Evil Costs Life

"Now Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord took his life." Genesis 38.6-7

We don't know much about Er. We are told that he is the first born son of Judah, that he had a wife named Tamar, and that he was evil in the sight of the Lord, which led to his death. We have very little information on him, but still we can learn an important lesson from his life. Evil costs life.

God hates evil, and He will destroy it. Er was an evil man, and God took his life. We can look at this in three ways. First there is the way of Er, where God literally takes physical life. How evil does a person have to be for God to just take their life because of it? The thoughts, words, and deeds of an individual are so offensive to God that He does not allow them to continue any longer.

Second, God takes the goodness of life from an evil man. I think this happens far more often. Er was unable to enjoy his marriage. He never had the chance of watching his children be born or raising them. He never got to settle down on a piece of ground and work to provide for his family. His wickedness robbed him of the goodness of life. Do your actions drive those closest to you away? Are you gradually losing everything you've worked so hard to attain? Is there evil in your life? God could be taking things from you to get your attention.

Third, God takes the life of the evil man eternally. Sometimes it seems like the worst people get to enjoy the treasures of this world the most. There seems to be no accountability or justice for their actions. They can be evil and get away with it. And it seems that God just allows it to happen. Let me assure you, judgment is coming for them. One day we will all stand before God and give an account of our lives. The evil man will be standing alone and will face the wrath of God. But the man who has sought righteousness we have Christ standing before Him, taking the judgment of God on his behalf.

Men, if you want life, then turn from evil, it brings nothing but death. It could be immediate. It could be gradual. It could be eternal. But no matter how, evil will cost you your life.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor