Text: Rom 11:22
A. God’s severity in the Old Testament.
Severity shown in the flood (Gen 7:21-23).
Severity shown in Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24-26).
Severity shown in Egypt (Exo 12:29-30).
B. God’s goodness in the Old Testament.
Goodness shown in deliverance from Egypt (Exo 3:7-8).
Goodness shown in giving of the Law (Deu 6:24-25).
Goodness shown in providence in wilderness (Neh 9:19-21).
C. God’s goodness in the New Testament.
Goodness shown in Jesus’ service to man (Mat 20:26-28).
Goodness shown in Jesus’ death for man (Joh 3:16-17).
Goodness shown in Jesus’ preparing of a place (Joh 14:1-3).
D. God’s severity in the New Testament.
Severity shown in Jesus’ cleansing of the temple (Mat 21:12-13).
Severity shown in Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees (Mat 23:27-28).
Severity shown in Jesus’ judgment at His 2nd Coming (Mat 25:41).
E. In every act of severity in the Old Testament, there is goodness.
In the flood – the world could have been saved had they repented within 120 years (Gen 6:3).
In Sodom & Gomorrah – the cities could have been saved had there been 10 righteous men (Gen 18:32).
In Egypt – the Egyptians’ firstborn could have been saved had they not hardened their hearts (Exo 9:34-35).
F. In every act of goodness in the New Testament, there is severity.
In Jesus’ service to man – those who do not acknowledge their sins will not receive spiritual healing (Mar 2:17).
In Jesus’ death for man – those who do not believe will be condemned (Joh 3:18).
In Jesus’ preparing of a place – those who do not do the will of God will not enter heaven (Mat 7:21).
G. How can we reconcile God’s goodness with His severity?
When He commanded the killing of the Canaanites (Deu 20:16-18; Gen 15:13-16; Isa 57:1-2)?
When He instituted capital punishment (Lev 24:17-21; Rom 13:3-4; Eze 18:21-23)?
When He punish people in hell (Rom 6:23; Rom 1:16; 2Th 1:8-9)?