Be a Good Leader

Read Psalm 76, 82, 84, 86, 90, 92, 112, 115
 
Psalm 82:6-7 “I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High.7 But you will die like mere mortals and fall like every other ruler.’”
 
THE LORD God is talking to his representatives, his leaders in Israel. He calls them “gods”. How does this make sense? I AM would certainly not credit any man as a god, would he?
   In one way that is exactly what he did here. In fact, Jesus referred to this Scripture when he was accused of blasphemy for saying he is the Son of God. Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?” 33 The ruling Jews replied, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.” 34 Jesus replied, “It is written in your own Scriptures that God said to certain leaders of the people, ‘I say, you are gods!’”
   Yes, this sounds strange and unholy to our ears. But words can have different meanings, and that is why we must study the Bible. Jesus taught that his Father appointed certain men throughout Israel’s history to be his representatives on earth to help administer God’s justice. The word “god” here certainly does not mean the Most High God, Yahweh or Almighty. And these men are not to be worshiped. But it is a Hebrew word that was occasionally used to refer to an exalted office of a magistrate or judge among God’s people. It seems Jesus was reminding those judging him that they needed to be faithful to their tasks. Instead of criticizing his healing, teaching and merciful works, they should have realized God had also appointed them to minister, not to block his mercy. They should have joined Jesus, not condemned him. After all, mercy was their purpose.
   In this sense, each Christian is a god appointed by the LORD God to administer God’s justice, mercy and physical care. “Social justice” is a common phrase people speak as they point to helping people who are persecuted or poor. But the real justice our societies need begins in knowing right and wrong as God declares. True administration of justice is to declare, as we’ve seen earlier, the good news of God’s justice, so we know wrong and right. Out of God’s right ways comes resolution and redemption. We can be merciful to the broken and lost when we lovingly share God’s mercy and compassion. This is the Holy Spirit’s way to draw some people out of sin and into a righteous life.
   Jesus’ work as the Son of God was to move people into God’s eternal salvation. He told them of sin. He taught forgiveness. He demonstrated mercy. He offered God’s love. He committed and submitted himself to death, so we would live. Our lives should be as the Son of God, who was truly God made flesh.