A Life in Exile

There are some words no one likes to hear. Condemnation is one, and cursed is another. In our modern world, I rarely hear either, unless it’s in a movie or a book I’m reading. Perhaps those who like the vampire genre are more accustomed to the word curse, but real-life conversation seems to avoid them both. Though we may refrain from bringing them up, they are very much in play in our world.

The reality of the curse.

It all started in the Garden. Yes, The Garden, Eden, where the first man and woman lived in perfect harmony with God and the land he created for their benefit and pleasure. It wasn’t enough. The one tree he set aside was too appealing, and a serpent talked them into partaking of its fruit. This brought the curse that would now separate them from God, make work and bringing children into the world both painful experiences, and bring thorns and thistles to the land.

But the plan of God from before this “historical” beginning was to restore both the people and the land to the initial state of relationship with the Creator. Until that day, the reality of the curse made itself known through death, wars, strife, hatred, and a multitude of other sins that were not in keeping with the way of God.

A new way for God’s chosen people.

As the Creator revealed himself to the patriarchs and then to the Israelites, he wanted them to live in a way that revealed to the nations around them that their God had a better way, and he would bless the land he’d given them as they obeyed his commands. Among the laws he gave them, there was one relating to those guilty of capital offenses.

“If anyone is found guilty of an offense deserving the death penalty and is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, you are not to leave his corpse on the tree overnight but are to bury him that day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.” (Deuteronomy 21:22-23 CSB)

Wrong-doing was to be punished, and a capital offense carried a heavy cost—hanging on a tree. Remaining obedient to the ways of God was a prerequisite for God’s blessing to be on the land to which he’d led them. He wanted this place to look different from the surrounding nations. It was to be free of wrong-doers. However, because sin had yet not been conquered, there would be wrong and thus punishments were needed. But God didn’t want the land to be defiled by a body left overnight on a tree.

A cursed body would defile the land. God had a rule that would prevent that. Don’t let it hang overnight. Take it down and bury it.

The curse cannot be avoided.

Fast-forward to the New Testament, and our brother Paul brings up this verse in speaking to the believers in Galatia. He makes it clear that not only are those who commit a capital offense cursed but all who fail to follow the Law of God. The only righteous ones are those who live by faith.

For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed. Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:10-14)

In one fell swoop, Jesus, by hanging on the cross, took, not only the curse of mankind but also that of the land. He became the curse for us and redeemed both sin and its consequences. We, who believe on him by faith, have the downpayment to that redemption and have no reason to fear condemnation. When he returns to judge the world and fight the final battle, then both mankind and the land will be renewed and restored to the pre-Garden state, and we will live for eternity in relationship with the Godhead.

The word that must not be named is named.

So, the word that no one mentions must be named—the curse has been defeated by the One who hung on the cross for our condemnation. Without Christ the curse is sure. With Christ, the curse is no more!

Choose Christ.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Learning from the Past post, click HERE, or start the series from the BEGINNING.