January 30 – LD 5, Day 2: Is there Escape from Punishment?
by Rev J. Kortering
Deuteronomy 27:26,
“Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of
this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.”
We now move from temporal
and eternal punishment to the possibility of escape.
We must understand the
question. Escape is mentioned here, not to belittle the consequence of sin. The
word is used that way sometimes, e.g. a man escapes from jail. Not here, rather
the idea of “escape” here is the jailor taking the key and unlocks the door.
This is important because the question of escape from punishment is before GOD!
He has the right to punish the guilty sinner, so if there is any escape from
that punishment, it is God Who must not only sanction it ,but
also provide it.
We can look at this
question from two points of view.
From the human point of
view, it is most discouraging. May God place the words of the above quoted text
upon our hearts. CURSED is he that confirmeth
not all the words of this law to do them. Once more, the word “curse” rings
with the horror of punishment. The curse is before God, it is His holy response
to our guilt for sin. Not only that, the text also includes our response, “And
all the people shall say, Amen.” We not only hear God say to us “guilty” and
that implies worthy of punishment, but it also means that we agree with that
pronouncement of God. Such language carries with it the horrors of God’s wrath
all our life and for all eternity.
From God’s point of view,
the question holds forth hope. The question raised by the catechism helps us
hold onto something which may lead to deliverance. “Is there no way of escape
from that punishment and be received into favor?” The answer assures us there
is a way of escape. True, it is on God’s terms and not ours. Nevertheless, the
door begins to open a little bit and the light of God’s favor begins to shine
forth and we begin to see the darkness of wrath dispelled by the light of the
gospel. It is in the way of the satisfaction of that justice of God.
It follows from this
answer that escape is impossible with man.
The hope for salvation
must focus on God and God alone.
Does this
question put hope in your heart?