Deut 25:1-3 (NIV) When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty.
If the guilty person deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make them lie down and have them flogged in his presence with the number of lashes the crime deserves.
But the judge must not impose more than forty lashes. If the guilty party is flogged more than that, your fellow Israelite will be degraded in your eyes.
Insight and Highlight
2 Cor 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Scripture Commentaries
Any overbearing or unwanted punishment is not God's plan for mankind. Anything more is harsh on the offender. Any punishment less is not deserved by the accused, he is deemed innocent.
God said in Deut 25: 2-3 "....if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.
Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed:..."
If you exceed prescribed punishment, God says you are deemed wicked to the offender, ref Deut 25:3.
While over forty lashes are over punishment, it is also presumed it may lead to the death of the offender thereby making him delinquent.
God does not want anyone to suffer more than he can bear or deserve.
Even when tempted, the Apostle Paul says in 1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Paul received forty stripes less one, 2 Cor 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
His punishment may be construed as unjustifiable judging by Deut 25:1-3 and it was indeed unjustifiable because he did nothing wrong. It was out of hatred for the faith he preached.
Though Paul expected persecution: (people's injustice to the gospel, Acts 9: 16), God's judgment is on persecutors for their unjustness and injustices, Jer 20:11.
You will not be a victim of injustice, in Jesus name.
Remorse corner
Every judge, advocate, a mediator in any matter must remember Ps 119:106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
Call to Word action
Psalm 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
The Christian clarion duty
Psalm 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Prayer
Jer 17:18 Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction in Jesus name.
Good morning all and be blessed as you come into His presence today.
God bless you.
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