Judgment is probably not one of the favorite subjects of most people. When we consider the subject in connection with the Scriptures, the thought of judging or judgment – in the Old Testament – is seen often in the matters of men acting as magistrates: officials entrusted with the administration of the laws. Justice was administered generally by the elders or kings or even priests (Ex. 18:13-27; 1 Sam. 8:20). Of course, this concept of judgment is applied to God as the Supreme Judge in such passages as Psa. 9:7-8; 10:17-18; 96:12-13. Psalm 7:8 vividly describes a court scene, with Jehovah as Judge. However, judgment is also seen in the New Testament, often as “deciding, distinguishing and investigating,” but forensically as well, that is, “having to do with a court of law.”
God as Judge and Christ as Judge are described in Hebrews 10:30 and in today’s text (vs. 22). The judgments of God are the expressions of His justice. Formal declarations of His judgments are seen throughout Scripture, whether embodied in words or deeds (Deut. 5:1; Rev. 16:7), or in decisions that are yet to be published (Psa. 36:6). The psalmist informs us that God’s verdicts are a great abyss – as a surging mass of water. They are beyond our comprehension – think in terms of the great mysteries of the Puerto Rico trench where the waters reach a depth of 5.35 miles, where sunlight never penetrates its depths, its creatures live in darkness and the weight of the waters are 1,000 times greater than at the surface. Thus, God’s judgments are past finding out, but they “are true and righteous altogether”(Psa. 19:9). Job describes God as the One “Which doeth great things past finding out” (Job 9:10), and Paul declares that His judgments are unsearchable (Rom. 11:33). For the next few weeks, let us consider the judgments of God.
God as Judge and Christ as Judge are described in Hebrews 10:30 and in today’s text (vs. 22). The judgments of God are the expressions of His justice. Formal declarations of His judgments are seen throughout Scripture, whether embodied in words or deeds (Deut. 5:1; Rev. 16:7), or in decisions that are yet to be published (Psa. 36:6). The psalmist informs us that God’s verdicts are a great abyss – as a surging mass of water. They are beyond our comprehension – think in terms of the great mysteries of the Puerto Rico trench where the waters reach a depth of 5.35 miles, where sunlight never penetrates its depths, its creatures live in darkness and the weight of the waters are 1,000 times greater than at the surface. Thus, God’s judgments are past finding out, but they “are true and righteous altogether”(Psa. 19:9). Job describes God as the One “Which doeth great things past finding out” (Job 9:10), and Paul declares that His judgments are unsearchable (Rom. 11:33). For the next few weeks, let us consider the judgments of God.