Adoni-Bezek: The Law of Requital

As I have done, so God hath requited me. — Judges i. 7.

Adoni-bezek (King of Bezek) had conquered seventy of the little kingdoms in and around Palestine, and had shown their kings the rough hospitality of cutting off their thumbs and their great toes, and so allowing them to gather their meat under his table. In due time Adoni-bezek himself was overthrown by Judah, and his own thumbs and great toes were cut off, and in his humiliation he acknowledged that God had done to him as he himself had cruelly done to others. This fact is an illustration of a severe yet most holy law. The Lord of recompenses shall surely With what measure ye mete, it shall be measmed to you again. This is the law under which we are now living. Let us study some of its bearings, that we may live with religious wisdom.

I. As I have done, so God hath requited me, — then

THE LIFE OF MAN CANNOT ESCAPE THE JUDGMENT OF GOD.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked/^ etc. Man may de’wy it: may theoretically disregard it: but cannot escaie it! At the heart of things is the spirit of judgment. Human life appears to be confused, but, before the Almighty it has shape, and plan, and purpose.

II. As I have done, so God hath requited me, —

THEN LET NO MAN TAKE THE LAW INTO HIS OWN HANDS.

‘•’ Yengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.^’ Adoni-bezek acknowledged his punishment as a divine visitation. He did not look upon it as a petty resentment on the part of his enemies. He took a high moral view of his condition. Why have lue S2iffered loss in business? May it not be that we have oppressed the poor and needy? Why are our schemes delayed and thwarted? Probably because we have been obstinate and unfriendly towards the schemes of others. Why are we held in disesteem or neglect? Probably because of the contempt in which we have held our brethren. So, we are to look at the rno^al working of things, and to see in the results which are forced upon us, not the petty anger of men, but the holy and righteous judgment of God.

III. As I have done so God hath requited me, —

O^HEN” EVEEY GOOD DEED WILL BE HONOURED WITH APPKO-PRIATE REWARD. The law is equally effective on both sides. ‘^ God is not unrighteous to forget your work of faith and labour of love/^ etc. Whosoever shall give a cup of cold water only/^ etc. “The liberal soul shall be made fat.’^” Give, and it shall be given unto youj good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.^’ ‘’^ He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.^^ Remeraber, (i) Goodi deeds are their own reward; (2) Deeds done merely for the sahe of reward cannot be good.

IV. As I have done so God hath requited me, —

THEN THOUGH JUSTICE BE LONG DELAYED, YET IT WILL BE

VINDICATED EVENTUALLY. Adoni-bezck had run a long course of wickedness. Seventy kings had suffered under his cruel knife. It seemed as if all power had been given into his hands. Yet, see him in the grip of the law and learn that the time of punishment is with the Lord and not with man! Do you think that you have outwitted the law of retribution? Gods hour is coming; a stormy and terrible hour! Adoni-bezek acknowledged his punishment to be ^ust; he saw it to be God’s act; so at last every wicked man will own that hell is his proper place.

Brethren, be comforted! Life is not so haphazard a movement as in some aspects it may appear. Above it all is seated the ever-watching and incorruptible Judge.” I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay-tree, yet he passed away, and lo he was not, yea I sought him but he could not be found.’’ Give yourselves no uneasiness about the punishment of offenders: do your work honestly and straightforwardly whoever may oppose, and in the long run you will see that there is a rod for the wicked, and a crown for those who do well.

But what of those who having done evil, hate both themselves and their wickedness? There is a gospel for such, — “Eepentauce towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,” will destroy the evil of the past, and satisfy the inexorable law of retribution.