I said, “You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.” But you shall die like men. (Psalm 82:6-7)
In the previous devotion, we discussed the fact that God’s people are referred to as אלהים elohim — gods — and the reasons for it. In this devotion, we want to build upon this very interesting point and expound upon what it means to be God-like (or if you prefer, Godly). So in that vein of thought, it is important to remember something we have pointed out previously — the Hebrew term elohim is oftentimes translated as “judges” or “rulers.” For example, in regard to the laws of a bondservant, the Scripture says, “Then his master shall bring him to the judges [elohim]” (Exodus 21:6).
The point is this: rulers and judges are unique among men in that they are placed in a position to be “as God” when it comes to how they can affect the lives of others. When Moses was ordered to go to Pharaoh, it was determined that Aaron would serve as the spokesperson but that Moses would be “to him as God” (Exodus 4:16). It was not that he was to be revered as a god, but that he was to be God’s representative on earth, and as such, he was to speak and act according to God’s Will. Therefore, it is understood that when God ordained judges and rulers to govern His people, they were to be as God in the sense that they were to rule and judge honorably, righteously and with compassion — i.e. in the way God governs.
In Judaism it is presented that, though all men are fashioned in God’s image, righteous judges bear the closest resemblance to the Almighty. It is argued that, more so than most, the one who is given the power to alter the lives of men and does so in a compassionate and honorable way is as close to God as a son. Understanding that most of us will never sit on the bench to judge civil and criminal matters, we are all placed in a position to judge and rule someone. Whether as a parent or a pastor, all of us will govern someone even as others govern us.
That being so, remember that when we make decisions that will definitively affect someone else’s life, in a sense, we are in position to perform the Lord’s work — or not. So then, it is incredibly important that we approach every situation with careful consideration, prayer and an ear to hear what the Almighty would have us do. Keep in mind, though we may act as judge for a while, all of us are destined to die and stand before the Supreme Judge of the earth.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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