Judgment as Evidence of Promise

Scripture: Since every good thing the Lord your God promised you has come about, so he will bring on you every bad thing until he has annihilated you from this good land the Lord your God has given you. If you break the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow in worship to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly disappear from this good land he has given you. Joshua 23:15-16

Observation: Joshua's farewell to Israel is effectively a warning about remaining faithful to the Lord. In this, he is very clear about the fact that, if Israel turns away from the Lord and worships other gods, they will receive all the wrath and punishment that was pronounced to them in the law of Moses. However, in order to make clear that such judgment and punishment is certain, he juxtaposes it against everything the Lord has done for Israel. The Lord promised to deliver them into the land and drive out the other nations, and he has done so. He promises to bless them as they uphold his laws and worship him, and he has done so. Therefore, his word is trustworthy, and if he has also said he will punish due to transgression, he will do so.

Application: The confusion over how a loving God can also judge and punish people has existed since ... well, probably since the beginning. It seems even Cain was surprised by his punishment. Joshua's explanation is actually very enlightening.

It is by the fact that the Lord cares for us, blesses us, and helps us, that he must also judge us. All of this is evidence of promise. The Lord has promised to love everyone, but to especially uphold those faithful to him, and to determine as evidence of that faithfulness simple belief in Jesus. He has also promised that there are ramifications for rejecting Jesus. If the Lord abandoned that promise - if there were no ramifications for rejecting Jesus - we could not be sure in the promise of salvation.

In this way, judgment is a comfort, for it provides proof of the promise and thus encourages faith. Perhaps that does not make it less painful when we worry that someone has died is a state of rejection of Jesus, and thus is under judgment ... but it does provide assurance for a future in heaven.

Prayer: Lord, your promises are sure. You have given us so much in life, including proof that your word is true as evidenced by your actions. I cling to your word and your promised salvation through faith in Jesus, knowing it is trustworthy. Amen.