15/02/2022 - THE LORD’S SERVANTS PRACTICE JUSTICE

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Then Adoni-Bezek fled, and they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and big toes.  Judges 1:6

The key point of Israel’s turnaround in finishing the conquest of the Promised Land occurred after Joshua´s death, who commanded the Israelites for 25 years. The holy people asked the Lord who should restart the battles to take possession of what He had already granted them, and God said: Judah. Now, the Israelites knew that it would be possible to occupy the rest of the territory, for as Joshua had been told, there was still a great deal of land to be possessed (Joshua 13:1). Judah set the greatest example!

Judah found in the region of the Canaanites, a king whose expression was exactly like Satan’s: wicked in ass aspects. His name was Adoni-Bezek. He terrified everyone, except the Most High´s servants. His fame made the monarchs tremble when they saw him. This was because, when he defeated his enemies, he cut off the thumbs of their hands and feet. The purpose of this mutilation was to spread his cruelty, so that the others would seek him out to make a deal.

Adoni-Bezek must have been the successor of the king who was killed by Joshua in the battle to defend Gibeon. God Himself took part in it by throwing stones from Heaven, which annihilated the armies of the five Amorite kings (Joshua 10:11). They besieged the people to whom Joshua gave the word that he would protect (Joshua 9:1-15). Like the previous one, this king of Bezek was a good strategist, but he too was defeated and then, fled. However, he was caught up and vindicated by the Israelites. Hallelujah!

The Canaanites relied on Adoni-Bezek, and Judah on the Almighty, who is the best in the art of warfare. Soon, the Lord’s chosen ones would win each and every battle and would arrest the one who was the world´s greatest infamy. To defeat an envoy from hell, we must call upon the eternal God. He is faithful!

The sentence of the “lord of lightning” was the same as that given to his enemy kings – an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, as written in the Law of Moses (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21). This Law is also known as Talion – its penalty was the reciprocity of the crime, only it was enforced by the State. It is of no value to us today, for Jesus taught us to be different (Matthew 5:38-48). We must practice divine justice, which only promotes good!

The Amorite-approved “beast of Jerusalem” tasted the “poison” it offered its captive kings. Adoni-Bezek experienced how much it hurt to lose his fingers. He must have understood that there will always be those who will reward the evil received. All of this shows what will happen to the impenitent, those who refuse divine forgiveness and think they have the right to oppress their neighbor. 

Seek to live the way the Bible teaches, walking everywhere, practicing kindness, as our Savior did: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). Serve God, be good, and wait for Jesus’ return!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares