REFLECTION
Confronting God is the theme for our reflection. Confronting God, means earnestly and passionately bringing one’s frustration or petition before God for His divine intervention or deliverance. In Psalm 82 the psalmist petitioned or called on God to take His place as the ultimate judge because the human judges representing Him in the nation of Israel had failed to administer justice effectively. In other words, the psalmist confronts God with the many injustices experienced by the poor and vulnerable in society and petitions Him to bring judgement on corrupt Judges and give justice in favour of those who deserve it.
It is interesting to note that human judges are referred to as gods. “God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:” (Psalms 82:1) Human judges are referred to as gods because they represent God in determining the fate of people. To demonstrate that judges represent God in the administration of justice, King Jehoshaphat after he had “… appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, he said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God or partiality or taking bribes.” (2 Chronicles 19:5-7) Judges pronounce sentences that either free or imprison a person, in some cases their judgement may lead to a death sentence if the need be. A person who wills such authority is privileged to be likened to a god. No wonder they are referred to as “Law Lords” and they are usually referred to as “my Lord” It is for this reason when the gods (judges and magistrates) failed to administer justice, they are brought before the Ultimate Judge whose authority they hold those honourable positions as judges among men. God shows His displeasure when gods (judges and magistrates) fail to administer justice which leads to the suffering of the less privileged and vulnerable in society. Consequently, “God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods(judges and magistrates), he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalms 82:1-4). If judges fail to diligently play their role in fighting corruption and injustice against the poor and vulnerable in society, God will judge them, for God said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” (Psalms 82:6-7)
The psalmist confronts God on behalf of the weak, fatherless, afflicted and destitute when he said “Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! (Psalms 82:8) Dear friend in the Lord, we must feel uncomfortable, greatly agitated and have zero tolerance for injustice. When those who are given the mandate and privilege to represent God in the administration of justice fail, we must petition God as the originator of justice and ultimate judge to intervene and deliver the vulnerable. We see the hand of God in the affairs of the vulnerable when we avail ourselves to be used as agents of God in acting justly to protect their rights and to preserve their human dignity. Shalom.
PRAYER
O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. Amen. (Psalms 10:17-18)
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