Where Is Justice?
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Key Verse: “Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.” Selected Scriptures: |
THIS LESSON CONSIDERS the subject “Where is Justice?” The Key Verse points forward to the time when the Christ assumes power over the earth to administer righteous judgment during the kingdom reign. Our text also informs us that he will inherit all nations (see Psalm 2:8) from Jehovah, which promises that it will be a worldwide kingdom of justice for all mankind.
Psalm 82 begins with the prophetic statement, “God [referring to Jehovah] standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.” (vs. 1) The psalmist is speaking of the time preceding our Lord’s kingdom. God is shown as being in the congregation of the mighty (those selected to rule with Jesus), and is judging among the gods (the mighty ones of this present evil world). The next three verses tell of the failure of earth’s leaders to achieve justice in the earth.
During the Gospel Age a call has gone out to select a class (Jesus’ faithful bride) that will share with our risen Lord in the administration of that kingdom. The psalmist continues, “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” (vs. 6) Jesus quotes this verse in John 10:34 applying it to his faithful followers. The psalm continues, “But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” (vs. 7) No one can escape the death sentence because of Prince Adam’s transgression, but the consecrated children of God die with Prince Jesus. They are made conformable unto his death as joint-sacrificers during the present Gospel Age. Our text will be fulfilled when our risen and glorified Lord, together with his faithful bride, share in judging the world with justice and equity for all nations. The administration of Christ’s kingdom will bring an end to the injustice that now prevails in the world. It will be a time for delivering the afflicted, the poor, and the needy who continue to walk in darkness because all of the foundations of the earth are out of course.—vss. 3-5
Psalm 113 also points forward to this blessed time. The psalmist writes, “Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.”—Ps. 113:5-9
The ‘barren woman’ who is the mother of children points to the fulfillment of one of the prophecies of the kingdom as recorded by Isaiah. He says, “Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.” (Isa. 54:1) Sarah, Abraham’s first wife, was barren a long time until she bore Isaac. His second wife, Hagar, who bore Ishmael, represented the Law Covenant. (See Gal. 4:22-31) Ishmael represented the nation of Israel which was cast off. Thus is shown the superiority of the Grace Covenant, represented by Sarah, under which the ‘seed’ of promise is developed. This promised seed will bless all the families of the earth. A glorious prospect awaits the poor groaning creation when there will be justice for all under the New Covenant of that kingdom.