What the Thief on the Cross Understood (11/13)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 23; John 18-19.

There are several lessons to be learned from the thief who was crucified next to Jesus. Notice what Luke recorded in his gospel:

One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, ‘Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ But the other answered, and rebuking him said, ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!’ And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise’” (Luke 23:39-43).

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Just As You Were a Curse, You May Become a Blessing (9/22)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Zechariah 8-14.

‘It will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong’” (Zechariah 8:13).

Though God’s people had been punished by Him for their unfaithfulness – and it had been done in a manner that was very visible and obvious to the nations around them – God was going to bless them such that they would “become a blessing.” This refers to the promise made to Abraham: “And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). God would keep His promise. But the people also needed to respond appropriately to the grace which God would show to them.
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"Their Justice and Authority Originate with Themselves" (8/20)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Habakkuk 1-3.

The Lord was sending the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to punish the people of Judah. The Chaldeans were not chosen because they were a righteous people or because their works were approved by God. They were simply a tool that the Lord used to accomplish His work of punishing His people for their sins.

For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that fierce and impetuous people who march throughout the earth to seize dwelling places which are not theirs. They are dreaded and feared; their justice and authority originate with themselves” (Habakkuk 1:6-7).

There are a few points we can take from these verses:
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Woe to the Oppressive Rulers (8/12)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Jeremiah 18-22.

‘Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness and his upper rooms without justice, who uses his neighbor’s services without pay and does not give him his wages, who says, “I will build myself a roomy house with spacious upper rooms, and cut out its windows, paneling it with cedar and painting it bright red.” Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?’ declares the Lord. ‘But your eyes and your heart are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, and on shedding innocent blood and on practicing oppression and extortion’” (Jeremiah 22:13-17).

At the beginning of this passage, it may be easy to assume that the Lord is addressing the rich in general. But as we continue on in the context, it is clear that he is referring to those who rule over the people.
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"Each Shall Be Put to Death for His Own Sin" (7/6)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25.

Amaziah became king of Judah after his father, Joash, was killed. When an appropriate time came, he punished those who were guilty of killing his father.

Now it came about, as soon as the kingdom was firmly in his hand, that he killed his servants who had slain the king his father. But the sons of the slayers he did not put to death, according to what is written in the book of the Law of Moses, as the Lord commanded, saying, ‘The fathers shall not be put to death for the sons, nor the sons be put to death for the fathers; but each shall be put to death for his own sin” (2 Kings 14:5-6).

Amaziah could have reacted emotionally, rather than according to the Law. It would have been easy to do so since it was his father that had been killed. But rather than overreact and kill the children of the guilty men, he killed only those who were guilty. This was in keeping with the law (Deuteronomy 24:16).
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Justice and Its Source (6/18)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 27-29.

Civil authorities have a role to play in handing down justice to men. Justice is one of the key components necessary to having stability and peace in a country.

The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it” (Proverbs 29:4).

But what is the basis of this justice? How should we (or the rulers) determine what is just in a given situation?
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Destroying a City Over One Man (5/19)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 19-21.

Sheba, leader of a rebellion against David, was pursued and trapped by Joab in the city of Beth-maacah. In an effort to capture this man, Joab besieged the city and his men began attacking the wall in order to topple it (2 Samuel 20:14-15). As this was happening, a wise woman came out to reason with Joab in order to spare the city.

‘I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?’ Joab replied, ‘Far be it, far be it from me that I should swallow up or destroy! Such is not the case. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against King David. Only hand him over, and I will depart from the city.’ And the woman said to Joab, ‘Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.’

Then the woman wisely came to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, each to his tent. Joab also returned to the king in Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 20:19-22).

There are some principles of justice found in this account:
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