The focus here is on punishment for evil or bad deeds and also with consideration on the transferable aspect of punishment, i.e., whether it can be passed on to others, including future generations. There is this Biblical  assertion: "punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generations,"(Ex. 20.5) which may apply not only to children of fathers committing the sin but to other children.

It appears that much of the anguish and suffering in the world is attributable to the misdoings and evil acts committed by people that include those committed by Grandpa Adam and Grandma Eve, the first humans and the first to commit sin that impacts all  people in every generation.

What then are people to do, if anything? Succinctly stated, in a nutshell, they are to do all the good they can, love unconditionally and extol justice as the noblest of all principles governing human relationships. During these things will not prevent all suffering but will lessen suffering, including that to be experienced by the unborn.

There is evidence that the Creator favors people who practice right living and empowers them to have joy in suffering resulting from doing good.

Do not be surprise o man,o people, o nation, if you find yourself or your world swirling in the whirlwind of despair and misery. Retribution, like the law of gravity, is absolute and exacting. Although I am not a pessimist or dooms-day naysayer it is clear to me that the eschatological moment is near, perhaps imminent, for reckoning on a human-wide scale that will be apocalyptic, catasrophic and awe-stricken. "There shall be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then." (Dan. 12.1) But until then and especially then humans are destined to suffer, irrespective of their good or bad behavior. Even now the fruits of retribution are on display for all to see. Nobody is exempted, nobody can escape the fury. Much suffering results from "man being a wolf to man," whose cannibal cravings cause him to eat not only others but himself. It's something of a "dog eat dog" syndrome and may invovle suicide.

Because retribution also means awards for good deeds it appers that something of a balancing act exists, but not quite, between awards for good deeds and punishment from evil or bad deeds. But like a disease that can destroy a healthy person, retribution for bad deeds can debilitate or destroy a person who, as a practice, does good deeds. Nevertheless, a discussion on retribution for rendering good deeds deserves to be discussed in the future.

Copyright 2013 by Uriah J. Fields

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