The Justice of God – Psalm 99
The God spoken of in Psalm 99 is the God of all; ruling over the universe, might in all His ways, and fiercely just. The God revealed to the Hebrew prophets and in the life of Jesus cares immensely for how those created in his image are treated.
THE POSITION OF GOD IN OUR CULTURE
Position 01: God’s Reign
“The Lord reigns, let the people tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!” –Psalm 99:1
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” – Amos 5:24
Amos is considered a “minor prophet of the Bible” that covers a time when Israel experienced economic advancement that led to significant social injustice.
Position 02: God’s Greatness
“The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!“ – Psalm 99:2-3
Zion was a city of refuge if you will… a city of protection against the evils of the world… safe space.
Position 03: God’s Justice
“The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!” – Psalm 99:4-5
THE JUSTICE OF GOD IN THE BIBLE
“Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.” – Psalm 99:6
God uses Moses, a product of injustice, to OVERTHROW AN EMPIRE BUILT ON SLAVERY.
God uses Aaron as an ALLY OF THE PEOPLE AND ACTIVIST AGAINST OPPRESSION.
God uses Samuel, who even under the umbrella of monarchy, deeply associated with kings even, REFUSED TO ABUSE POWER WHEN HE HAD A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITIES TO DO SO.
“God is a just God who challenges us to: learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s case.” - Isaiah 1:17
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: THE WAY OF GOD IN US
Seek God
They called to the Lord…– Psalm 99:6Follow God
“and he answered them. In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; they kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them. O Lord our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.”
–Psalm 99:6-8Worship God
“Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!” –Psalm 99:9
