‘Shall Not the Judge…Do Right?’

‘Shall Not the Judge…Do Right?’

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?”

Genesis 18:25

Before us lies an insight into the Character of God, in the Person of Christ. Here is one of the Christophanies of the Old Testament. It is Christ, in pre-incarnate form, appearing to Abraham, first to foretell the birth of Isaac, and then to inform Abraham of His intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham is keenly aware that Lot, his nephew, along with his family, lives in Sodom. He, therefore, makes an appeal for their lives with the text which lies before us. The closing line of that verse is our primary contemplation. Let us explore the various implications of what it means for Christ, Who is the ‘Judge of all the earth’ to ‘do right.’ At the outset, let us consider that it is not nearly so remarkable that Christ would judge Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness, as it is that He would be so long-suffering in withholding His Wrath. One of the most outstanding characteristics of Christ as, ‘The Judge of all the earth,’ is that He tempers His Judgment with His Patience, His Mercy, and His Love. This draws us to Him in an irresistible way. We acknowledge His Moral Rectitude, but also find this, combined with these other qualities, to produce an Altogether Lovely Person. Even as, ‘The Judge of all the earth,’ Christ is an overwhelmingly attractive Character. We see in Him, the One Who will, in every way, do that which will do us the most good, and will bring Him the most Glory.

High King of Heaven,
we rejoice that You rule, and reign over all of the affairs of men.
We praise You that You will infallibly do right,
and ever remain the Right Royal Judge,
and Everlasting Savior.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning.