May 20, 2020
Punishment #
Proverbs 19:5, 9, 25, 29
Introduction
The Bible clearly shows and displays the compassion, and love of God. Sometimes, people ask the question, “How can a loving God punish people?” Some people could be confused by that. A mom, that loves her child, will at times have to punish and correct her child. Jesus illustrates the undying love of God in the parable of the prodigal son, and at the same time, we can see the need for correction and punishment in
Proverbs 3:12 – For whom the LORD loveth, he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Heb. 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
So clearly God does punish, and He punishes those He loves.
Punishment – Any pain or suffering inflicted on a person for a crime or offense, by the authority to which the offender is subject, either by the constitution of God or of civil society. The punishment of the faults and offenses of the children by the parent, is by virtue of the right of government with which the parent is invested by God himself. … The right of punishment belongs only to persons clothed with authority. Pain, loss or evil willfully inflicted on another for his crimes or offenses by a private unauthorized person, is revenge rather than punishment.
I. Accurate Records are kept (5, 9) #
Prov. 19:5 ¶ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
Prov. 19:9 ¶ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
A. Records - Wrong doing – false witness (phrase usage) #
1. God’s accounting department #
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Idle words: avg/day – 15-16,000, 5 million/year!
- More talkative, 70,000/day
Matt. 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
- Hairs – avg 80,000-120,000
Matt. 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
2. False witness – witnessing something false. #
- Obviously out right lie
- Gossip, slander
- Pro 6:16 – These six things doth the LORD hate:… (19) a false witness
B. Reaping #
1. Not escape – God’s records are accurate, and they are securely guarded… they won’t slip His mind. #
- Sometimes it seems like people get away with gossip, slander… God has it.
2. shall perish (Rom 6:23 – For the wages of sin is #
Rev. 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
II. Admonition from Punishment (25) #
P19:25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
Admonition – authoritative counsel or warning
A. Scorner #
1. Someone who despises authority, and refuses #
Prov. 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
2. A scorner, will not learn from the punishment, it will drive his hatred, despise, and scorn for authority deeper. - Take heart, they may be a lost cause, the next phrase gives us hope. #
B. Simple learn (simple will beware) #
1. The simple, take note of punishment that is handed out #
2. They may be simple, but they are not rebellious. #
C. Smart will learn! #
1. When you have to reprimand, or punish someone that does understand… he will learn from it. #
2. We all make mistakes, we all have been punished at some point.. #
- David’s sin with Bathsheba, Nathan the prophet
2Sam. 12:13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
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3. Do we learn from it? Repent, Grow? #
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III. Adequate Punishment (28-29) #
scorn – to hold something in contempt, or be of the opinion that it is despicable.
Prov. 19:28 ¶ An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
Prov. 19:29 ¶ Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
A. Despise for Authority (28a) #
1. There are those who despise authority #
- They hate those who call out there sin
- They hate those who judge their sin
2. Sorry for being caught, but not for sin #
- Saul, saving the sheep from the Amalekites.
- He denied sinning… Excused it by claiming it was for God.
- Admitted his sin to Samuel, but wasn’t repentant in heart!
1Sam. 15:26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.