“I will restore your judges as at the first” (Is. 1:26)
“Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do so. And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way.” (Judges 2:16-19)
A judge is an arbiter of justice. In the times of the judges, they governed or ruled. Judges avenged or vindicated people with their enemy. They set things in order for the people individually by deciding controversies, speaking the truth unbiasedly for the benefit of all parties. They also set things in order corporately, defending and delivering the people from the hands of the enemy. To judge is the Hebrew word shaphat. [1]
A judge:
1.)Hears a case, decides who is right and makes a decision what to do about it,
2.)delivers people from injustice or oppression, and
3.) rules over a group of people maintaining law and order. [2]
God is our ultimate judge. In Genesis 18:25 Abraham says about God, “Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” And Psalm 96:13 says, “The Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.”
In 1 Samuel 24:15 David called out for God to judge between him and Saul who was chasing him down to kill him out of jealousy. David told Saul, “The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and delivered me out of thine hand."
And Job 37:23 says, “The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.”
“You are awesome, God of Power, Lord of Glory, come and fill this place” sings
The first example of man as judge was Moses. When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and to the mountain of God, he began to act as judge over the people. In Exodus 18:13 it says, “And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning to evening.”
Because this was a heavy weight for Moses, his father-in-law suggested that Moses delegate judging to competent leaders under him. Exodus 18:17-21 says, “So Moses' father-in-law said to him, 'The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the ways in which they must walk and the work they must do. Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge.”
In Numbers 25:5, Moses calls the judges to not only decide matters but to provide deliverance of the people from their enemy. He told the judges of Israel, “Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-Peor.”
While a judge is similar to a king, it is treated in the Bible distinctly different. Samuel was a judge in Israel, and he grew old, he appointed his sons as judges. However, his sons did not walk in his ways. His sons “turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes and perverted justice.” (1 Samuel 8:1-3). Because of this, the elders gathered together and told Samuel, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
Kings, like judges, ruled over the people maintaining law and order. They also decided between people who was right and wrong, and delivered the people from injustice. Saul and David both filled these roles as kings.
King, Strongs #4427, the Hebrew word melek means “royal.” [3] A king was a royal appointment and a form of government that was most often passed down one's family line to their sons. Kings were anointed by God and went through some sort of coronation ceremony where people recognized their position. Judges, on the other hand, were not officially appointed, but became evident to the people by the Spirit of the Lord coming upon them in power.
Judges 3:10 says about Caleb's younger brother Otheniel, “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel.”
In Is. 28:6, Isaiah prophesies, “In that day the Lord of host will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people, for a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.”
“I was made for Your glory, made for Your honor, made for Your glory, to bear your name” sings.
As commentary notes, He will empower the remnant of His people to execute justice, bringing it forth and turning back the enemy. [4] The Lord is our Judge who fills us with His Spirit, giving us His wisdom to make righteous judgments. He is also is our strength against our enemy. Not only for ourselves, but He empowers us to help others gain freedom from the enemy who oppresses them.
One pastor writes, “Isaiah gives two examples in these verses of what it means to serve the Lord because you have His royal crown. '[The Lord] will be a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment.' In other words, if you’re a judge, if you have the responsibility of making judgments and decisions, then your ability to judge right and wrong, to correctly handle situations, your ability will come from the Lord. The Lord is the spirit of justice working in you; the Lord is your royal crown, your treasure, the One who gives you the ability to serve Him in truth and love.
Again Isaiah gives an example: “'[The Lord will be] a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.' If you’re a soldier, if you’re in a battle, if you have the responsibility of protecting others, then your strength comes from the Lord. The Lord is the strength working in you; the Lord is your royal crown, your treasure, the One who gives you the ability to stand up against whatever attacks you.” [5]
It is by the Spirit of God that His people are empowered to enact justice on His behalf. Isaiah 1:26 says, “And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”
Just Judgments - Speaking the Truth in Love
As Mike Bickle notes, Jesus was and is the 'faithful witness (Rev. 1:5). He also calls us to be faithful in our witness, speaking the truth in love in all situations we encounter. Mike Bickle writes, “The call to remain faithful in declaring both negative truths and positive promises is foundational to our role as a messenger of the truth. We must be obedient to speak the full counsel of God, including both the positive and negative aspects of the truth (Acts 20:27).” [6]
Mike Bickle notes that Jesus did not back down in fear when the truth was difficult to receive. He did not avoid speaking truths that were negative, nor did He exaggerate the positive things with flattery. His words were filled with truth. Jesus did not dilute the truth when it came as a rebuke or a warning of judgment. [7]
In John 7:24 Jesus says: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary notes about this verse “That the most competent judges of the truth and divine authority of Christ's doctrine are those that with a sincere and upright heart desire and endeavour to do the will of God (v. 17).”
Often we can think we are being kind by softening the truth and not telling someone the whole truth (okay 'we' here is really 'I'). I will try really hard to be polite and nice. However, Jesus was not polite and nice, He was boldly truthful. Mike Bickle writes, “Speaking the truth is one vital aspect of how God expresses His love for us.” He goes on to note, “We speak boldly because we understand that only in receiving God's truth can people hope to experience more of His love and mercy.” [8]
Often what is behind not being fully truthful is a lack of love. One does not want to risk being truthful out of fear or a desire to be comfortable. It is much more comfortable to say nothing than to speak the truth and risk damaging the relationship or having to deal with a negative reaction. However, people pleasing is not love. It is trying to get one's need for significance met from the approval of others rather than God.
People did not come out to Deborah, one of the judges of Israel, sitting under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel to be flattered. They sought her out because she was willing to confront them in speaking the truth when they needed to hear it. She was also a prophetess who knew the will of the Lord through prayer. They sought her judgment because she shared the heart of God for them and was willing to speak it out.
Deborah willingly confronted sin. When Barak failed to go against Sisera and deliver the people of Israel, she confronted him. She shared God's heart to see the children of Israel set free from their harsh oppression by Jabin, king of Canaan. She asked Barak, “Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, 'Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphali and of the sons of Zebulun; and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand?” (Judges 4:6-7)
Where I struggle the most with speaking the truth is when people are not going to receive it and accept it but most likely will react strongly negative. Sometimes a person is going in the wrong direction and in a great deal of sin but not interested in the truth. In these cases, I often shrink back from speaking the truth and say nothing because I believe it will not do any good and I don't want to suffer the abuse from their negative reaction.
However, just because people are not willing to receive the truth, we should not hold it back. We should have their good at heart and speak it forth. Jeremiah is an example. God had him speak to a people who would not only not listen to him, but desired to kill him for the words he spoke. Yet God sent him anyways. God told Jeremiah, “Do not be dismayed before their faces...For behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar... they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you.” (Jer. 1:17-19)
Mike Bickle writes, “God will still require faithful witnesses who must speak the truth boldly to the wicked, for in this way Jesus' perfect love and justice will be manifest in all that He does.” [9]
Speaking the truth never gives one license to be harsh to someone. One should never speak the truth out of a judgemental or critical heart. This is not sharing the heart of God for the other person. Rather, it is selfishly taking out one's anger or frustration on another. One can be 'right' and truthful, but they are completely wrong if they choose to cause harm to another. 1 Peter 2:17 says to honor everyone.
In Luke 6:37 Jesus says, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Mike Bickle writes, “to be tender means we speak truth without bitterness or anger as we seek the benefit of our hearers. The point of speaking boldly is not to win an argument or to prove we are right, or to get even. We speak it for the benefit of the hearer so that they have a chance to respond and receive more of God's love and power. To be humble means we speak the truth without a personal agenda.” [10]
Frequently, my agenda is to get along well with others. I rate how I am doing and how my day is going based upon harmony in my relationships with others. What I should really be evaluating is my obedience and faithfulness to God, despite the outcome in my relationships and connections with others. Sometimes conflict is healthy and good.
Delivering Others From The Enemy
We should speak the truth not only to people, but also on behalf of people. Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
All throughout the Bible God makes it clear that we are our brothers keeper. We have a responsibility not only to ourselves and our own well being but for all those around us – especially the poor and needy. If we see something that is wrong, or someone else treated wrongly, we are to courageously speak up on behalf of them and not sit back quietly and uninvolved.
Proverbs 29:7 says, “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”
Deborah not only shared God's heart to see the children of Israel delivered from their oppressors, but she courageously entered into battle with them and on their behalf. When Deborah confronted Barak in his sin for his failure to deliver the people, he would only agree to go if she went with them. So she went with Barak and ten thousand men to fight on behalf of Israel. As a result of their victory, “the hand of the children of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.” (Judges 4)
Deborah helped the children of Isreal to obtain the victory by willingly entering into battle on their behalf, both for and with them. And in their obtaining the victory, they grew stronger to be able to stand against the enemy themselves. In the same way, if we are to willingly enter into battle on behalf of others with and for them, they gain ground and grow stronger to stand themselves.
Mother Teresa was someone who shared God's heart for those hurting and oppressed. She willingly entered into their problems, difficulty and suffering to help restore them to life. This is similar to the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 where most everyone walked by on the other side of the street in indifference to the pain of the man who was robbed. But the Samaritan had compassion on him and entered into his difficulties, fully taking care of the wounded man.
Mother Teresa writes, “The indifference of people who walk by without picking up those whom we pick up is a confirmation of their ignorance and lack of faith. If they were convinced that the one who is lying on the ground is their brother or their sister, I think they would undoubtedly do something.” [11]
James 2:16 says, If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? He also noted, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).
God calls us to enter into battle on behalf of others. We are to care for our brothers both with our words and our deeds – speaking up on their behalf and entering into the battle on their behalf.
Maintaining Justice
The way that the judges maintained law and order was not by demanding that others follow rules and regulations. Judges did not have any 'official' authority outside of their relationship with God. Instead they loved and lived the law of God with their whole hearts. They interceded for the people and called them out to follow the same pattern of life.
Psalm 106:3 says, “Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.”
Samuel, a judge in Israel, told the house of Israel, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” The people put away their idols and served the Lord only. And they told Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:3,8)
In the same way, Deborah's heart desire was to see the leadership and the children of Israel fully offering their whole hearts to God. Upon obtaining the victory Deborah and Barak rejoiced and Deborah proclaimed, “My heart is with the rulers of Israel who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the Lord!” (Judges 5:9)
Lord, forgive me where I have failed to speak the truth boldly in love. Instead, I too often choose the path that is most comfortable, shrinking back from the truth – especially with those whose hearts are hard.
Would you pour out your Spirit, giving us wisdom to discern the truth, the boldness to speak it out, and the courage and strength to enter into the battle. Would you establish Your people in all You have for us. We long to grow more in Your image and be faithful witnesses of You.
1. Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the text of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurrence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (H553). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.
And Judge Dictionary Definition. Located at: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/judge. Last Accessed: 11/10/10.
2. Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W. (1996). Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words (1:250). Nashville: T. Nelson.
3. Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the text of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurrence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (H553). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.
4.MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Is 28:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
5. Sermons preached by Pastor Ben Squires. Isaiah 28:5-6 - “Royal Crown.” Monday, December 24, 2007. Located at: http://pastorsquires.blogspot.com/2007/12/isaiah-285-6-royal-crown.html
6-10. Bickle, Mike with Kim, Biran. 7 Commitments of a Forefunner: A Sacred Chart To Press Into God. Forerunner Publishing. Kansas City, Mo. 2009.
11. Mother Teresa. No Greater Love. New World Library. Navato, California. 2002.
A judge is an arbiter of justice. In the times of the judges, they governed or ruled. Judges avenged or vindicated people with their enemy. They set things in order for the people individually by deciding controversies, speaking the truth unbiasedly for the benefit of all parties. They also set things in order corporately, defending and delivering the people from the hands of the enemy. To judge is the Hebrew word shaphat. [1]
A judge:
1.)Hears a case, decides who is right and makes a decision what to do about it,
2.)delivers people from injustice or oppression, and
3.) rules over a group of people maintaining law and order. [2]
God is our ultimate judge. In Genesis 18:25 Abraham says about God, “Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” And Psalm 96:13 says, “The Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.”
In 1 Samuel 24:15 David called out for God to judge between him and Saul who was chasing him down to kill him out of jealousy. David told Saul, “The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and delivered me out of thine hand."
And Job 37:23 says, “The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.”
“You are awesome, God of Power, Lord of Glory, come and fill this place” sings
The first example of man as judge was Moses. When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and to the mountain of God, he began to act as judge over the people. In Exodus 18:13 it says, “And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning to evening.”
Because this was a heavy weight for Moses, his father-in-law suggested that Moses delegate judging to competent leaders under him. Exodus 18:17-21 says, “So Moses' father-in-law said to him, 'The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the ways in which they must walk and the work they must do. Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge.”
In Numbers 25:5, Moses calls the judges to not only decide matters but to provide deliverance of the people from their enemy. He told the judges of Israel, “Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-Peor.”
While a judge is similar to a king, it is treated in the Bible distinctly different. Samuel was a judge in Israel, and he grew old, he appointed his sons as judges. However, his sons did not walk in his ways. His sons “turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes and perverted justice.” (1 Samuel 8:1-3). Because of this, the elders gathered together and told Samuel, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
Kings, like judges, ruled over the people maintaining law and order. They also decided between people who was right and wrong, and delivered the people from injustice. Saul and David both filled these roles as kings.
King, Strongs #4427, the Hebrew word melek means “royal.” [3] A king was a royal appointment and a form of government that was most often passed down one's family line to their sons. Kings were anointed by God and went through some sort of coronation ceremony where people recognized their position. Judges, on the other hand, were not officially appointed, but became evident to the people by the Spirit of the Lord coming upon them in power.
Judges 3:10 says about Caleb's younger brother Otheniel, “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel.”
In Is. 28:6, Isaiah prophesies, “In that day the Lord of host will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people, for a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.”
“I was made for Your glory, made for Your honor, made for Your glory, to bear your name” sings.
As commentary notes, He will empower the remnant of His people to execute justice, bringing it forth and turning back the enemy. [4] The Lord is our Judge who fills us with His Spirit, giving us His wisdom to make righteous judgments. He is also is our strength against our enemy. Not only for ourselves, but He empowers us to help others gain freedom from the enemy who oppresses them.
One pastor writes, “Isaiah gives two examples in these verses of what it means to serve the Lord because you have His royal crown. '[The Lord] will be a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment.' In other words, if you’re a judge, if you have the responsibility of making judgments and decisions, then your ability to judge right and wrong, to correctly handle situations, your ability will come from the Lord. The Lord is the spirit of justice working in you; the Lord is your royal crown, your treasure, the One who gives you the ability to serve Him in truth and love.
Again Isaiah gives an example: “'[The Lord will be] a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.' If you’re a soldier, if you’re in a battle, if you have the responsibility of protecting others, then your strength comes from the Lord. The Lord is the strength working in you; the Lord is your royal crown, your treasure, the One who gives you the ability to stand up against whatever attacks you.” [5]
It is by the Spirit of God that His people are empowered to enact justice on His behalf. Isaiah 1:26 says, “And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”
Just Judgments - Speaking the Truth in Love
As Mike Bickle notes, Jesus was and is the 'faithful witness (Rev. 1:5). He also calls us to be faithful in our witness, speaking the truth in love in all situations we encounter. Mike Bickle writes, “The call to remain faithful in declaring both negative truths and positive promises is foundational to our role as a messenger of the truth. We must be obedient to speak the full counsel of God, including both the positive and negative aspects of the truth (Acts 20:27).” [6]
Mike Bickle notes that Jesus did not back down in fear when the truth was difficult to receive. He did not avoid speaking truths that were negative, nor did He exaggerate the positive things with flattery. His words were filled with truth. Jesus did not dilute the truth when it came as a rebuke or a warning of judgment. [7]
In John 7:24 Jesus says: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary notes about this verse “That the most competent judges of the truth and divine authority of Christ's doctrine are those that with a sincere and upright heart desire and endeavour to do the will of God (v. 17).”
Often we can think we are being kind by softening the truth and not telling someone the whole truth (okay 'we' here is really 'I'). I will try really hard to be polite and nice. However, Jesus was not polite and nice, He was boldly truthful. Mike Bickle writes, “Speaking the truth is one vital aspect of how God expresses His love for us.” He goes on to note, “We speak boldly because we understand that only in receiving God's truth can people hope to experience more of His love and mercy.” [8]
Often what is behind not being fully truthful is a lack of love. One does not want to risk being truthful out of fear or a desire to be comfortable. It is much more comfortable to say nothing than to speak the truth and risk damaging the relationship or having to deal with a negative reaction. However, people pleasing is not love. It is trying to get one's need for significance met from the approval of others rather than God.
People did not come out to Deborah, one of the judges of Israel, sitting under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel to be flattered. They sought her out because she was willing to confront them in speaking the truth when they needed to hear it. She was also a prophetess who knew the will of the Lord through prayer. They sought her judgment because she shared the heart of God for them and was willing to speak it out.
Deborah willingly confronted sin. When Barak failed to go against Sisera and deliver the people of Israel, she confronted him. She shared God's heart to see the children of Israel set free from their harsh oppression by Jabin, king of Canaan. She asked Barak, “Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, 'Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphali and of the sons of Zebulun; and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand?” (Judges 4:6-7)
Where I struggle the most with speaking the truth is when people are not going to receive it and accept it but most likely will react strongly negative. Sometimes a person is going in the wrong direction and in a great deal of sin but not interested in the truth. In these cases, I often shrink back from speaking the truth and say nothing because I believe it will not do any good and I don't want to suffer the abuse from their negative reaction.
However, just because people are not willing to receive the truth, we should not hold it back. We should have their good at heart and speak it forth. Jeremiah is an example. God had him speak to a people who would not only not listen to him, but desired to kill him for the words he spoke. Yet God sent him anyways. God told Jeremiah, “Do not be dismayed before their faces...For behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar... they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you.” (Jer. 1:17-19)
Mike Bickle writes, “God will still require faithful witnesses who must speak the truth boldly to the wicked, for in this way Jesus' perfect love and justice will be manifest in all that He does.” [9]
Speaking the truth never gives one license to be harsh to someone. One should never speak the truth out of a judgemental or critical heart. This is not sharing the heart of God for the other person. Rather, it is selfishly taking out one's anger or frustration on another. One can be 'right' and truthful, but they are completely wrong if they choose to cause harm to another. 1 Peter 2:17 says to honor everyone.
In Luke 6:37 Jesus says, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Mike Bickle writes, “to be tender means we speak truth without bitterness or anger as we seek the benefit of our hearers. The point of speaking boldly is not to win an argument or to prove we are right, or to get even. We speak it for the benefit of the hearer so that they have a chance to respond and receive more of God's love and power. To be humble means we speak the truth without a personal agenda.” [10]
Frequently, my agenda is to get along well with others. I rate how I am doing and how my day is going based upon harmony in my relationships with others. What I should really be evaluating is my obedience and faithfulness to God, despite the outcome in my relationships and connections with others. Sometimes conflict is healthy and good.
Delivering Others From The Enemy
We should speak the truth not only to people, but also on behalf of people. Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
All throughout the Bible God makes it clear that we are our brothers keeper. We have a responsibility not only to ourselves and our own well being but for all those around us – especially the poor and needy. If we see something that is wrong, or someone else treated wrongly, we are to courageously speak up on behalf of them and not sit back quietly and uninvolved.
Proverbs 29:7 says, “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”
Deborah not only shared God's heart to see the children of Israel delivered from their oppressors, but she courageously entered into battle with them and on their behalf. When Deborah confronted Barak in his sin for his failure to deliver the people, he would only agree to go if she went with them. So she went with Barak and ten thousand men to fight on behalf of Israel. As a result of their victory, “the hand of the children of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.” (Judges 4)
Deborah helped the children of Isreal to obtain the victory by willingly entering into battle on their behalf, both for and with them. And in their obtaining the victory, they grew stronger to be able to stand against the enemy themselves. In the same way, if we are to willingly enter into battle on behalf of others with and for them, they gain ground and grow stronger to stand themselves.
Mother Teresa was someone who shared God's heart for those hurting and oppressed. She willingly entered into their problems, difficulty and suffering to help restore them to life. This is similar to the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 where most everyone walked by on the other side of the street in indifference to the pain of the man who was robbed. But the Samaritan had compassion on him and entered into his difficulties, fully taking care of the wounded man.
Mother Teresa writes, “The indifference of people who walk by without picking up those whom we pick up is a confirmation of their ignorance and lack of faith. If they were convinced that the one who is lying on the ground is their brother or their sister, I think they would undoubtedly do something.” [11]
James 2:16 says, If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? He also noted, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).
God calls us to enter into battle on behalf of others. We are to care for our brothers both with our words and our deeds – speaking up on their behalf and entering into the battle on their behalf.
Maintaining Justice
The way that the judges maintained law and order was not by demanding that others follow rules and regulations. Judges did not have any 'official' authority outside of their relationship with God. Instead they loved and lived the law of God with their whole hearts. They interceded for the people and called them out to follow the same pattern of life.
Psalm 106:3 says, “Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.”
Samuel, a judge in Israel, told the house of Israel, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” The people put away their idols and served the Lord only. And they told Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:3,8)
In the same way, Deborah's heart desire was to see the leadership and the children of Israel fully offering their whole hearts to God. Upon obtaining the victory Deborah and Barak rejoiced and Deborah proclaimed, “My heart is with the rulers of Israel who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the Lord!” (Judges 5:9)
Lord, forgive me where I have failed to speak the truth boldly in love. Instead, I too often choose the path that is most comfortable, shrinking back from the truth – especially with those whose hearts are hard.
Would you pour out your Spirit, giving us wisdom to discern the truth, the boldness to speak it out, and the courage and strength to enter into the battle. Would you establish Your people in all You have for us. We long to grow more in Your image and be faithful witnesses of You.
1. Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the text of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurrence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (H553). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.
And Judge Dictionary Definition. Located at: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/judge. Last Accessed: 11/10/10.
2. Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W. (1996). Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words (1:250). Nashville: T. Nelson.
3. Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the text of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurrence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (H553). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.
4.MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Is 28:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
5. Sermons preached by Pastor Ben Squires. Isaiah 28:5-6 - “Royal Crown.” Monday, December 24, 2007. Located at: http://pastorsquires.blogspot.com/2007/12/isaiah-285-6-royal-crown.html
6-10. Bickle, Mike with Kim, Biran. 7 Commitments of a Forefunner: A Sacred Chart To Press Into God. Forerunner Publishing. Kansas City, Mo. 2009.
11. Mother Teresa. No Greater Love. New World Library. Navato, California. 2002.
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