“If there is famine in the land, or blight, windstorm, mildew, locusts or shearer-worms; or if their enemy comes to the land and besieges them in any of their cities — no matter what kind of plague or sickness it is; then, regardless of what prayer or plea anyone among all your people Israel makes — for each individual will know what is plaguing his own conscience — and the person spreads out his hands toward this house; hear in heaven where you live, and forgive, and act, and, since you know what is in each one’s heart, give each person what his conduct deserves (because you, and only you, know all human hearts)…” – 1 Kings 8:37-39
Verse 37 brings us to Solomon’s 4th petition in his dedication prayer.
These deal with all manner of plagues the Lord will strike Israel with for her rebellion.
The Hebrew word for plague, NEGA, is properly translated as “plague” in this verse.
Again, this word directly connects to the plagues God struck Egypt with during the Exodus.
The point is if Israel is gonna act like Egypt…
Then they’re gonna be judged like Egypt.
Here’s the Torah reference connected to this petition.
“‘Yes, if you go against me and don’t listen to me, I will increase your calamities sevenfold, according to your sins. I will send wild animals among you; they will rob you of your children, destroy your livestock and reduce your numbers, until your roads are deserted. “‘If, despite all this, you refuse my correction and still go against me; then I too will go against you; and I, yes I, will strike you seven times over for your sins. I will bring a sword against you which will execute the vengeance of the covenant. You will be huddled inside your cities; I will send sickness among you, and you will be handed over to the power of the enemy. I will cut off your supply of bread, so that ten women will bake your bread in one oven and dole out your bread by weight, and you will eat but not be satisfied.” – Leviticus 26:21-26
So what takeaway can we extract from this?
Here’s what’s coming to me.
The Lord is consistent in how he deals with His human creation, whether they be Jew or Gentile.
Because at the end of the day, we are all children of the one true God who created all things.
As the Torah says…
“The same law applies both to
the native-born and to the
foreigner residing among you.”
-Exodus 12:49
So regardless of your ethnic background…
If you’re gonna behave like an unkosher wild hog…
The Lord is gonna punish you like the insane beast you’re making yourself out to be.
Ya feel me here?
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“I now realize how true it is that
God does not show favoritism
but accepts from every nation
the one who fears him
and does what is right.”
-Acts 10:34-35
“All who sin apart from the law
will also perish apart from the law,
and all who sin under the law
will be judged by the law.”
-Romans 2:12-13
“Since you call on a Father who
judges each person’s work impartially,
live out your time as foreigners
here in reverent fear.”
– 1 Peter 1:17
“For I tell you that out
of these stones God can
raise up children for Abraham.”
– Luke 3:8
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