Karma. Just desserts. Payback. Call it what you like, it's not of God. Some people think of God as some great equalizer, looking to even everything out, render to everyone that which they deserve. That is such a diminution of His character. Though He is perfect in justice and holiness, though the law He gave mankind demanded eye for eye and tooth for tooth, life for life, God's system of equity is nothing like humanity's. He is just, He is merciful, He is kindhearted, and He is Lord.
The book of Judges reads like a shampoo bottle. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Israel falls away in their obedience to God. God sends outsiders to torment Israel. Israel begs for mercy. God sends a rescuer. Israel follows God again. Until they don't, and the whole process repeats itself. Does any of that sound familiar? In Judges 10, the people have once again abandoned God. Yet, this time, God seems to handle things a bit differently. Rather than respond with rescue to their pitiful cries, God replies, Did I not deliver you from [those who] oppressed you; and you cried out to Me, and I delivered you from their hand. Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. Therefore I will deliver you no more. 'Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in your time of distress.' (v. 11-14) Ask the gods to which you've been so faithful to return to help you. Ouch! I mean, it's not like they didn't deserve that response. It's not like I don't deserve that response when I fail in my efforts to control things or when the things in which I seek comfort fail me. But God is merciful. This time, He allows the Israelites to sit in their situation for a bit. They finally repent of their sin, put away the idols of their familiar gods and begin serving the Lord. And God steps in. Even as fallible human parents are moved by the misery of their children, our perfect Heavenly Father is moved by the plight of His children. Mercy. But God is no pushover.
In Judges 11 and 12, Jephthah, son of a prostitute, is a strong warrior, but an outcast. That is, until the people of Israel were once again tormented by another nation. Come and be our commander, that we may fight against the people of Ammon, the elders in Israel pleaded. Jephthah replied, Did you not hate me, and expel me from my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in distress? (11:4-7) That was probably a mic drop moment. So, Jephthah was able to negotiate a position as judge of Israel if he agreed to lead them into victory. The terrible treatment Jephthah suffered at the hands of his brothers cost them something. And later, when the men of Ephraim took issue with Jephthah excluding them from the prestige and spoils of war, Jephthah asked them where they were when he asked for their help: My people and I were in a great struggle with the people of Ammon; and when I called you, you did not deliver me out of their hands. Jephthah was no pushover either.
Unlike Jephthah, however, God strives with His children again and again, providing His elect with countless opportunities to submit to His authority. Yes, He disciplines us, but what parent doesn't discipline the child they love? Yes, He demands things of us, but don't all relationships require the participation of both parties? And, yes, He is perfect in holiness and justice, but never to the exclusion of His loving kindness. Jesus, Son of the Father, took our place, paid our debt, fulfilled the wrath of our holy, just God. He doesn't negotiate for a place of authority in our lives; He has claim to it and implores us all to surrender it. He doesn't need our service or sacrifice; He gives us the privilege of laying down before Him all we are given. And He shows us His mercy --it's all mercy! Because He is Lord. He is not threatened by our reaction to His kindness, whether we are dropped to our knees or our fists are clenched against Him. He is not that small. But He is just. Just and merciful. Kindhearted and Lord.
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