The Lord Rises in Majesty

After a judging scandal in women’s figure skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics, an investigation was launched into the sport’s judging practices. Independent research found bias in most judges’ judgment, especially toward skaters from their own country. Though instructed to adjudicate the performances of all athletes impartially, judges routinely award extra points to their homeland representatives.

When the Lord comes in judgment, He too will distinguish His own from those who are not His own. This is not improper bias. God’s judgment is an extension of His perfect glory and holiness. He will judge in righteousness when He is exalted (vv. 5, 22). The foe too great for Israel will meet his demise. God’s words, “Now will I arise” (v. 10), will be welcomed with excitement among God’s people but met with trembling by their enemies (v. 14).

The descriptions of “burned to ashes,” “set ablaze,” “consuming fire,” and “everlasting burning” (vv. 12, 14) remind us of the final end of the enemies of Christ. This is the other side of the beauty of our King and the majesty of Christ. He will come to us as our gracious Savior; He will come to His enemies as the fearsome Judge, the accusing Lawgiver, and the warring King (v. 22).

The Lord’s judgment will not be like the cavalry in a cowboy movie that rides in to save the day. Instead, it will be analogous to a top corporate law firm, the Supreme Court, and military superpower aligning against a small gang of teenagers who are guilty of a crime spree, have no legal representation, and are out of weapons and ammunition. Both gang and town will see the glory of the kingdom of righteousness. They—and we—will see the beauty of Christ in its fullness.

Pray with Us

In conclusion of our prayer time for Moody Distance Learning, pray for Christian Martinsen, who provides online mentoring for MDL’s regional classrooms, and Cal Locketti, who oversees modular courses for MDL’s graduate programs.

BY Dr. Eric C. Redmond

Dr. Eric C. Redmond serves as a professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and as associate pastor of adult ministries at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Ill. He is married to Pam and they have five children. He is the author of Say It!  Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition (Moody Publishers), Where Are All the Brothers? Straight Answers to Men's’ Questions about the Church (Crossway), a commentary on Jonah in the Christ-Centered Exposition Series (B&H Publishers), and a study guide on Ephesians in the Knowing the Bible series (Crossway).