The Price of Sin

Aim: To comprehend the seriousness of sin (in all its facets).

Doctrine: Sin always exacts a heavy toll on the church, the world, (and even the Lord). This is because we live in a thoroughly moral universe where all actions must be accorded with God's perfect righteousness.

Exegesis: The exorbitant payment the price of sin requires: sin compels God's judgment (against sinners) (vv. 1-2a); sin necessitates misery (on the part of those who persist in it) (vv. 2b-6); sin moves God to send a person (who will atone for His elect church) (vv. 7-10).

Further application: How the price of sin gets covered (in every case): either through eternal torment in hell, or through wondrous atonement in Christ.

Key verse: v. 1 ''Then the children if Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years...''