Sunday, February 5 ,
2012 pm
He Judges Among the
Gods
PSALM 82
Tonight we continue our study of the psalms.
We have here another psalm of Asaph.
Other than that we are not given any information in the
superscription.
This particular psalm is one of judgment against those in position to
judge. It is an indictment
against ungodly and selfish leaders.
Certainly, it has relevant connotations for us today. Let us
examine this psalm.
a.
God stands in the
congregation of the mighty
–
i.
There is no place God
is not found. Psa.
139:7-12, 1 Cor. 4:5 notes that the Lord will bring to judgment the
hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the heart..
He is found in the lowliest of places, but also in palaces and in court
rooms and legislative chambers and churches – all places where people of
authority make decisions for others.
ii.
But this statement is
also an announcement that God takes note of the judgments of leaders.
He knows what you are doing.
Consider Eccl. 5:8, “IF
you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of
justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter;
for high official watches over high official, and higher officials over
them.”
As King Jehosephat sought to reform Jerusalem we find that he set judges
throughout the land and instructed them, “Take
heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man for the Lord,
who is with you in the judgment.
Now therefore, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care
and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no
partiality, nor taking of bribes.”
(2 Chron. 19:6-7)
b.
He judges among the
gods.
NASU says “He judges in the midst of the rulers.”
KJV & ASV uses the term “gods” as do most versions.
But some use the term “judges.”
There is debate as to whether the psalmist is referring to spiritual
deities (true or false) or rulers of this world.
The challenge lies in the word for “gods”.
It is the Hebrew
Elohim, which is most
often translated god and is the general term for a deity (true or
false). However, there are
a few passages where the term has reference to judges.
Of the 1064 times the word is used in the OT, 4 times it is
translated judges (NKJV – Ex. 21:6, 8 & 9); 2 times it is translated
“mighty” (Gen. 23:6, “Hear us, my
Lord, you are a mighty
prince among us…” – of Abraham; Exodus 9:28 where Pharaoh
acknowledges the works of God in the plagues), also once the term is
translated “godly” (Mal. 2:15 where He seeks
godly offspring).
The point is there is occasion where the term has reference to
mean in position of authority.
c.
That our text (Psa.
82:1) has reference to men as judges or men in a prominent position of
leadership,
is to me, the clearly obvious understanding.
I say this because:
i.
The context is
dealing with corruption among these leaders
ii.
AND in vs. 6 we read,
“I said ‘you are gods’ and all of
you are children of the Most High.”
(We will discuss this verse in context in a few moments).
Here let us notice this is also the same Hebrew word, (Elohim).
AND it is a text to which Jesus refers in John 10:34-36
where He is about to be stoned because He claimed Himself to be God.
The leaders understood His claim and accused Him of blasphemy.
But on that occasion Jesus challenged them with the text of Psa.
82:6.
From the reading of John 10 it is clear that the text has reference to
men. While time will not
permit a detailed examination of that text, the point Jesus is making is
that His claim, even if he were not God (and He was NOT saying that),
could have reference to one in a position given by God to exercise
judgment. If such could be
called by Jehovah God a “god” then Jesus, who was claiming to be “the
Son of God” was not blaspheming.
Jesus was refuting their accusations against Him.
d.
The warning of this
text is that God is and will judge the judges and rulers.
a.
The majority of this
psalm is identifying the corruption and destiny of wicked leaders.
It is something that each of us entrusted with leadership ought
to take into consideration.
James 3:1 warns that teacher will receive stricter judgment.
Heb. 13:17 commands that we obey our elders (those who rule over you)
and to be submissive because “they
watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.”
1 Cor. 4:1-2 describes the need of stewards to be faithful.
b.
How long will you
judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?
(2)
i.
The need for justice
Justice means doing that which is fair and right.
True justice is without partiality and is to a factor in all our
judgments. Consider the
following:
Matt. 23:23 is an interesting passage where Jesus in rebuking the
scribes and Pharisees said, "Woe
to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and
anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law:
justice and mercy and faith.
These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
Prov. 16:8, “Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues
without justice”
Prov. 17:23, “A wicked man accepts a bribe behind his back to pervert
the ways of justice.”
Prov. 19:28, “A disreputable witness scorns justice, and the mouth of
the wicked devours iniquity.”
Prov. 23:1, “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the
Lord than sacrifice.”
ii.
The lack of justice
was one of the downfalls of both Israel and Judah.
Sadly, such an attribute was not exclusive to that generation.
iii.
An awesome challenge
that every leader has, whether physical or spiritual, is to ensure that
he is fair and honest in his dealings with those over whom he is
entrusted. There is nothing
more disheartening than to see corrupt leaders that have been caught in
corruption. Legislators
have been forced to resign and judges have been removed from the bar.
On some occasions, if the corruption is deep enough, all of their
convictions are overturned.
Sadly, like back then, money and power still corrupts and causes
dishonest rulings and laws.
And if it is bad in society, think of what it would be like in the
church.
In 1 Peter 5:2-3, elders are admonished to shepherd the flock, not by
compulsion or for dishonest gain, nor as lords, but rather they are to
lead by example. The point
is that theirs is a work of love and care for the flock.
IT is not about what they can gain advantage of over the church.
The same could be said of the preacher in his dealings – he is to be
humble and an example (1 Tim. 4:12, 16).
c.
Some of the sins they
were guilty of.
i.
Defend the poor and
fatherless. (3-4) Often
they are neglected from justice.
It is truly sad how sometimes those with power and money can buy
a verdict. In our judicial
system, we try to provide public defenders for those who cannot afford
it, but often times they are not of the caliber and do not have the
resources to defeat their opponents.
It is not unheard of for judges to turn their heads.
ii.
Render justice to the
afflicted and needy.
Everyone ought to be entitled to the same system of judgment.
We know that with God there is no partiality (Rom. 2:11).
And in our dealings with one another, we are to consider these
things as well (Jas. 3:17, 2:9, etc.)
Deliver the poor and needy.
Free them from the hand of the wicked.
d.
Lesson for us:
There is a need to help the needy –
Because of restrictions that God has placed upon the church in matters
of benevolence (cf. 1 Tim. 5:16), we sometimes neglect the continual
instructions to care for those less fortunate than us.
i.
Jas. 1:27 – pure and
undefiled religion is to “visit” orphans and widows…
ii.
Gal. 2:10 – they
desired only that we remember the poor, the very thing we were eager to
do.
iii.
Gal. 6:10, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all.
iv.
1 John 3:17-19 speaks
of our brother in need.
v.
Matthew 25:34-46
associates it with our judgment
e.
The corruption of
these judges (5)
i.
They do not know, nor
do they understand. This
statement is a reference to the corrupt leaders described in the above
verses.
Solomon had observed earlier, “Evil men do not understand justice, but
those who seek the Lord understand all” (Prov. 28:5)
ii.
They are described as
walking in darkness and the cause of the earth being unstable
(socially).
iii.
How truly sad it is
when a society blinds itself to true justice.
We can see the damage done by a nation, or a court, with an
agenda that is contrary to all its people.
iv.
Solomon observed that
there were judges like that.
Eccl. 3:16-17, “Moreover I
saw under the sun: In the place of judgment, wickedness was there; and
in the place of righteousness, iniquity was there.
I said in my heart, ‘God shall judge the righteous and the
wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”
f.
The judgment of these
judges (6-7)
i.
I said ‘You are gods’
(6). God placed them in
positions of great authority to do justice.
Think about this. We
are given commands to be careful about how and who we judge (Matt.
7:1-5, John 7:24). By
definition, a judge is in place to make judgments.
It is a position of high honor (which is why you show respect in
the courtroom). May it
never be abused.
The SAME could be said of elders in the Lord’s church.
Theirs is a position of high honor which is why it demands the
highest of integrity and qualifications.
ii.
But you shall die
like men, fall like one of the princes (rulers). (7)
In this verse is the warning that even the most corrupt of men
will one day die and then face the judgment of God (cf. Heb. 9:27)
III.
Arise, O God, judge
the earth (8)
a.
The psalmist cries to
God for justice. Let us
understand, as we bring this lesson to its conclusion – we live in a
world that does not always practice true justice.
Often those, who seek to do the right things, especially
Christians, face unfair and even ungodly penalties.
But, as Christians, we know that no matter what happens in this
life, God will make it right (Rom. 8:28, 37-39; 2 Cor. 5:1 – we know
that if our earthly house is destroyed, we have a building from God
eternal in the heavens.)
b.
“You shall inherit
all nations” – it is His world.
He is ultimately in control.