(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better…and if you listen AND follow along below, you’ll see why)
Focus Question:
What is the “retribution principle?”
Intro:
And just like that we’re to Revelation, the last book in the New Testament and our last book to read together to check off that we went through the NT in about 10 1/2 months. We’ll keep chugging through the OT, too, obviously, but that’s on a track to be through it in about 14 months. We’ve made some adjustments along the way, but I’m happy to report that I’ve figured out how to keep parse the reading to keep us to the 22 minute mark for the six days a week we read (at least the vast majority of the time.
Today’s focus question is, “What is the retribution principle?” It’s a concept that was common to the Ancient Near East that basically means “an eye for an eye” or paying someone back according to what they deserve. As we read through our OT Segment in Ezekiel, listen for the topic of fairness. And as you might imagine, there’s another little twist to the topic that I’ll add in today’s Bottom Line segment — the twist that is unique to Christianity.
New Testament segment:
The book of Revelation, of course, is a head scratcher for many. The good news is that there are a lot of people who are smarter than me who’ve written about it; the bad news is that we only have so much time given our first commitment is to reading the Bible through in a year, approximately speaking. But as we begin, let me encourage you with two thoughts. The revelation of Jesus is for everyone — the very title of the book comes from the opening verses that open stating that it’s to all Jesus’ servants, and it’s to bless you. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, that’s you. And as I sometimes say, even if we don’t understand everything, it’s an act of worship to sit at Jesus feet (so to speak) and just listen.
Passage: Revelation 1
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 20
Words: ~456
Before we transition to our OT segment, let me point out one thing. Here’s another person in yet another place in the Bible who, when confronted by the awesomeness of God, fell to the ground (‘like a dead man’). Like Ezekiel. Like Isaiah. I think it’s useful to ask ourselves if we are confronted by God’s presence in that way. Sometimes it’s too easy, I think, to treat Jesus like a hunky-dory buddy.
Old Testament segment:
As I mentioned at the top of the show, in Ezekiel today you’ll hear talk of fairness. Listen for God’s heart in here, because it’s clearly on display. And again, stick around for the Bottom Line segment.
Passage: Ezekiel 17-18
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 56
Words: ~1636
What were we just talking about a couple days ago? Repentance, meaning to turn. God wants for us to turn, or return, and live.
Wisdom segment:
Passage: Psalm 93
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 5
Words: ~82
Passage: Proverbs 20:1-
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: x
Words: ~xxx
The bottom line:
You don’t need to remember the words ‘retribution principle,’ but I want you to remember the idea — something like “an eye for an eye.” And in a way, this represents something deep in our hearts that wants, justice.
Or do we? Do we really want what we deserve?
Let me share with you a few one-liner definitions that set up an important distinction that is particular and unique to Christianity.
Justice is giving people what they deserve.
Injustice is denying people some good that they deserve.
Grace is giving people better than what they deserve.(1)
What is the retribution principle? Justice. An eye for an eye. But in a way I’ll probably never fully understand, a perfectly good and just God has us experience time and history in a way that shows us that we all fail to live up to perfect justice and provides a means of grace — a Savior who, if we put our trust in Him, grants us something we don’t deserve…grace.
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) xcvv