Go Unpunished

Proverbs 6:27-29

27Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? 28Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? 29So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

Say, “No!”

If anyone may defy authorities should they be punished or given clemency? A father warned his daughter, “Don’t run! You will stumble.” But the young girl ran instead. The father shouted, “No, Don’t run!” The kid found it amusing to disregard her father, and she ran faster; then, she stumbled down and cried.

Someone suggested, “If possible, avoid telling children, ‘No!’” Why’s that? When you say “no” to children, most often, they do the exact thing you told them to avoid? Why? It exemplifies that humans are amused of defiance to authorities. How many individuals can realize that obedience to parents brings them blessing? What better challenge can be given if you want children avoid what’s forbidden? You may plan and present a better choice instead of just saying “no” to them.

Moses presented a challenge to Israel in Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 1If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.

God chose the Israelites as his holy nation. He practically showed his love for them. He challenged how they may receive his blessings. When Joshua was their leader, the Israelites served the Lord. God is faithful. He fulfilled his promises to the Israelites.  How do you appreciate what it was declared in Joshua 21:45?

 45Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled.

The Lord fulfilled his promises to Israel when they obeyed and served him. It’s only by faith, we serve the Lord. However, when we defy him, we can expect punishment. Defiance to the warning of the Lord is like scooping fire into our lap.

1.  Scoop

27Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? 28Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?

Defiance to the warning of the Lord has painful consequences. Practically, it is compared to scooping fire that burns our clothes. What can we learn from that?

Ordinary clothing can be easily burned as compared to special clothing used by firemen at work. The attire of firemen at work should be resistant to flames.  We do not want our clothes to be burned, right? Burn can cause us pain.

Defiance to the warning of the Lord causes painful consequences; it can also be compared to a man who walks on hot coals and scorches his feet. Can you walk on hot coals on bare feet without burning your feet? There are magicians or people who walk on hot coals without getting their feet scorched or burned.

The lesson here is not about finding ways to scoop fire and not get burned or having magical talent to walk on hot coals without getting scorched or burned.

We’re warned that defiance to the warning of God can cause us unbearable grief similar to the agonizing pain of being burned. It declares in Galatians 6:7-10,

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Traffic

How many dollars does the government collects or earns because of traffic violations? It is much better to follow traffic rules and regulations to avoid heavy penalty. It is far better to respect employer and you will be a candidate for salary increase or promotion. Students who obey their teacher are given better grades.

Yet, even believers are not exempted; we can still commit mistakes when we are negligent. That’s why we need the Holy Spirit to remind us occasionally.

How should we explain what it says in Hebrews 4:12-13? 12The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

The word of God practically teaches us reverence to him, and God blesses obedience to him. Pray that you’ll be alert and not fall asleep when God speaks.

2.  Sleep

29So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

The Scripture has emphasized that defiance to this warning is punishable.

God decreed punishment for anyone who sleeps with another man’s wife. Truly, the Lord has provided multiple warnings about adultery, and not just in the Book of Proverbs, but all over the Scripture, why? Adultery is an act of infidelity. Committing adultery illustrates unfaithfulness to relationship to the Lord our God.

Here’s a secret to lifelong relationship. Ephesians 5:22-27 teaches, 22Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

It’s biblical secret for married couples who wish to grow mature spiritually. And, it is not expected that anyone who can read will follow this biblical advice. The word of God can only be appreciated and followed by genuine believers.

So, it’s not wise to impose admonition from God on anyone. It only attracts argument. It is by faith that we believe and obey the word of God, and faith is gift of God to believers whom he had chosen to believe and follow his instruction.

Faithfulness of married couples to their spouse is the nearest illustration of faithfulness in our relationship with the Lord. Practically, faithfulness to the Lord proves that our faith in him is active and strong. God blesses the faithful believers.

We’re warned against unfaithfulness because nobody is naturally faithful. The Lord wants us to be faithful because he wants to bless us more. When we are filled with his Holy Spirit, we can be faithful and obey him. Pray to be faithful.

The Lord promised to Abraham in Genesis 22:17-18, 18Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.

God fulfilled his promises to Abraham. He blessed Abraham abundantly.  And we’re children of Abraham.  Abraham is the father of faithful believers.  And, God blesses us so that we become instrumental to bless others. How?

We can start by praying for increase of faith and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  By the grace of God, may we be found faithful and obey his instruction.  May God bless us also to faithfully accomplish his mission purposes in us! Amen!

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