Do Judges Occupy a Role Reserved for God?

Apr 19

Apr 19 Do Judges Occupy a Role Reserved for God?

Devos and Studies, Psalms Devos_Studies, God's Word

Judges and Justice

There’s a significant concern today about a lack of justice. However, defining justice depends on a person’s values and ideology. Do you view justice as a social construct based on prevailing cultural views? Or do you see justice determined by the framework of constitutional laws?

Religious beliefs inform another basis for justice. Of course, this depends on a person’s religious views. Laws based on Judeo-Christian ethics and morality are radically different from Sharia (Islamic) laws. In American society, both elected and appointed judges of low or high courts are the people who mete out justice.

An important reason the role of a judge carries great responsibility is that it's modeled on the judges who assisted Moses with the leadership of Israel (Exodus 18:18-27). They exercised delegated authority from Moses, who received his authority directly from God.

And don’t we expect a similar level of responsibility from our judges and leaders? Isn’t this what all people in all nations hope for in their leaders? And yet, we see much injustice and a shirking of responsibility by too many leaders whose decisions affect the lives of those under their authority.

Keep this in mind as you read through Psalm 82, where the word “gods” represents those who make their judgments—as judges—based on the Law of Moses.

Scripture

A psalm by Asaph.

God takes his place in his own assembly. He pronounces judgment among the gods:
“How long are you going to judge unfairly?
How long are you going to side with wicked people?” Selah
Defend weak people and orphans. Protect the rights of the oppressed and the poor.
Rescue weak and needy people. Help them escape the power of wicked people.
Wicked people do not know or understand anything.
As they walk around in the dark, all the foundations of the earth shake. [vss 1-5]
I said, “You are gods. You are all sons of the Most High.
You will certainly die like humans and fall like any prince.”
Arise, O God! Judge the earth, because all the nations belong to you. [vss 6-8]

(Psalm 82:1-8 GW) [Context– Psalm 82]

Psalm 75

Reflections and Insights

The psalmist becomes a spokesperson for God, who rebukes the leaders of Israel, and all nations, for poor leadership and injustice. Because God created all people in His image, God expects those in leadership roles to uphold God’s values, not their own.

In verse 1, the word “gods” is the generic form of the Hebrew word elohim. It is the plural form of the same word used for God Almighty. In chapters 21 and 22 of Exodus, we see the same word used of those who represented God as judges for Israel (Exodus 21:6; 22:8-9 NKJV).

… then his master shall bring him to the judges… (Exodus 21:6 NKJV)

Again, this is why the role of a judge carries great responsibility. The judges of Israel who assisted Moses had delegated authority as representatives of God.

We can understand the word “gods” to represent the judges and other leaders of Israel from the context of the Lord’s indictment (vss 1-2), exhortations (vss 3-4), and warnings (vss 5-7) through the psalmist.

Look at what God expects—"Defend... Protect... Rescue... Help…” (vss 3-4) those society views as marginalized. This is what God expects of anyone in a position of authority over others. Not only judges in courts and government leaders, but supervisors over people, and even parents.

Each of us is a role model for others in our various roles in life. Each of us has the image of God imprinted in our being. If we claim to be children of God, we have a responsibility to represent God in our daily lives.

Want to see genuine social justice? Pursue it wherever you have an influence on others. We can do this when we hold godly values, as seen in this psalm. And remember, God is the ultimate judge.

Reflection—

How do you promote justice and carry responsibility in your life towards others? If you want to see genuine social justice, pursue it wherever you have an influence on others.

Prayer Focus—

When you are grieved about injustice or wrongs you see in the world, ask the Lord to help you see how to be an influence for good on others in your life.

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