomparably magnanimous.

To reconcile with God, people must confess, be humbled and are willing to make atonement for all sins. God will remember the covenant with Jacob…and be with us.

God is the Creator. HE has the right to set the redeemed price and rules for man, animal, house, a field of one’s possession…We are precious if we will ourselves to obey God and act righteously in HIS delight; otherwise, we worth nothing.

Let’s pray to God:

Jesus Christ, our Lord, praise to You for using your free will to complete God’s salvation. Help us apply our free will to follow God’s word, love HIM, obey HIM and keep the covenant with HIM forever. Amen.