The strong must lend their strength to the weak or there will be no justice, and those that see the truth must make the blind ones see it or there will be no truth.”
–Ernest Haycox (Alder Gulch)
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother.'”
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother.'”
–Zechariah 7:9 (NKJV)
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What happens when people, especially those in leadership positions do not heed the warnings of God? In Psalm 82, God is warning unjust leaders. He chides them for what they are doing and they are told to change their ways.
1 — God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.
2 — How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3 — Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 — Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.
5 — They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable.
6 — I said, ‘You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.
7 — But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.’
8 — Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all nations. (NKJV)
This Psalm starts out with a courtroom sitting. God is seen standing in the room where He is judging the “gods.” This term has thrown some into confusion. This is not speaking of mythology. The Almighty is not judging Zeus or Athena, or any of the other mythological gods. He is not speaking about polytheism which many take this Scripture to try and prove their beliefs. It is not speaking of the New Age and Mormon belief of the promise that man will become gods. From reading the verses, it is clear that He is speaking to the judges of the earth–the leadership.
God is giving a firm warning to these “judges”. As Matthew Henry wrote, “Those who will not observe the judgments of God’s mouth shall not escape the judgments of His hand.” The Lord desires that there be justice, but these pseudo-leaders have perverted justice. The righteous suffer, and because of that evil is rewarded. In this Psalm,” God is calling into account all corrupt rulers who were responsible for defrauding the weak, the fatherless, the poor, and the oppressed.” (Steven Lawson)
Look at the beginning, this is important. God is presiding! All rulers and authorities are under His domain and control. Judges are put in place to execute justice under the laws of the land, but instead they are blind. No, not blind like the statue that depicts law, but blind to their duties and responsibilities. When lawless, unjust men rule it causes havoc among the people, there is unrest, and in truth the whole world order starts to reel. Think of just those of the last century: Stalin, Hitler, Amin, Pol Pot, and the list could go on. The world was shaken because of their injustice and inhuman treatment of those whom they ruled over.
Martin Luther made the statement, “Rulers must understand that they are not placed over stocks and stones, nor over swine and dogs, but over the congregation of God; they must therefore be afraid of acting against God himself when they act unjustly.” God is in charge. All nations are under His control and if warnings are not heeded, then His judgment will follow. (Even so, come, Lord Jesus.)
“Arm me with jealous care,
As in thy sight to live;
And O thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give!”
–Charles Wesley
———————————–
What happens when people, especially those in leadership positions do not heed the warnings of God? In Psalm 82, God is warning unjust leaders. He chides them for what they are doing and they are told to change their ways.
1 — God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.
2 — How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3 — Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 — Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.
5 — They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable.
6 — I said, ‘You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.
7 — But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.’
8 — Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all nations. (NKJV)
This Psalm starts out with a courtroom sitting. God is seen standing in the room where He is judging the “gods.” This term has thrown some into confusion. This is not speaking of mythology. The Almighty is not judging Zeus or Athena, or any of the other mythological gods. He is not speaking about polytheism which many take this Scripture to try and prove their beliefs. It is not speaking of the New Age and Mormon belief of the promise that man will become gods. From reading the verses, it is clear that He is speaking to the judges of the earth–the leadership.
God is giving a firm warning to these “judges”. As Matthew Henry wrote, “Those who will not observe the judgments of God’s mouth shall not escape the judgments of His hand.” The Lord desires that there be justice, but these pseudo-leaders have perverted justice. The righteous suffer, and because of that evil is rewarded. In this Psalm,” God is calling into account all corrupt rulers who were responsible for defrauding the weak, the fatherless, the poor, and the oppressed.” (Steven Lawson)
Look at the beginning, this is important. God is presiding! All rulers and authorities are under His domain and control. Judges are put in place to execute justice under the laws of the land, but instead they are blind. No, not blind like the statue that depicts law, but blind to their duties and responsibilities. When lawless, unjust men rule it causes havoc among the people, there is unrest, and in truth the whole world order starts to reel. Think of just those of the last century: Stalin, Hitler, Amin, Pol Pot, and the list could go on. The world was shaken because of their injustice and inhuman treatment of those whom they ruled over.
Martin Luther made the statement, “Rulers must understand that they are not placed over stocks and stones, nor over swine and dogs, but over the congregation of God; they must therefore be afraid of acting against God himself when they act unjustly.” God is in charge. All nations are under His control and if warnings are not heeded, then His judgment will follow. (Even so, come, Lord Jesus.)
“Arm me with jealous care,
As in thy sight to live;
And O thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give!”
–Charles Wesley