Judge for the Lord

July 29, 2012

Lesson: 2 Chronicles 19:4–11

Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 19:6

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Introduction

James, wanting the people of God be made strong in the midst of persecutions, wrote: “Speak not evil of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge” (James 4:11). We have the warning that, if we become the judge, we may easily be judging another in an evil way. James gives us an understanding of what it means to judge one another in an evil way. We are not to judge: to try, condemn, and punish. When we judge a brother in an unrighteous way, we are also judging the law, making the law fit the judgment. The emphasis is on the person who enjoys smearing the name of another, thus raising himself above another. Calvin puts it this way: “We see how much labor James takes in correcting the lust for slandering. For hypocrisy is always presumptuous, and we are by nature hypocrites, fondly exalting ourselves by calumniating (slandering) others. There is also another disease innate in human nature, that every one would have all others to live according to his own will or fancy. This presumption James suitably condemns in this passage, that is, because we dare to impose on our brethren our rule of life.”

We must therefore seek righteousness in any judgment we make. And what better way to see ourselves and others in Christ Jesus, the only one who can judge righteously: “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another” (James 4:12). An illustration of those who follow the Lawgiver is found in Leviticus: “Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the persons of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:14–16). Those who seek to judge another are those who put themselves above others.

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, has shown himself to be righteous in tearing down the false idols that had plagued the people of God: “Nevertheless there are things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God” (2 Chron. 19:3). When the Word of God prepares our hearts to serve Him, we will seek not our own desires, but the desires of our Lord. And in seeking the desires of God we become a blessing to others.

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Judges Appointed—2 Chronicles 19:4–8

We first see the reason why Jehoshaphat set judges over the people: “And Jehoshaphat dwelt in Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers.” The preaching or teaching of the Word of God, of obedience to the Commission to teach all nations, has as its end that many would come to know Christ the Lord: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach the gospel except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom. 10:13–15).

The judges appointed by king Jehoshaphat were to unite the people in righteousness, and so united to the Lord: “And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment.” If the Lord is not with the judges then the people perish under false rules. “Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord (wisdom) be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, not respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.”

“My brethren,” wrote James, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons” (James 2:1): “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that wears magnificent clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool” (2:2–3).

Faith is a marvelous gift, whereby we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believe that He shed His blood for our sins that in Him we have eternal life. This faith is in and of Christ. With “respect of persons,” dare we act in any other way than the way Christ has acted toward us? Faith unites us to Christ. Faith must, therefore, produce works consistent with Christ and His works. Peter opened his mouth and said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34–35).

Jehoshaphat continues to strengthen the faith of God’s people: “Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests; and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.” Teaching and sacrifice brought the people close to the Lord and His Word, and His marvelous grace in repentance and faith. Matthew Henry wrote: “The judges of this court were some of the Levites and priests that were most learned in the law, eminent for wisdom, and of approved integrity, and some of the chief of the fathers of Israel, peers of the realm, as I may call them, or persons of age and experience, that had been men of business, who would be the most competent judges of matters of fact, as the priests and Levites were of the sense of the law.” We ought to be faithful under Christ and His chosen Under-shepherds in the study of the Word of God and in coming to the table of the Lord’s Supper in a worthy manner, rejoicing in the grace of our Lord, through repentance and faith.

Discussion: Why were judges and teachers and priests appointed by Jehoshaphat?

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Charge is Given—2 Chronicles 19:9–11

Jehoshaphat continues to admonish those chosen to be servants of the Lord, to be a blessing to His great congregation of people: “And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with perfect heart. King David’s last words spoke of those who would rule, must rule justly: “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of the Lord”(2 Sam. 23:2–3). David knew that he ruled by the presence of the Spirit, to speak what the Spirit would have him speak, to know that without the Spirit there was no way of justice and truth. Those who serve the Rock of our salvation, those who are called under-shepherds, must look to Christ, know His Word, in obedience serve Him: “The elders which are among you I exhort, whom am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed; feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:1–4).

Jehoshaphat encourages them to deal with those who come to them for judgment, that they show wisdom and mercy along with the judgment: “And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgment, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.” There will be those whose trouble would be between family members. There will be questions of law and statutes of the Lord. The judges are to warn the people ‘not to transgress against the Lord;’ that they are to do those things which make them stronger in doing that which is righteous before God and to one another. Those who serve as judges (or elders) must do so with diligence and in the strength of the Lord.

Jehoshaphat urges the chief priest to rule over the people “in all matters of the Lord.” Zebadiah, “the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you.” Then the judges, priest and rulers hear these words of support: “Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.” Whatever our task may be in the home, congregation, or community; let it be done as to the Lord Jesus Christ: “O love the Lord, all ye his saints, for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord” (Psa. 31:23–24).

Discussion: How shall we serve the Lord?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.