Jeremiah 30-31, Philemon • Key Verse: Jeremiah 30:11
Breathes a child who has not at some time said, “It’s just not fair”? And that is only the
beginning of what he says. “How come I . . . is the follow-up question, drawing attention
to the perceived injustice. Actually, if “justice” were left up to children, it would probably
be closer to “all of grace” rather than “fitting the crime.”
There probably were times when the Israelites wanted to cry out,
“It's just not fair!” After all, they were the people of God who had received His blessings
and promises. It just didn’t make sense that God would then punish them—especially
when other people were far more wicked, far more deserving of judgment.
Through His prophet Jeremiah, God told the people of Israel that they would not “go
entirely unpunished,” but that He would correct them “with justice.” This was a “good
news/bad news” scenario. The bad news was punishment but the good news was
justice.
Sometimes when people adjust God to their preference, they leave out the idea that He
would punish anyone for anything. They emphasize His forgiveness and mercy to the

extent that they eliminate punishment and justice. That may be the God of man’s idea,
but it is not the God of the Bible. If this were true, there would be no need for Jesus to
have died.
God is the God of justice—-and of mercy and grace. So Jesus died, that we might live.
“I thank You, God, that You are the God of justice and grace. Thank You for Jesus, who
died that I might live. ”
Woodrow Kroll & Tony beckett
www.backtothebible.in