Deuteronomy 28:58 If you do not diligently observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, fearing this glorious and awesome name, the LORD your God, 59 then the LORD will overwhelm both you and your offspring with severe and lasting afflictions and grievous and lasting maladies… 63 And just as the LORD took delight in making you prosperous and numerous, so the LORD will take delight in bringing you to ruin and destruction; you shall be plucked off the land that you are entering to possess.

Here is a continuation of the description of judgment that would befall Israel as a result of their disobedience to the law God had given them. And while it reads much like yesterday’s passage there is a part that really challenges me:

“so the Lord will take delight in bringing you to ruin and destruction”

This is hard for me to swallow. As a father of three young adult children I know what it is to bring correction/discipline to children, particularly younger children. It’s our job as parents to do this work. Bringing correction is part of the job, but I never enjoyed it or took delight in it. Apparently God sees it differently, which is his prerogative since he is, you know, God. But as I wrote yesterday, this image of God doesn’t square with my understanding of him.

Lord the truth is you confuse me sometimes. Give me grace to make peace with my limited knowledge and understanding of you. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.