5:21-23

This last word of wisdom makes the point that the Lord sees sin and judges it. This is an essential part of “the fear of the Lord,” reverently believing the God of the Bible, exclusively loving, obeying, and worshiping the One you will give an account to. He sees everything you do (21), so be controlled by the fear of the Lord, not exciting feelings and situations. God. Is. Watching. The punishments of verses 22–23 are not bad luck but certain events for those who reject the Lord. You may think you hide your tracks from everyone else, but your ways and paths are deeply rooted wagon tracks clearly seen by the Lord. Not only does the Lord see what you do, he judges sin (22–23). God very rarely judges sin with the lightning bolt; most often he lets sinners go their chosen way, and the path and way of sin is death. What a sobering thought that God judges sinners by letting them go their way. Love your spouse and no one else; God sees all—avoid a fall!

1. When does God get tired? What in all creation does God miss or forget? With this in mind, think and meditate on v. 21.
2. A practical help might be to write v. 21 on cards and put them in different places to remind you of that truth. Regularly move them around.
3. If you’re not passionately controlled by your spouse’s love (v. 19), what will you be controlled by (v. 22)?