The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Judges 1:1-7, “Now it came about after the death of Joshua that the sons of Israel inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?’
2 The LORD said, ‘Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.’
3 Then Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me into the territory allotted me, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I in turn will go with you into the territory allotted you.” So, Simeon went with him.
4 Judah went up, and the LORD gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hands, and they defeated ten thousand men at Bezek.
5 They found Adoni-bezek in Bezek and fought against him, and they defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
6 But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and big toes.
7 Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to gather up scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.”

Have you ever heard of the “Law of Retributive Justice”? Possibly not; however, what you have just read is the prime example of it. The LORD’s Word, spoken through the Prophet Jeremiah says, “As she (the Babylonians) has done to others, so do to her” (Jer. 50:15).

The LORD then spoke saying, “Summon many against Babylon, all those who bend the bow: encamp against her on every side, Let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; according to all that she has done, so do to her; For she has become arrogant against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel” (Jer. 50:29).

Thus, Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to gather up scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.”

It undoubtedly was a punishment unlike any Adoni-bezek had ever previously received. We should note
that our LORD’s punishments are not softened for us
anymore than for Adoni-bezek. We are able to hear and understand His Word; thus, when we refuse or neglect to do as He has commanded, we should not be surprised at His reactionary punishment.

When my dear Mother punished me, she always reminded me why. God does the same with us. The
key is to obey, so we’ll never be surprised.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom