During one of Judah’s most rebellious periods, under arguably its wickedest king … it enjoyed a great time of peace and prosperity. How does that square with God’s warnings that sin would bring discipline and judgement? The hardships of discipline are designed by God to bring people to repentance and restoration of relationship. But God has more than one tool in his tool box.
Once I did something that could have greatly angered my dad. It involved the misuse of a tool that I was not supposed to touch. When he discovered it … he didn’t say a word. He just gave me one look (a mix of disappointment and sympathy) and then went back to treating me with love. No punishment. Oddly that made a deeper impression than any spanking or rebuke. Sometimes a wise parent tries patience and kindness in the midst of disobedience to draw a child into a deeper relationship. God’s punishment of sin is meant to bring us to repentance … but so is God’s patience and kindness.
The famous description of man’s depravity in Romans 1 is followed by an often neglected warning against hypocritical judgement; condemning in others sins of which you are guilty. But the passage also contains valuable insight into our Heavenly Father’s parenting technique.
So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:3-4
As with his people long ago, God does not always bring immediate consequences for our sin. His forbearance offers an opportunity to turn to him based on love rather than punishment. His kindness is meant to lead you to forgiveness.
