Proverbs 20:30 AMPC
Blows that wound cleanse away evil, and strokes [for correction] reach to the innermost parts.
We live in a day where capital and corporal punishments are frowned upon and mostly outlawed in the western world.
Anders Brevik, who slaughtered countless young people on the island of Utoya in Norway, was given a custodial sentence of 21 years and now is kept in his own cell containing a mini gym and computer!
Does the punishment fit the appalling crime? Has he suffered anything but the denial of physical freedom?
Has he ever showed any kind of remorse or regret?
No, he is still arrogantly proud of his actions.
Compare this with the Proverb in God's Word which prescribes some form of physical correction to "cleanse away" evil!
In my own school days boys had the cane or the slipper for their misdemeanors and girls had the ruler smacked across their knuckles.
Individual teachers might hurl the blackboard rubber across the classroom at some naughty kid or hit another across the head with an atlas!
It was all intended to bring about better behaviour in undisciplined children.
Nowadays it would be considered as abuse.
Indeed, we've just witnessed a policeman being suspended for kicking someone in the head in order to restrain a violent person at Manchester airport. However, without that radical action, what further damage would have happened? Would another innocent bystander have been injured?
These are challenging issues.
Of course the Ultimate Cleansing Blows fell upon Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God:
Isaiah 53:5 AMPC
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.
The paradox of our salvation is that the Innocent One paid in full for our sins and it is only by claiming His death penalty personally that we are cleansed and made whole.
Bless the Lord Jesus forever and ever for taking my blows on Himself.
Selah.
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