It is my observation that discipline has been rejected among many believers today. They may want it for others, but not for themselves. The false teaching that God loves people with no consequences for sinful conduct is pervasive. The truth is that the God of the Bible is a God of love, but He lovingly instructs and disciplines His children. He is not a god of mythology who seeks to punish and must be appeased by our actions to avoid his wrath. Still, some perceive especially the God of the Hebrew Scriptures as a tyrant, punishing the Israelites for their sinful conduct. So, how do we answer them in the light of examples from the Torah? Much of what’s written there was instructive for a prosperous life. In Deuteronomy 6:3 and 18, the phrase “that it may be well with you” is a positive admonition to Israel. Also, Deuteronomy 6:15 is a warning of severe discipline: (for the Lord your God is a jealous God among you), lest the anger of the Lord your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth. Is there not blessing and cursing in the law?
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This article first appeared in Ariel Magazine, Summer 2018 / Volume 1 / #27, pp 22-23. It has been republished here with permission by the copyright owner: Ariel Ministries USA, 11926 Radium St, San Antonio, TX 78216, USA. © 2022 by Ariel Ministries USA. All rights reserved.
