The Justice of God
Notes
Transcript
As I was doing my research concerning this text this week I found one Bible Scholar John Dominick Crossan who argues that this Psalm, Psalm 82, is the most significant text in the whole Bible.
I’m not certain that I am fully persuaded by his argument - though I’d not read the whole thing. Honestly, I’m not even sure that I would say this is the most significant Psalm. I would learn toward Psalm 2 being that, or maybe Ps 19, or 22, or 119… clearly I haven’t thought about it that much…
Though I find this to be an odd claim about Ps. 82, it is an interesting claim nonetheless. He states that he finds it even more important than John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
And the reason that this scholar makes this point is because of what this text reveals to us about God. The text shows us God as a divine judge who is ruling over gods and calling them to account for their deeds.
Divine Court is in Session…
The Defendant, The Charge, the Sentence, the Judge
The Defendant
The Defendant
In this Psalm God has taken his place in the divine council. Which is a way of saying that God is seated in a position of judgement. And he is speaking to what this text identifies as “gods” little g.
There has been much discussion about who this text might refer to.
Now this is confusing because as Christians we are monotheists - we believe in one God. We do not believe in a plurality of gods and that YHWH is the greatest of them - we believe in one God, in three persons Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
There are several suggestions.
Our definition of who the “gods” are doesn’t change much about our interpretation.
A few options:
Created cosmic beings, angels, demons, evil spirits… those called rulers, authorities and cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces…(Eph. 6:12).
Human judges and rulers in the world who are promoting injustice. (John 10:34)
God is elohim here in the ESV - but it could also be translated as the judges.
Personally, I favor this interpretation - however, I mention the other because it is a common interpretation.
As a note, it seems that the word gods here almost seems a bit mocking because of the follow up in verse 6. And for this reason in the NIV the translators have put scare quotes around the word gods in verses 1, 5 and 6.
So when ever you hear me say “gods” today - just imagine that I’m doing the air quotes things… but I’m not going to do that every time… even though it is written in my notes that way.
Both of these categories have this word applied to them elsewhere.
Regardless of where we fall on who these “gods” (little g) are they are created, they are not perfect, they will face judgement and they will die.
Regardless of who they are God has said that they will die like men. But also there is only one God (capital G) and he reigns supreme over all other powers and authorities.
When seek to understand Scripture we must allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. For this reason I’m going to throw a few bonus verses on the screen:
3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
21 On that day the Lord will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth.
6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
Let us not spend so much energy in determining who God is speaking to in this text, that we miss what this text communicates to us about who God is.
Through God’s indictment to these “gods” we see what God cares about, and what he requires of those in authority positions.
So we have seen who, or at least potentially, who God is speaking to… so then next question that we ought to look to in this text would be what?
What is God saying to them?
The Charge
The Charge
God is speaking the judgments that he is bringing against these “gods”. and in verses 2-5 we find the content of the charge…
Verse 2 - partiality to the wicked…
This has been a common theme that has come up
We have seen the sin of partiality comes up in Galatians 2, and Deuteronomy 10. Next Sunday in James 2 we will read of this as well. God does not show partiality, and throughout many places in the Scriptures he asks that his people also do not show partiality. So these “gods” are first accused of obstruction of justice and judging unjust and showing partiality. Showing favor to the wealthy, or the famous in a court of law is not justice. Justice by it’s very definition does not and cannot play favorites.
God is a God of Justice - and thus when others abdicate and obstruct justice - they will be charged with such - and they will be judged. And that is how the Psalm ends - but before we get there: The Lord not only charges them - but gives them correction - instead of showing partiality to the wicked - and judging unjustly… give justice to the weak and the fatherless. The Scriptures often place an emphasis on caring for those who cannot care for themselves. The weak, the elderly, the orphan, the widow are all people that we should care for. Especially those with power or influence.
The government(?) should seek to take care of the elderly, the orphan and the widow rather than take advantage of them. The church should care for those rather than ignore them, or forget about them. We should as a church never be tempted to put someone on the back burners simply because they do not give, or cannot give - whether we are speaking of time or money - but remember that God is near to the broken hearted and he saves those who are crushed in spirit (Ps 34:18). There is no place in the church for “only if you scratch my back will I scratch yours.”
Instead of seeking to take advantage of the weak and the needy we should seek to protect them from the wicked. Though these charges are specifically spoken against these “gods” and whether they be human rulers and leaders, or cosmic beings - we can all realize that there is a charge and a responsibility for us to care for the helpless.
Yet far too often we become complacent to toss a few dollars to charity and consider that to be giving justice to the weak and the fatherless or the weak and the needy.
As I mentioned, this text shows us about God. God cares for the needy and the weak.
Ps 68:5 “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
And God’s deliverance is much greater than simply tossing a few coins to a beggar. And the hymn we sang just moments ago reminds us that Jesus ready stands to save the sinners, the poor, the needy and the weak.
In the final aspect of this charge in verse 5 we see the side effects of their abdication of justice. The foundations of earth are shaken as they walk around in darkness. This can be an easy thing for us to see - as our nation has come to exemplify much of the charges made against these “gods” here so do we also see things falling apart.
John Goldingay: (As quoted in NAC)
Psalms 73–150 2. God’s Reproof of the Divine Assembly (82:2–7)
“When faithless people ignore or oppress the poor and no one does anything to rescue them, the very structure of human existence is imperiled. The whole society may collapse.”311
The Sentence
The Sentence
In verse 6, God pronounces the sentence upon the guilty.
The demonstration that God is the only righteous judge.
Revelation 11:15: “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.””
6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;
Now verse 6 is interesting since you likely are familiar with it from how Jesus quotes it in John 10:34. And many have misunderstood this quote.
So it’s a seemingly odd text for Jesus to assert his divinity from. However, let me address the final verse before I address how Jesus uses this Psalm.
And an important part of that is Ps 82:7
7 nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”
Even though God has declared that these men are “gods” (again little g) - they will still die like men. And fall like any prince. They are not special. Due to their failure to judge justly, to uphold justice to the weak and fatherless, and the rescue the weak and the needy… because they have abdicated their responsibility to those in need - they will be judged and put to death. Disobedience to God’s commands and rejection of his
standards leads to death… this is true of all - God does not show partiality.
The Judge
The Judge
The final verse of this Psalm brings us to the last point of our courtroom metaphor. The judge. And while we have known that God is judge throughout this whole text in verse 8 we see the Psalmist responding to the court case. In response to hearing that these “gods” have been tried and found to be guilty - the Psalmist then celebrates and praises the judge.
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!
There is two phrases here that the Psalmist speaks of concerning what God will do.
Judge the earth.
Inherit the nations.
2 Tim 4:1 tells us that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. Psalm 2 tells us that the Son will judge and then inherit the nations.
As I mentioned a moment ago, Jesus quotes this Psalm in John 10:34. The interesting thing about the context of John 10 is that the Jews in that text are putting Jesus on trial - at least informally. Jesus is teaching that he is the good shepherd of the sheep. He ends his teaching by stating that He and the Father are one. They pick up rocks to stone him - so they are not looking for a fair trial. Quite like the “gods” or judges in Psalm 82 the Jews in John 10 are not judging justly, but brashly.
32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
Jesus is not saying that all of us are gods - though many have tried to argue that this is what Jesus is saying.
Jesus is arguing that he cannot be guilty of blaspheming because of what the Psalm says. But as we have just seen that isn’t really the point of this text. And generally when Jesus quotes a text he isn’t just proof-texting - by that I mean he doesn’t just throw our a gotcha Bible verse at them that ignores context - and is more designed to make them quiet rather than faithfully teach the text. (Which is a terrible way to do theology - but it is extremely common.)
Some have merely said that if God is willing to call these human leaders “gods” then it isn’t blasphemy for Jesus to call himself the Son of God.
And while that is true I want to assert that there is more to Jesus’ argument than that. It’s not just that because some men are called “gods” then Jesus is also fit to be called God - BUT rather that because of the works that Jesus has done - he has demonstrated that he is God. (That he references in verse 32):
32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”
Jesus isn’t misusing the text - what Jesus is really saying is “Why are you going to stone me when I have done works in front of your very face that are in step with the very character of God?” Those in the Old Testament who abdicated justice were called “gods” - and yet they are ready to stop Jesus who has loved widows, welcomed children and cared for the poor, performed miracles… and better yet Jesus said he is God, but Jesus also clearly demonstrated that he is God.
NIVAC - “Jesus uses the Scriptures to make the very point the psalm itself makes: namely that true divinity is marked by the characteristics of God. He goes on to point out that the deeds he has done, the miracles he has worked, and the way he has lived in the midst of the people all evidence the true nature of his deity because they are in keeping with the character of God himself.” 225
So as this text is God putting these other rulers on trial and them coming short for failing to uphold what God has required of them - Jesus uses it in an almost opposite sense - as these Jewish leaders are putting him on trial Jesus uses this text to say “All of those things that these ‘gods’ failed to do I have done.” Jesus is perfectly in line with what God requires because he himself is God in human flesh.
Application:
The Bible teaches us that God is a just God. He takes justice very seriously, and expects those whom he has put in positions of authority to maintain justice. Whether we conclude that “gods” here refers to angels, or if it’s a mocking word for kings and rulers - doesn’t change that God expects of man and of earthly kings and rulers. They are expected to uphold justice - even if we don’t see that here we see it can in Romans 13 that governing officials and authorities have been placed there God as servants for good. They are expected by him to uphold justice - and to be a terror to bad conduct - to thwart evil - not to be a terror to justice and promote evil. And woe to the government that promotes evil rather than punishing it. Woe to the government, and any man, who calls evil good.
As we look at this text today we should be driven to pray for the repentance of those who celebrate evil. Who rejoice at the murdering of babies, who blaspheme God with joy, who judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked.
But also to call for their repentance as well.
But we are also asked by God to appropriately submit to these governing authorities. But we are also to remind them of the purpose of their position and who put them there.
Jesus has created these “gods” or rulers or authorities - and he reigns supreme over them.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
And as we have already read - he return and he will judge them.
But he will judge everyone of us… and you will either fall on the rock of ages, and be broken with repentance and faith or the rock of ages will fall on you and you will be crushed by him…
