IS GOD PUNITIVE?

By pilgrim 5 March, 2023 PILGRIMAGE 1 Comment

When the concept of God is discussed, this is an oft-asked question. And when we read through the Old Testament descriptions of God, it is not unusual to come away with that conclusion, as we read through accounts of God punishing those who rebel against him. Interestingly, the great debate between Job and his three friends revolves around this very question. His friends accuse him of being sinful and hence inviting the wrath of a punitive God. Job on the other hand is self-righteous and says that he does not deserve the suffering that came upon him because God should limit pain only to those who are not faithful to him. His theology of God being punitive in fact resonates with that of his friends. God eventually had to correct them both.

God is not punitive, rather defined by love. God is love. Love and everything that is good is intrinsic to God and flows out from him. And love would be the only thing that we see in this universe but for the sin of man. The wages of sin is death and a perfect God also needs to be perfect in his judgment. If we have been given the privilege of living in this world where the rules of the world state that sin shall lead to death, should we be surprised by suffering that comes upon us consequent to sin? And interpreting that suffering as God being deliberately vengeful is erroneous.

As God elucidates the ten commandments, we read-

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Deuter 5:9,10)

This is the cardinal rule for this universe. It is not a stretch to ask the created man to bow down and worship the creator God. And failing to do so invites the judgment of God which is intuitive. However, more prominent than the judgment is the love of God that extends to a thousand generations of those who love and honor God. God’s love is what defines him. And his righteous judgment cannot be interpreted as God being punitive.