Judge, Lawgiver and King

I came across a wonderful verse that expressed the confidence of God's people due to the sovereignty and power of God.  The reader was directed to look to Jerusalem, their quiet home, and were assured it would be God's enduring dwelling place.  In the New King James Version, Isaiah 33:22 is rendered as a parenthetical phrase:  "...(For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King; He will save us)...".  Again and again the prophet emphasised the God of Israel is the LORD, the most High God who has no equal or rival.  It is ironic people these days do not like the idea of being ruled by anyone, yet it was God's majesty and power to rule assured God's people of His salvation.

The children of Israel acknowledged the LORD as their Judge, one who presides over a court with authority to hear and determine civil and criminal cases.  People generally are not pleased to be judged, to be in a position where the decision of someone in a position of authority has the sole right to determine what is right or wrong when it affects them personally.  Yet the children of Israel claimed the LORD as their Judge, knowing all God does is right, just and good.  In Australia, one must obtain the qualification to be a judge by obtaining degree(s) in law, have years of practical experience in the field of law, and must be appointed by the government.  God is unique because He always was and will always be, the ultimate authority whose word stands.  God chooses and judges; He appoints and ordains because He is God.  There is no one but Him.

In addition to being their Judge, the LORD was their Lawgiver.  God revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and He appeared on Mt. Sinai in the view of all the Hebrews and gave His Law to Moses.  The finger of God inscribed His Law on both sides of the stone tablets Moses carried.  It is unheard of in courts today for a judge to also be a lawgiver, for the judicial and legislative branches ensure this power is separated to prevent people from abusing power and to facilitate impartial justice.  God is able to be the Judge of His people and the whole earth, and He can always be counted on to do what is right.  God's righteousness, mercy, grace and love are foundations of His goodness, and He is infinitely more than "moral."  The LORD is the Holy God who is perfect in all His ways, and only He is without sin.  He is ideally suited to be the Lawgiver because He is holy and righteous.

Finally, God's people identified the LORD as their King, their sovereign who wields all power and authority over all.  His understanding is infinite and all His judgments righteous.  The letter and spirit of the Law are fully understood and known by God who needs no precedent to give a verdict, and He has already spoken in His word.  He is a good King who knows every one of His subjects and loves them, able and willing to do everything necessary to save them.  When Jesus was crucified on the cross, Pilate wrote a sign that identified Jesus as the fulfillment of Isaiah 33:22, for Jesus is the King of the Jews and the Saviour of the world.  Jesus coming as the Light of the World puts the Old Testament in the new light of the Gospel, and those with eyes of faith see our LORD Jesus everywhere:  He is the KING OF KINGS!

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