Who Will Judge?

“Far be it from You!  Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”  Genesis 18:25  NASB Deal justly – What does it mean to “do justice”?  How does it make you feel to be accused of judging someone, even if you know that you stand on biblical principles?  How do you feel when…

The Severity of God

“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights.  I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1  NASB Justice – I sincerely hope that you do not pray for this prophecy to come true.  There is no doubt that one day…

Justice as Antidote

Who understands the power of Your anger and Your fury, according to the fear that is due You? Psalm 90:11  NASB Power – Read the first verse of this psalm.  No, not the first English verse.  Read the first verse in the Hebrew text.  Let me help you:  tefillah le-Moshe ish ha-Elohim (A prayer of…

Place Settings

Hate evil, love good and establish justice in the gate; . . . Amos 5:15 Establish – Amos was God’s ambassador.  He came with a burning desire to see God’s people restored.  He exhorted them to heed his warning.  There was a way of avoiding judgment, a way that required nothing more complicated than hating…

The Mark Of The Beast

They are dreaded and feared; their justice and authority originate with themselves.  Habakkuk 1:7 With Themselves – The Chaldeans are coming!  Habakkuk’s warning is a call to immediate repentance in advance of certain destruction.  God’s people are about to be chastised in a most severe way.  As if that isn’t bad enough, Habakkuk provides an…

Duty Calls

He has declared to you, man, what is good; and what does YHWH require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 What Is Good – Pilate asked, “What is truth?”  He didn’t realize that he was asking the wrong question.  The question he…

Law and Grace: Part 3

Baruch Levine emphasizes one of the most important characteristics of the Hebrew view of law when he says: . . . the laws of the Torah did not permit Israelites to expiate intentional or premeditated offenses by means of sacrifice.  There was no vicarious, ritual remedy – substitution of one’s property or wealth – for…

Justice For Victims

When a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall repay five cattle for an ox and four of a flock animal for a sheep. Exodus 21:37 Repay – The biblical principle of justice is straightforward and simple.  Perpetrators repay victims.  You will notice as you read the…

Et too

“Vengeance and retribution belong to Me; in due time their foot will slip; for the day of their calamity is near; and the things prepared are hurrying for them.” Deuteronomy 32:35 In Due Time – God will avenge.  Great!  When?  “In due time.”  So, what time is that?  Coming to terms with the way God…

The God of Justice (6)

I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me.  He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness. Micah 7:9 Will Bring Me Out – There is nothing more destructive than secrets.  In fact, you…