Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;
Because of Israel's continual disobedience, in that they had not executed His judgments, had despised His statutes, had polluted His Sabbaths, and had followed their fathers' idols, God responded as the verse describes. What He gave was added penalties annexed to the transgression of His law. The statutes are called not good not because they were evil in themselves, but because for the transgressor they brought punishment and death rather than life, so that he should not live on in his rebellion.
The same statutes and judgments were good for the obedient, who would live by them and shall live in them. Breaking the law showed open contempt for the great Lawgiver because it had been given in majesty and unapproachable glory, and death became its penalty. These punishments belonged to the civil law given through Moses and were inflicted so that others would be restrained by fear.
Because of Israel's continual disobedience, in that they had not executed His judgments, had despised His statutes, had polluted His Sabbaths, and had followed their fathers' idols, God responded as the verse describes. What He gave was added penalties annexed to the transgression of His law. The statutes are called not good not because they were evil in themselves, but because for the transgressor they brought punishment and death rather than life, so that he should not live on in his rebellion.
The same statutes and judgments were good for the obedient, who would live by them and shall live in them. Breaking the law showed open contempt for the great Lawgiver because it had been given in majesty and unapproachable glory, and death became its penalty. These punishments belonged to the civil law given through Moses and were inflicted so that others would be restrained by fear.