Today’s passage: Psalm 82
Helpful thoughts:
- Verse 1 sets the stage for this psalm. God is set up as judge among all the world leaders (Little g “gods”).
- Little g “gods” in Hebrew can be used to refer to false idols or to human leaders like governors, kings, presidents, etc.
- In verses 2-7, God gives rebuke and instruction to the political leaders of the world.
- Leaders who walk in darkness (Ignorance and injustice) create instability for the people they are called to serve. (Verse 5)
Questions to consider:
- What is the God-given role of government (1 Peter 2:13-14)? If God is commanding governments to give justice to the weak and the fatherless, to maintain the right of the afflicted and destitute, and to free them from the hand of the wicked, what would it be considered if leaders ignored the helpless and helped the wicked?
- If everyone agreed with God on what “Justice” really is, we would be left to simply work on how best to help the helpless and provide justice for all. How has sin and rebelliousness made governing so difficult? Why can’t people even seem to agree on what justice should look like? Why is there instability in the world?
- How would the phrase, “God helps those who help themselves” hold up against this psalm, or other passages like Romans 5:6, or Isaiah 25:4? How would the mercy ministries of the church to the community be a picture of the Gospel to those who are in need, especially when their need is the result of their own sinful actions?