by Neil Prott

[Numbers denote references supplied in the footnotes at the end of the article. Bible quotes are from the RSV and NASB]

 

Sooner or later everyone thinks seriously about adversity. Every day we see coverage of the sufferings and hardships endured by others, but perhaps it is only when we go through such experiences that we ponder the meaning at a deep level.

Countless philosophers and authors have addressed "the problem of pain" and arrived at diverse and even conflicting views. For the Christian, the priority is to discover what the Lord of all creation has said about the matter. The aim of this short article is to throw some light on a subject with vast implications for everyone. We will take particular note of what the Scriptures say about affliction.

The word "affliction" is used in most English translations of the Bible to cover a range of subjects including disease, disability, persecution, oppression, and even death. Such suffering is both an effect of sin in the world, and the penalty deserved by sinners.1 No less than 27 different Hebrew and Greek words are translated in this way (see Appendix 1). When we come to the Bible with an open mind we soon realise that it deals with the subject in a unique way. In order to understand something of the difficulty we have in 'tuning in' to God's Word, it is helpful to consider some attitudes current in our community.

THE FLIGHT FROM PAIN

The colossal advances in medical science have reduced the amount of physical pain experienced by people in the Western World. Historically, it wasn't that long ago that operations (including amputations) were done without any anaesthetic. From early in the 19th Century the use of ether, 'laughing gas', and chloroform, transformed the prospect of those facing surgery. More recently, physicians have developed a drug regimen for the control of pain experienced through serious and/or terminal disease. Although some of the substances used are addictive (e.g. morphine, pethidine), under proper supervision they can be most effective. Pain-killing gases are often used to help accident victims on their way to hospital. Dental work has become much less painful for the patient. High-speed drills and local anaesthetics have reduced the pain of such procedures to a minimum. A person with a headache may reach for a preparation containing paracetamol or codeine. Anxiety is commonly treated with Valium. The businessman with a problem may resort to alcohol or nicotine. Put simply, we live in a generation that believes that any kind of pain is bad. Therefore, we conclude that anyone who causes pain, especially when it could be prevented or alleviated, is bad. This has important implications for the way we think about affliction in general.

Without realising it, many Christians carry this kind of thinking into their deliberations on suffering, healing, and prayer. It is only too easy for us to "be conformed to this world" in the way we think about these things. Instead, the Lord calls on us to "be transformed through the renewing of (our) mind."2 If we accept the proposition that all pain is bad, we must assume that anyone responsible for causing pain is bad. Many Christians have tried to resolve their problem by postulating that God 'allows' suffering but does not send it. The alternative would seem to indicate that God is bad. So far, however, the argument takes no account of the clear biblical evidence.

Again and again, Christian prayer meetings roll out a list of requests for physical healing and reduction of pain, without any reference to deeper, connected issues. The general view seems to be that the best possible outcome would be the Lord's restoration of the sufferer's physical health. When God does not answer as expected, there is often confusion, disillusionment, frustration, and even bitterness. We may be told that the victims or those who prayed "didn't have enough faith." Others declare that "there must have been some terrible sin" in the individual's life that either thwarted God's blessing, or invited His punishment. This latter view has always been prevalent among pagans and naturally suggests itself to those who do not understand the God of the Bible. The ancient Jews were prone to make similar asumptions. During our Lord's ministry even His disciples, following the popular Jewish line, asked concerning the congenitally blind man: "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?"3

OUR VIEW OF GOD

Our expectations of what God will do are largely governed by our understanding of the kind of person He is. He has given us His Word the Bible to inform our thinking on such an important issue. In these days when human reason is given pride of place, we must remember that a true knowledge of God comes only through humble acceptance of His self-revelation. His purpose in affliction cannot be understood by rationalising, or by synthesising religious theories. God has spoken to us uniquely in the person of Jesus and in the written Word. What we need to know comes by revelation, not speculation. That point must not be missed. Many of the questions to which we would like to have answers are not addressed by the Scriptures. However, our loving Father has told us all that we need to know to live our lives for Him in the present and to enter into our future glory. Under the searchlight of the Word of God our false presuppositions and faulty perceptions are exposed for what they are. The same word gives us a world-and-life view that is Christ-centred rather than man-centred.

The many injunctions to grow in knowledge and understanding serve to warn us that we know relatively little and need to keep studying the Bible in order to gain deeper insights. 4 However, at the end of the day we have to admit that we understand just a little of the character, purposes, and ways of God.
e.g.

Job 11:7 "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?"

Job 26:14 "Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; And how faint a word we hear of Him ! But His mighty thunder, who can understand ?"

Isa.55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

1 Cor.2:9 "But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him,'
10 God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God."

Eph.3:20 "Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think . . . "

Rom.11:33 "O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!"

In a time of affliction, it is easy for the Christian to listen to the advice of friends, read paperbacks, and speculate. However, the one thing that is necessary is to listen to the Lord speaking through His Word.

GOD'S UNCHALLENGEABLE POSITION

Since God is all-wise, all-knowing, and morally perfect,5 no one can argue with His decisions. The only proper response when there is human uncertainty about divine activity is to ask with Abraham: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right ?"6 In the original Hebrew, the construction of the question already assumes an affirmative answer. It is inconceivable that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ would do anything that was not right. The righteousness of God is not merely an aspect of His character, but a determinative factor in His actions.

To put it simply, the Lord knows better than anyone else what is "good" in the ultimate sense, and He does good.7

GOD'S FATHERLY CARE

Essential to the Christian's understanding of God is the idea of fatherhood. None of the world's great religions encourage people to address their prayer as "Our Father." The fatherhood of God is a consistent theme in Scripture. Even though we were hostile towards Him 8 , by grace we have been adopted as His sons9 and incorporated into His "household"10 . His love for His children is beyond dispute. The Father who cares for birds and vegetation cares "much more" for His children11 Even generous human fathers are "evil" compared with God12 . It follows then that we should not be anxious under His care, but trust Him in every circumstance.

GOD'S ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO DO AS HE PLEASES

It is difficult for those who have grown up in a climate of democracy to understand what the Bible says about God's authority. In a society where children often control family decisions and the rights of students are making the job of the teacher more taxing, the exercise of authority swings from one to another. Political leaders are scared to make decisions that might be unpopular. This has led to the strategy of 'leaking' proposed policies in order to gauge public reaction. If that reaction is too negative, the policies may be altered to accordingly. All this is a far cry from the kind of authority that God exercises.

In the Bible, the power and the authority of God are closely linked. His power to act is limitless and His authority is supreme. When He is described as "King", the concept is one of absolute monarchy. He is answerable to no one else. He has the right to do what He pleases with His creation. Jeremiah portrays Him as the Potter with complete power over the clay.13 Under the illustration of the landowner, Jesus expresses the question which the Father might ask of anyone at any time: "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? "14

A HIGHER PURPOSE IN SUFFERING

From the background already outlined, we come to the issue of affliction with a perspective different to what might otherwise be the case. Instead of using the Bible for 'proof-texting' to support our presuppositions, we are ready to "hear what God the Lord will speak."15

Most Christians would accept that there is a difference in the position of the believer as compared with the unbeliever in the matter of God's dealings with us. One would not expect that wilful sinners who are (on His definition) "enemies of God"16 would be treated in the same way as those who have repented and turned to Christ for forgiveness. Of course, it is true that Christians suffer too, but not without good reason. Several Bible passages explore this issue in some detail but for the moment let us take two examples. In a brief reference the apostle explains that his physical illness resulted in primary evangelism among the Galatians. Just how this occurred we are not told, but the fact is stated clearly: "you know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first."17

In John 11 we read of the illness of one of Jesus' dear friends. The chapter deserves the most careful study by any who would understand reasons for suffering. Here is a classic example of the many Scriptural indications of purpose in suffering which might otherwise pass unnoticed. Jesus says (v.4): "This illness..... is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it." We might ask ourselves whether this possibility occurs to many who regard all pain as bad and pray for nothing but physical healing.

HEAVEN SENT

Earlier it was noted that Christians commonly describe God as 'allowing' afflictions and illnesses. The assumption is that Satan 'sends' the affliction and God permits him to do so. However, in a greater number of cases, the Bible describes God as the initiator.

Satan afflicts both believers and unbelievers with disease and disability18 and is able to destroy the flesh.19 He is described as having the power of death.20

The Lord strikes the heathen with disease/disability.21 He is also directly responsible for their death.22

However, for our purpose, it is His dealings with His people that are particularly significant. God afflicts His people with disease and/or disability23 . He also afflicts His people with death.24 The Bible also says that He gives them into the hand of their enemies in judgement.25

Clearly, it is inaccurate to say that the Lord simply 'allows' illness, disability, and death, to come to His people. We have to be careful that in our attempts to uphold the goodness and righteousness of God we neither detract from His sovereignty, nor fail to take seriously all that the Scriptures say.

In Heb.12;3ff the particular affliction under consideration is persecution by those hostile to the Jesus and His followers. Nevertheless, the broad principles are applicable to other afflictions that beset God's people. The writer draws on Prov.3;11f to show that "discipline" is a necessary part of sonship. He had already made the point that Jesus Himself "learned obedience by the things that He suffered."26 When our imperfect earthly fathers disciplined us they deserved and received respect from their children. How much more should we accept the discipline of our perfect, heavenly Father ? What is in view is "our good", the sharing of His holiness, and "the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Even so, at the time, the discipline (affliction) "seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful."

Asceticism and Stoicism are not appropriate in the thinking of God's child. Our response to affliction should be conditioned by our understanding of the character of God whose love is infinite and wisdom is perfect. When we cannot discern the reason for a particular affliction, we need to trust in our Father and be at peace in ourselves.

PERSONAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE LORD'S WILL

It is significant that prominent, godly sufferers have drawn comfort from their understanding of God and put their trust in Him even though He was afflicting them.

Job:

This godly man was smitten by Satan.27 Nevertheless, he understood the sovereign role of God in his suffering28 : "....... the hand of God has struck me." In spite of the severity of his condition, he was prepared to trust God no matter what the outcome: "Though He will slay me, I will hope in Him."29 In the final outcome, God outstandingly vindicated this man of faith.

The Psalmist:

The nature of the affliction referred to in Psalm 119:65-76 is not clear. However, several important truths come through clearly.

(a) The Lord afflicted him (v.75).
(b) The sufferer upheld the righteousness and faithfulness of God in all that He did (vv.65,68,75).
(c) The psalmist recognised that, in the end, there was no conflict between the goodness of God and His affliction of His child (vv.65,68).
(d) Spiritual blessing had come to himself and others out of the affliction (vv.67,71,74).
(e) He confidently prayed for comfort to the One who had afflicted him.

The apostle Paul:

In 2Cor.12;5-10 he refers to a physical condition that caused him great concern and prompted him to pray repeatedly for its removal.

The false teachers in Corinth had boasted of their own credentials and questioned the apostle's. Paul responded: (vv.5-6) "on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me." Paul has made the point that, as an apostle, he had been given special insight into the plan and purpose of God. Now he explains that, far from making him a power figure, the Lord humbled him (v.7) so that he would not lose his servant attitude. There was a real risk that spiritual pride would be Paul's response to "the surpassing greatness of the revelations." Just then he experienced an affliction: "a thorn in the flesh." This was a physical problem and it was not self-inflicted. It "was given - a messenger (angel) of Satan." As in the case of Job, the agent was Satan, but the Giver was God. The purpose was clear. Twice Paul says that it was: "to keep me from exalting myself."

His reaction to the affliction was understandable. (v.8) "I entreated the Lord three times about this, that it might depart from me." Paul prayed for remedy by removal. Apparently, the Lord did not rebuke Paul for praying in this way. It is not wrong to pray for deliverance from physical affliction. However, of the three possible answers God might give to any prayer, His answer to Paul was the most difficult to accept. In effect, God said "No"(v.9). The answer to the apostle's prayer was not a spectacular miracle of healing, nor (apparently) a gradual recovery, but simply a word of promise. "My grace is sufficient (adequate) for you." i.e. "You need nothing more than my grace."

It is quite common for the Christian to expect to have a good car, a family that is supportive and understanding, and a caring boss. The needs list includes a nice brick home, an interesting and secure job, the company of nice people, and continuing good health. In an individual case, the Lord may provide some or all of those items. However, even if a believer had none of them, he/she could still live a full and satisfying life. We need nothing more than God's grace. Again and again we have seen this demonstrated in people's lives. Examples include: Noah, Abraham, Job, Jeremiah, Paul, John Wycliff, William Tyndale, Thomas Cranmer, John Bunyan, Adoniram and Ann Judson, John and Betty Stam, Richard Wurmbrand, Bill McChesney, Joni Earickson Tada, Natasha Zhdanova, and so on.

It is the Word of God that sheds light on the path that leads through affliction. "And he has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.'" "You" is in the singular. In other words, this is a personal promise to Paul. Paul needed great grace, and God promised to meet his need. The weakness was Paul's - the power was God's. When this man came to understand God's purposes for him, his response was one of acceptance and Christian contentment (v.10). More than that, the very affliction that had prompted his repeated prayer, had become a ground of boasting and rejoicing (v.9).

The entire episode serves to remind us that the Christian's joy and contentment are derived, not from one's circumstances or physical condition, but from one's relationship with Christ. Therefore, when our circumstances and/or condition change, we may rediscover this great reality in a new way. One of the great benefits of affliction is to remind us that we are "complete in Him".30

THE UNHEALED

We have already seen that some of the assumptions about affliction that are widespread in our time fail to take account of the character, purposes, and ways of God. It is commonly argued that "if God is good why doesn't He alleviate all suffering ?" "If God has the power to heal, why doesn't He do so ?" Often the next step is to conclude that such healing does not occur either because God lacks the power, or because there is some barrier that prevents Him from acting. Such questioning comes easily to the unbeliever and may arise from arrogance or genuine desire to know the answers. In the case of believers, the questions may not represent defiance but doubt and even despair. Those who in better times are unquestioning in their acceptance of the Lord's dealings, in times of physical weakness and heavy affliction, may waver in their faith.

It is always true that the purposes and priorities of God are different to ours in many respects. Only as we grow in understanding and deep insight can we begin to appreciate the way He works in our lives and accept suffering as having positive value. In any generation, faithful Christians are not immune to the ravages of disease. Trophimus31 and Epaphroditus32 are but early examples of the countless gospel witnesses, pastors, and missionaries, who have suffered since. Timothy suffered frequent bouts of ill health33 and Paul's condition was ongoing. Physical health is not necessary for godliness or usefulness in His service, but His all-sufficient grace is indispensable.

"LORD, TEACH US HOW TO PRAY"

It is fully appropriate to pray that the Lord will give relief to those who suffer affliction. However, in the case of unbelievers, our plea for their salvation should be the priority. As Christians, we might pray for others and ourselves as the aged John prayed for the good health of Gaius (3Jn.1:1). In the event that good health does not eventuate, we need to trust the Lord as having all wisdom, dealing with us in love, and doing nothing without good reason. We will do well to listen to the prayer of God's suffering Son and pray for God's will to be done and His name to be glorified, whatever that may mean for us.

After all, the Christian knows that it was our Lord's willing acceptance of the Father's affliction of Him that resulted in our spiritual healing. The Bible says specifically that He was "struck by God and afflicted" (Isa.53;4). We deserve such affliction: He did not. In a way the world could never understand, He glorified the Father through His acceptance of ignominious death on the cross (Jn.12;27-28). Now as a result, we eagerly await the redemption of our bodies, the end of all suffering, and the fulfilment of our salvation where the Lord "will wipe away every tear from (our) eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more."

Neil Prott 1996

Appendix 1 - Affliction Words

NASB Nelson Concordance

Reference  Transliteration    Primary Mng.
 
Hebrew



 
 
 
 
"afflict"

1121 'ben' son, afflicted
1766 'dachaq' thrust, crowd, oppress
2470a 'chalah' to be weak or sick
3013 'yagah' to suffer
3905 'yahalom' jasper or onyx
5921 'al' upon, above, over
6030b 'anah' to be occupied, busy
6031a 'anah' to be bowed down or afflicted
6035 'anav' poor, afflicted, humble, meek
6040a 'oni' affliction, poverty
6041 'ani' poor, afflicted, humble
6862b 'tsar' straights, distress
6887a 'tsarar' to bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow,
scant, or cramped
6887c 'tsarar' to show hostility toward, vex
7489a 'raa' to be evil, bad
7492 'rats' to shatter
8197c 'sippach' to cause a scab upon, afflict with scabs

"affliction" 



 
 
 
2483    'choli'         sickness



 
 
 
5061    'nega'          a stroke, plague, mark



 
 
 
6039    'enuth'         affliction



 
 
 
6040a   'oni'           affliction, poverty



 
 
 
7463a   'raah'          evil, misery, distress, injury
 
 
Greek
 
"afflict"



 
 
 
2346    'thlibõ'         to press, afflict



 
 
 
2722    'katechõ'        to hold fast, hold back



 
 
 
3791    'ochleõ'         to disturb, trouble



 
 
 
4192    'ponos'          (from 'penomai' to toil, labour)



 
 
 
 
 
"affliction" 



 
 
 
2346    'thlibõ'         to press, afflict



 
 
 
2347    'thlipsis'       tribulation



 
 
 
3148    'mastix'         a whip, scourge
 
 
 

Appendix 2

"Affliction, as the fruit and chastening of sin, is 'bad.' Therefore 'all the days of the afflicted are bad' (Gen.47;9 Ps.90;7-9). Yet solid inward satisfaction will bring real comfort in most difficult circumstances. Therefore, though the abounding consolation of Christian affliction does not blot out his penal character; yet the child of God is not so miserable as he seems to be (2Cor.6;10). The darkest of these evil days can never make 'the consolations of God too small for you' (Job 15;11). He can sing in the prison as in a palace (Ac.16;25). He can accept 'joyfully the seizure of . . property' (Job 1;21). He can rejoice in Him as his portion in poverty (Hab.3;17-18).

'Who is it,' said the heavenly Martyn in a moment of faintness, 'who makes my comforts to be a source of enjoyment ? Cannot the same hand make cold, and hunger, and nakedness, and peril, to be a procession of ministering angels conducting me to glory ?' ('Life of Henry Martyn' - missionary to India - ch.2)

What 'bad' then can affliction bring ? Or rather, what does it bring but many feast days (Eccl.9;7) ? A few days' feasting would soon weary even the greatest food lovers. But here 'the cheerful heart has a continual feast.' His temporal mercies are filled with cheerfulness. And 'all his trouble is but the rattling hail upon the tiles of his house,' not disturbing his enjoyment, said Leighton (comment on 1 Pet.1;2-3 3;17). Having this heavenly portion, shall I not thank my God, that he has drawn me away from present satisfactions ? 'Do not let me eat of their delicacies . . . You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound' (Ps.141;4 4;6-7)."

 

A selection of RSV references which need to be understood in the light of everything else that the Bible teaches on the Lord's discipline of those whom He loves.

 
Ps.89:30 If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my ordinances,



 
 
 
31 if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments,



 
 
 
32 then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with scourges;



 
 
 
33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love, or be false to my faithfulness.



 
 
 
34 I will not violate my covenant, or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
 
Jer.5:7 "How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me, and have sworn by those 



 
 
 
who are no gods. When I fed them to the full, they committed 



 
 
 
adultery and trooped to the houses of harlots.



 
 
 
8 They were well-fed lusty stallions, each neighing for his neighbour's wife.



 
 
 
9 Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD; and shall 



 
 
 
I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?10 "Go up through her 



 
 
 
vine-rows and destroy, but make not a full end; strip 



 
 
 
away her branches, for they are not the lord's.



 
 
 
11 For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have been utterly 



 
 
 
faithless to me, says the LORD.



 
 
 
12 They have spoken falsely of the LORD, and have said, 'He will do nothing; 



 
 
 
no evil will come upon us, nor shall we see sword or famine.



 
 
 
13 The prophets will become wind; the word is not in them. 



 
 
 
Thus shall it be done to them!'"



 
 
 
14 Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of hosts: "Because they have spoken 



 
 
 
this word, behold, I am making my words in your mouth a fire, 



 
 
 
and this people wood, and the fire shall devour them.



 
 
 
15 Behold, I am bringing upon you a nation from afar, O house of Israel, 



 
 
 
says the LORD. It is an enduring nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation 



 
 
 
whose language you do not know, nor can you understand what they say.



 
 
 
16 Their quiver is like an open tomb, they are all mighty men.



 
 
 
17 They shall eat up your harvest and your food; they shall eat up your 



 
 
 
sons and your daughters; they shall eat up your flocks and your herds; 



 
 
 
they shall eat up your vines and your fig trees; your fortified cities in which 



 
 
 
you trust they shall destroy with the sword."



 
 
 
18 "But even in those days, says the LORD, I will not make a full end of you.



 
 
 
19 And when your people say, 'Why has the LORD our God done all these 



 
 
 
things to us?' you shall say to them, 'As you have forsaken me and served 



 
 
 
foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve strangers in a land that is not yours.'"



 
 
 




 
 
 
 
Jer.5:29 Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD, 



 
 
 
and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?"Jer.6:13 "For from the least to the greatest of them, every one is greedy 
for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, every one deals falsely.
14 They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, '
Peace, peace,' when there is no peace.
15 Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were 
not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall 
among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, 
they shall be overthrown," says the LORD.
Jer.8:12 Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all 
ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall 
fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the LORD.
Jer.9:5 Every one deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have 
taught their tongue to speak lies; they commit iniquity and are too weary to repent.
6 Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, 
they refuse to know me, says the LORD.
7 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: "Behold, I will refine them and test them, 
for what else can I do, because of my people?
8 Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully; with his mouth each speaks 
peaceably to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.
9 Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD; and shall I not avenge 
myself on a nation such as this?
Jer.9:25 "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will punish all 
those who are circumcised but yet uncircumcised--
26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert 
that cut the corners of their hair; for all these nations are uncircumcised, 
and all the house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart."
Jer.14:7 "Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O LORD, for thy name's 
sake; for our backslidings are many, we have sinned against thee.
8 O thou hope of Israel, its saviour in time of trouble, why shouldst thou be like a 
stranger in the land, like a wayfarer who turns aside to tarry for a night?
9 Why shouldst thou be like a man confused, like a mighty man who cannot save? 
Yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not."
10 Thus says the LORD concerning this people: "They have loved to wander thus, 
they have not restrained their feet; therefore the LORD does not accept them, 
now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins."
11 The LORD said to me: "Do not pray for the welfare of this people.
12 Though they fast, I will not hear their cry, and though they offer burnt offering 
and cereal offering, I will not accept them; but I will consume them by the sword, by famine, 
and by pestilence."
 
Jer.21:4 "Thus you shall say to Zedekiah, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 
Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war which are in your hands and 
with which you are fighting against the king of Babylon and against the 
Chaldeans who are besieging you outside the walls; and I will bring them together 
into the midst of this city.
5 I myself will fight against you with outstretched hand and strong arm, 
in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath.
6 And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast; 
they shall die of a great pestilence.
7 Afterward, says the LORD, I will give Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, 
and the people in this city who survive the pestilence, sword, and famine, 
into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of their enemies, 
into the hand of those who seek their lives. He shall smite them with the edge of the sword; 
he shall not pity them, or spare them, or have compassion.'
8 "And to this people you shall say: 'Thus says the LORD: Behold, I set before 
you the way of life and the way of death.
9 He who stays in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; 
but he who goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you shall live 
and shall have his life as a prize of war.
10 For I have set my face against this city for evil and not for good, 
says the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, 
and he shall burn it with fire.'
11 "And to the house of the king of Judah say, 'Hear the word of the LORD,
12 O house of David! Thus says the LORD: "'Execute justice in the morning, 
and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed, 
lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, 
because of your evil doings.'"
13 "Behold, I am against you, O inhabitant of the valley, O rock of the plain, 
says the LORD; you who say, 
'Who shall come down against us, or who shall enter our habitations?'
14 I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, says the LORD; 
I will kindle a fire in her forest, and it shall devour all that is round about her."
Jer.23:11 "Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found 
their wickedness, says the LORD.
12 Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, 
into which they shall be driven and fall; for I will bring evil upon them in 
the year of their punishment, says the LORD.
Jer.23:34 And as for the prophet, priest, or one of the people who says, 
'The burden of the LORD,' I will punish that man and his household.
Jer.30:14 All your lovers have forgotten you; they care nothing for you; 
for I have dealt you the blow of an enemy, the punishment of a merciless foe, 
because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant.
Jer.36:30 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah, 
He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out 
to the heat by day and the frost by night.
31 And I will punish him and his offspring and his servants for their iniquity; 
I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, 
all the evil that I have pronounced against them, but they would not hear.'"
2Cor.2:4 For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, 
not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.
5 But if any one has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure
--not to put it too severely--to you all.
6 For such a one this punishment by the majority is enough;
2Cor.6:9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; 
as punished, and yet not killed;
2Cor.7:11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, 
what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves guiltless in the matter.
2Cor.10:5 We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge 
of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Heb.10:29 How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved 
by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned 
the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay."
And again, "The Lord will judge his people."31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Heb.12:5 And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? -- "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor lose courage when you are punished by him."

Neil Prott

 

Neil Prott was Rector of the parish of Kurrajong in Sydney until Easter 1998 and is now in active retirement encouraging ministers of the gospel.

 (Article Copyright Neil Prott 1996.)

Related page: Bishop J.C. Ryle on Sickness

Anglican Church League, www.acl.asn.au