Topical Bible: Judgments: Manifest the Righteous Character of God

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In the biblical narrative, judgments are a profound expression of God's righteous character. They serve as a means through which God reveals His holiness, justice, and moral order. Throughout Scripture, divine judgments are depicted as both corrective and punitive, aiming to uphold God's standards and bring about repentance and restoration.

Nature of Divine Judgments

God's judgments are inherently righteous, reflecting His perfect nature. In Deuteronomy 32:4, God is described as "The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This verse underscores the flawless and equitable nature of God's judgments, affirming that they are always in alignment with His character.

Purpose of Judgments

Judgments serve multiple purposes in the biblical context. They are a response to sin and disobedience, as seen in the account of the Flood (Genesis 6-9) and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). These events illustrate God's intolerance for sin and His commitment to purging evil from His creation.

Moreover, judgments are intended to lead people to repentance. In the prophetic literature, God often calls His people to return to Him, using judgments as a catalyst for spiritual renewal. For instance, in Ezekiel 18:30, God declares, "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall."

Judgments as a Reflection of God's Holiness

The holiness of God is a central theme in the Bible, and His judgments are a direct manifestation of this attribute. God's holiness demands that He cannot tolerate sin, and His judgments are a means of upholding His holy standards. Isaiah 5:16 states, "But the LORD of Hosts will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness."

Judgments and God's Covenant Relationship

In the context of God's covenant with Israel, judgments are often portrayed as a means of discipline. Hebrews 12:6 reminds believers, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives." This disciplinary aspect of judgment is intended to bring God's people back into a right relationship with Him, emphasizing His desire for their holiness and obedience.

The Eschatological Judgment

The Bible also speaks of a future, eschatological judgment, where God's righteous character will be fully revealed. In Revelation 20:12, John describes the final judgment: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books." This ultimate judgment underscores the comprehensive and final nature of God's justice.

Judgments and Redemption

While judgments are often severe, they are not devoid of hope. The redemptive work of Christ is central to understanding God's judgments. Through Jesus' sacrificial death, believers are spared from the ultimate judgment of sin. Romans 8:1 assures, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This highlights the grace and mercy inherent in God's character, even amidst His judgments.

In summary, judgments in the Bible are a profound expression of God's righteous character. They reveal His holiness, justice, and desire for a restored relationship with His creation. Through judgments, God upholds His moral order, calls for repentance, and ultimately points to the redemptive work of Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 9:14-16
For I will at this time send all my plagues on your heart, and on your servants, and on your people; that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 39:21
And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them.
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Daniel 9:14
Therefore has the LORD watched on the evil, and brought it on us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he does: for we obeyed not his voice.
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Library

The Intercourse of God and his Friend
... The whirlwind of temporal judgments makes no distinctions ... by doing what shall be
in manifest accord with ... God's punishments must be obviously righteous to have ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the intercourse of god and.htm

Modern Revivals.
... Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the ... or less degree, that will
be manifest in the ... shows the perfection of a righteous character, and enables ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /27 modern revivals.htm

Modern Revivals
... Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the ... or less degree, that will
be manifest in the ... shows the perfection of a righteous character and enables ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 27 modern revivals.htm

The Sixth vision "In Heaven"
... and they tell us that, in spite of the awful character of these ... The third reason
is the "righteous judgments" of God, which will then be made manifest. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision in heaven.htm

Characters Will be Disclosed, and Justice Awarded.
... on this account: suspends his judgments, and mitigates ... considerations, speak comfort
to the righteous, and terror ... of the former will ere long be made manifest. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xvi characters will be.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... and there is one event to the righteous and the ... no other season in which the divine
judgments toward the whole world have been so signally manifest as at ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses ...
... that pretended faith which does not manifest itself in ... and denounces upon them the
judgments of heaven ... God's impartial regard to a righteous character in both ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxiv general principles of.htm

Evidences Internal and Experimental.
... it lays broad and deep the foundations of a righteous character. ... statutes, and ye
shall keep my judgments and do ... deny Christ, it would at once manifest itself. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xii evidences internal and.htm

Solomon
... nations of earth to honor and glorify the name of God and to make manifest the beauty ...
Give the king Thy judgments, O God ... In his days shall the righteous flourish ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 1 solomon.htm

God's Barriers against Man's Sin
... Almighty power of Jehovah, so clearly manifest in the ... this time: the lord is righteous,
and I ... reproofs, against providences, mercies, and judgments, and still ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/gods barriers against mans sin.htm