They do not plead the cause, the cause of the orphan, that they may prosper; and they do not defend the rights of the poor. Jeremiah 5:28b NASB They do not defend – Jeremiah rails against the wickedness of Israel in the days before the Babylonian captivity. He charges them with idolatry, insolence, and a…
So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” 1 Kings 3:9 NASB Who is able – Answer the question. Solomon asked it. You answer it. Who is able to judge? The answer, of course, is the one…
and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.” 1 Samuel 8:5 NASB Appoint – First, a bit of technical stuff. The Hebrew text is the word sima(h)-la’nu, from the verb sym…
“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast. As I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to overthrow, to destroy and to bring disaster, so I will watch…
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 NASB No condemnation – Is Paul speaking the truth? If you’re part of the assembly of followers of Yeshua HaMashiach, are you free from condemnation? Oh, I understand the theory! But this hasn’t been my experience! Perhaps you are blessed…
“Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” Genesis 18:25 NASB Judge – The word translated “judge” is from the root shapat. It means, “to act out the functions of government.” The Hebrew concept of governing is not like the idea of justice in the Western world. It is not the application of…
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV See anything different – Keep the code! Paul exhorts his readers, “Stick to what is written!” Why? The answer…
See my affliction and suffering and forgive all my offenses. Psalm 25:18 Robert Alter translation Offenses – hatta’t is the predominate Hebrew word for “sin.” It is a picture of missing the mark, as if we each were shooting arrows at God’s target and missing the dead center bull’s eye. Livingston notes the following insight:…
Turn to me and grant me grace, for alone and afflicted am I. Psalm 25:16 Robert Alter translation Turn – We just want to see a smile. We want to look on the face of the Lord and see Him smiling. Growing up under the Roman idea of God as Judge, we have buried deep…
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within [the church]. But those who are outside God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 NASB (brackets added) Judge – How many times have you heard someone say, “You shouldn’t judge others!” This seems…
