The concept of divine retribution is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, where the punishment of the wicked often begins in this life. This principle is evident in various scriptural accounts and teachings, illustrating that God's justice can manifest in temporal consequences for sinful actions.

Biblical Examples:

1. Cain: The first instance of divine punishment in human history is seen in the account of Cain, who, after murdering his brother Abel, is cursed by God. Genesis 4:11-12 states, "Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth."

2. The Flood: The wickedness of humanity in the days of Noah led to the catastrophic flood, a direct punishment from God. Genesis 6:5-7 describes how "the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart. So the LORD said, 'I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth.'"

3. Sodom and Gomorrah: The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah serve as a stark example of immediate divine judgment. Their destruction by fire and brimstone was a direct response to their grievous sins. Genesis 19:24-25 recounts, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground."

4. Pharaoh and Egypt: The plagues of Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus, were a series of divine judgments against Pharaoh and his people for their oppression of the Israelites. Exodus 7:4-5 states, "Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay My hand on Egypt, and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out My divisions, My people the Israelites. And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out My hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them."

5. Korah's Rebellion: In Numbers 16, the rebellion led by Korah against Moses and Aaron resulted in immediate punishment. Numbers 16:31-33 describes how "the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly."

Teachings and Warnings:

The Bible also contains numerous teachings and warnings about the consequences of wickedness in this life. Proverbs 11:21 asserts, "Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape." This proverb highlights the certainty of divine justice.

Psalm 37:28 further emphasizes, "For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked will be cut off." This passage underscores the temporal aspect of divine retribution, where the wicked face consequences even as the righteous are preserved.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself warns of the temporal consequences of sin. In John 5:14 , after healing a man, Jesus cautions him, "See, you have been made well. Stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you." This warning implies that continued sin can lead to further suffering in this life.

Conclusion:

The Bible consistently presents the idea that the punishment of the wicked often begins in this life. Through historical accounts, proverbs, and teachings, Scripture reveals that God's justice is not only reserved for the afterlife but is also evident in the temporal realm.Proverbs 11:31
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of Civil Government.
... 3 Chap.19 sec.16, et supra, Chap.10), lest, as often happens to ... from zeal for the
public interest, to call for the punishment of the wicked and pestilential ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The Book of Enoch
... and in the latter not only is the book often used without ... of Enoch respecting the
reward of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked, composed, as he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of enoch.htm

Definitive Form of the Ideas of Jesus Respecting the Kingdom of ...
... Lastly, the kingdom of God is often a spiritual kingdom, and the ... promise resurrection
only to the righteous,[5] the punishment of the wicked consisting in ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xvii definitive form of.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... They are often, indeed, thrown into alarm, but never ... verse 9), he certainly contrasts
a wicked and rebellious ... which make mention of the punishment which, from ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... foist into the inspired record legends of no authority, and often contradictory
of Holy ... The last judgment follows, with the punishment of the wicked and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual ...
... while, on the contrary, the wicked flourish, prosper ... in which iniquity shall receive
its punishment, and righteousness ... we observe that the Lord often lays his ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the knowledge of.htm

Of Hell
... But the inhabitants of hell are perfectly wicked, having no ... been adjudged to this
place of punishment, before they ... How often have we incurred the sentence of ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 73 of hell.htm

Book ii.
... We have read how often by the death of one great nations have been ... brings with it
either the reward of good works, or the punishment of wicked ones, it is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book ii.htm

Gratitude for Deliverance from the Grave
... Christ, nevertheless taken by them with wicked hands, when ... he would deserve if it
were a punishment according to ... times around the world, and often wrecked, and ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/gratitude for deliverance from the.htm

The Curse Removed
... God upon those who are undeniably wicked is, of ... We have often asked ourselves, Can
men really believe ... stroke, and death for death, and punishment for punishment ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 57 1911/the curse removed.htm

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