THE LORD SPOKE (January 04)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Genesis 9-11

One of the basic rules of hermeneutics (Bible interpretation) is known as “the law of first mention”. It goes something like this: the first mention of something in the Scriptures is especially significant and sets the stage for how it is to be understood in the rest of the Word of God.

The law is applicable here in Genesis 9 for the subject of capital punishment. This is the first mention of that subject and provides us with a significant “defining moment”:

And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man. (Gen. 9:5-6)

The institution of human government is packed into that brief phrase “by man shall his blood be shed” and capital punishment is a fundamental element thereof. The ultimate penalty is that basis for every lesser punishment. The justification given for capital punishment is that man has been made “in the image of God”.

In murdering another human being, the man who does so not only does violence to that individual but also demonstrates his utter contempt for God. It constitutes a failure to recognize the Creator’s sovereignty. The purpose of capital punishment is not the reformation of the criminal. Other potential murderers may be turned from their evil intent but for this criminal there is no further opportunity for reform. Neither is the purpose of capital punishment the protection of society. The damage has already been done. Although the retardation of violent crime may be a side benefit, it is not the purpose of capital punishment.

The purpose is to vindicate God’s sovereignty! Capital punishment is just that. It is punishment. The crime has been committed and justice is demanded. The nature of the crime is such that no repair or restitution can be made, so the punishment is equally final. It’s not an issue of the sanctity of a human life. It involves the sanctity of a holy God.

New Testament: Matthew 4

Three times the Devil tempted Jesus in the desert and in all three cases he started with an “if”. But he framed the sentences differently. The first two times the Greek syntax should be understood as “If, as is the case, you are the Son of God....” The final phrase of the previous chapter (3:17) had just established, in God’s own words, that Jesus was His son. The Devil knew it well and knew better than to question that fact. So he framed his temptation in such a way as to get Jesus to misappropriate His authority as the Son of God.

But the third temptation does not follow the “if, as is the case” structure. A different word is used for “if” and it carries more of the sense of “if only you would”. Satan is saying, “If, just for a moment, you would bow down before me....”

All three temptations were very real to the Lord. In one sense, the very destiny of the cosmos hung in the balance. Had He taken the bait, all subsequent history would have been different. He was “subject to weakness” and was truly tempted in all points” (Heb. 5:2 & 4:15).

Three times over, Jesus was strengthened by God’s Word and faced the Devil with Scripture. He resisted and the Devil slunk away. He made himself scarce. He skedaddled. If we will face him in the power of the Lord, he’ll do the same (Jas. 4:7; I Pet. 5:6-9). Hiding God’s Word in your heart is the secret!

It was the beginning of great things. First, the angels came and ministered to Him (wouldn’t you love to have been one of them?!) And He began to preach. Oh, how He preached. The power of His preaching changed the entire course of history. When He began preaching in Matthew 4, fishermen left their nets and tax collectors left their account books. Large crowds began to follow Him (Mat. 4:25) and the common people heard Him gladly (Mk. 12:37). In fact, you are reading this today because of His preaching.