For the destroyer is coming against her, against Babylon, and her mighty men will be captured, their bows are shattered; for the LORD is a God of recompense, He will fully repay. (Jeremiah 51:56)

Trifling with God is not a good thing. In fact, it is quite dangerous to treat God in any way except with fear. By fear, I don’t mean frightfulness, but a full appreciation that God is a loving Father who will not hesitate to react strongly to sin, injustice and distortion of the truth. The word used here in the NASB and most other English translations is “recompense” and is translated “retribution” in the NIV. It can mean either “reward” or “punishment” based on what a person deserves. In this case, Jeremiah warns of the divine consequences against Babylon for its violence against Israel. There will be a just payback—God will see to that!

In today’s popular Christian culture, God is seen in one dimension as loving. But He is also just. The Law wasn’t just an arbitrary standard—it reflects His holiness. To oppose God’s people or His Law was tantamount to going against God Himself. And He is no pushover.

The nations and rulers of Psalm 2 who “take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed …” are faced with this terse retort: “He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury…” (Ps 2:2, 4-5). Lest we think this is only for kings of nations, we read, “He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished” (Pr 17:5).

Lest we also think this is just an OT portrayal of God and the NT has a more kindly, gentle depiction, the letter of Paul that exalts the Gospel of grace puts it this way: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Gal 6:7).

Hinduism’s karma views one’s life as forming the basis of future consequences, either good or bad. In one sense, the Bible says something similar: there are consequences for your actions. However, the difference is this: in Hinduism, the connection is based simply on an impersonal principle. In the Bible, the connection is based on a personal, divine causation. When we reap what we sow, it is because God has intended this to be, and He is personally involved in causing the consequences to happen. That is why God sometimes withholds those just consequences. That is called mercy. However, we dare not presume upon God’s mercy, for He can be a terrifying force in our lives when we push against Him.

Lord, thanks for Your overwhelming mercy; without it, I would be destroyed.