Crime Doesn't Pay

 An SS officer named Adolf Eichmann became a rising star in Hitler’s Nazi army. Asked to head up the mission to rid the city of Vienna, Austria, of Jews in 1938. He did a very efficient job.

In January 1942, Eichmann was put in charge of the final solution—a code name for exterminating all the Jews in Europe. He was in charge of finding, transporting, and killing millions of Jews in the Nazi death camps. He carried this duty out with horrifying efficiency, exhibiting no conscience. He killed around four million Jews in the camps, while another two million were executed elsewhere. After the war, Eichmann escaped justice by fleeing to Argentina, where he made a life for himself and his family in Buenos Aires.

On May 11, 1960, Israel’s Mossad operatives snatched Eichmann away as he was walking from the bus to his home. A Year later, Eichmann’s trial began in Jerusalem. He claimed he was following orders, but the judges found him guilty and sentenced him to die. On May 31, 1962, he was hanged. Justice was late, but it came with finality for Eichmann.

A story in 2 Samuel is about a young Amalekite who brought news to David. He brought an embellished story of how Saul had died. He fully expected that his story would place him in the good graces of the new king. He distorted the truth enough to make himself the “hero” of his story. He claimed he had killed Saul to ease his suffering. He thought David would see his significant accomplishments and reward him. Surely, David wanted the crown. This was his plan and logical thinking, but the Amalekite picked the wrong king because David did not think like that.

We know that the young man who came to David had not, in fact, killed Saul. He just claimed that he had. He fabricated his lie in order to achieve his plan. What he did not understand was David’s righteousness. He miscalculated by not taking into account the character of this king. David asks him, “How is it that dared touch the Lord’s Anointed? (2 Samuel 1:14). David gave the order to execute him.

The Amalekite thought he could seek David’s kingdom while ignoring the king’s righteousness. He exemplifies all who think wrongdoing pays when God’s king reigns. Those who entertain that thought fail to realize that they will ultimately stand before the Lord in final judgment.

Eichmann appeared to have escaped justice for many years, but he did not. It may seem that many have escaped justice, but they will not because the king of the Universe, Jesus Christ, is the one who determines the final outcome. Those who believe God’s Word know it is foolish to defy God’s justice. The Lord forgives those who repent. He restores those who turn to him for help. He has mercy on those who humble themselves. He heals those who cry out to him. But he does not reward unrighteousness.