The Mosaic Law – “Reward And Punishment” Theology? Or Something More?

When Christians suffer for their faith, it is natural for them to ask, “Why?” They may conclude God is in some way disciplining them for unconfessed sin. In addition to the burden of suffering, they may struggle under the burden of guilt.

The guilt faced by suffering Christians often comes from “reward and punishment” theology – a view of God as less a loving Father and more a harsh taskmaster. If one reads only certain portions of the Bible – especially the Old Testament’s Mosaic law – it is easy adopt this view.  Writer Doug Penner summarizes these Old Testament books:

God began [the book of Deuteronomy] by issuing a series of blessings (verses 1–14) and then a series of cursings (verses 15–68). The blessings are heavily outnumbered by the cursings and each is conditioned by Israel’s obedience (verses 1,15). If they obey, they can expect blessing in every area of their life. If they disobey, they can expect troubles in every area of their life. This is, in a capsule, the basic Deuteronomic theology.

The Mosaic law illustrates and emphasizes the importance of obedience,  and the consequences of disobedience, to God’s commandments. Deuteronomy 28 promises blessings for obedience such as fertility, prosperity, and victory over enemies. It also warns of punishments for disobedience, including disease, famine, defeat in battle, and exile. Further, as Penner notes, “[t]he teaching ‘whatever a man sows, that he will also reap’ (Galatians 6:7) is a general principle that will be true in the long run.”

But a narrow focus on God’s promised “rewards” and “punishments” can create a misunderstanding of God’s character. It also misses the point of God’s entire revelation. As Penner notes:

A close reading of Deuteronomy itself reveals the folly of interpreting the blessings and cursings in terms of moral behavior alone. In 8:2,3, Moses reminds Israel that God humbled them in the wilderness not because of any specific sin but in order to teach and test them. In 8:18, God is said to give Israel the power to attain wealth. Hence, their wealth is a gift from Him, not strictly earned through their obedience and lost through their disobedience. In 9:4–6, God declares that He is not giving the blessing of the land to Israel because of their righteousness. Indeed, the fact that they are being given the land is seen as an expression of grace, as they are a stubborn people (9:6) and because of the promise that He made with “your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob” (9:5). The only reason they were spared God’s wrath at all was because of Moses’ intervention on their behalf (9:25–29).

In other words, some blessings and curses are a consequence of man’s response to God, while others are a result of God’s plans for man. Penner puts it this way:

[T]o the question of whether all good things and all bad things are the result of God’s response to man’s actions, five conclusions may be drawn:

1. 1. 1. 1. Every good gift comes from God.
         2. Many blessings and curses are a result of man’s response to God.
         3. Some blessings and curses are a result of God’s plans for man.
         4. Blessings can become curses if we fail to glorify God.
         5. The teaching “whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7) is a general principle that will be true in the long run, but there will be times when it seems to be fallacy (especially in the short term).

See also

Providence

Psalm 35: The God of Strength, Hope, and Confidence

August 28, 2023·0

It is important to remember that while obedience does bring blessings (and disobedience brings curses), God’s purposes and plans for our lives include so much more than mere “rewards” and “punishments.” In the context of persecution these purposes and plans include:

• • • • The powerful gospel proclamation resulting from believers’ faithful suffering for Jesus (as illustrated in Acts).
      • The personal and corporate purity Jesus desires for His church (as illustrated in Revelation 2 and 3).
      • The perseverance of believers for promised rewards (as illustrated in Hebrews).
      • The partnership of God with His people – and of Christians with one another – amidst suffering (as illustrated in Hebrews, James, and 1 Peter).
      • The providence of God in providing for His people while they suffer for His sake (as illustrated in Acts and in many of the Pauline epistles).

In suffering for Jesus’ sake, let us remember we do not serve a harsh taskmaster.  Instead, let us remember we serve a loving Heavenly Father – and that Jesus is our sympathetic High Priest (Heb. 4:14). Let us seek His help for strength to obey God’s Word.