God Promises He Requires Justice

Psalms 82:1-3 God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the “gods”: 2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?…6 I said, ‘You are “gods”, you are all sons of the Most High.’”
 
HAVE you ever considered you might be called a “god” under God’s justice system? This is a unique and surprising name God gives to those appointed to be judges in Israel. Asaph, the psalm writer, begins this song declaring God is sovereign and judges the nation through “gods”. And then God speaks in verses 2-7, labeling Israel’s judges in verse 6 “You are ‘gods’; you are all sons of the Most High.’”  Jesus confirmed the LORD was speaking of men here when he said in John 10:34 “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’?”
   To label the judges “gods” was to underscore their heaven-based responsibility. Men were to judge Israel through God’s law. We must remember his law was not intended to emphasize punishment. God’s law ws written to help people know how to love God and to love one another. Obeying God’s laws blessed his nation with peace and abundance. A beautiful summary of properly administering God’s laws is found in Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. This is a 3-part purpose: act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.  
   But in verses 2-7, God condemns the “gods” for neglecting this 3-part purpose. They did not act justly: V  2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?” They did not love mercy. V 3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. And they did not walk humbly with God. V 5b They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. In response, God judged them. V 7 “But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.”
   God’s grand purpose for his people was to lead them into a just, merciful and humble relationship with him. To emphasize his relationship with Israel, God referred to himself with the image of three personal relationships: 1) Israel’s Father: Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. 2) Israel’s husband and 3) Israel’s Redeemer: Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband – the LORD Almighty is his name – the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.  
   We know God now reveals even a more intimate relationship with us through Jesus’ great redemptive work and the Holy Spirit’s personal relationship with us. Now it is time for us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God and one another.
   Be God’s just “god” to demonstrate God’s justice over the world.