It is distressing to watch ‘Crime News’ telecast in some of the 24 hours news channels in various languages in India. Like ‘Finance news’ or ‘Sports news’ or ‘Cinema news,’ ‘Crime News’ has become a regular feature. Do we need ‘Crime News’ every day and that too sponsored by advertisers? As Paul wrote to Timothy, the manifestation of evil and sin has become numerous and varied. (II Timothy 3:1-5) Sin will progressively abound, so would grace of God. (Romans 5:20)
Prophet Ezekiel said: “Violence has grown up into a rod of wickedness.” (Ezekiel 7:11)
1) Rod of wickedness: Violence begins as simple acts among people, including families. Domestic violence of spouses, physical violence among siblings and physical abuse of children are increasing in families. Ezekiel states that this grows into ‘rod of wickedness.’ That means, violence becomes regular feature and habitual.
2) Scepter: There are rulers and kings make ‘rod of wickedness’ as their scepter. That means their authority is backed or derived by violence alone, not truth or justice or righteousness. There are kings like David did not use ‘rod of wickedness’ but ‘justice and equity to all his people.’ (II Samuel 8:15)
3) Institutionalized for evil: Some kings or rulers are not only exercise ‘rod of wickedness,’ but empower their officials to become wicked and demonstrate vileness in day-to-day administration. They do not understand ‘righteousness exalts a nation.’ (Proverbs 14:34) There are others who use violence against established authorities or to impose their agenda or express their grievance.
God is Sovereign, in control of all situations and will bring all actions to judgement. “Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” (Revelation 22:11,12)
Do I hate violence as God hates violence? (Psalms 11:5)