Weightier matters of the Law - Judgement Study 5 – “Where is the God of judgement?” Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Qualities of the Anointed’s Rule Ps. 89:14 “Justice and judgment (mishpat) are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth (emeth) shall go before thy face.” Contrast with Joash Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement Joash – Matt. 23:34-39 A desolate House – Absence of morality. Cain – First murder. Joash – Last murder. (Hebrew Bible) Cp. record Luke 11:49-51 – “Required”. 2 Chron. 24 - Joash and Zechariah types. Judah bereft of morality – Temple forsaken. Zechariah killed – Prophecy of Messiah’s murder. Yahweh a swift witness – Poetic justice. Faith absent Mercy forgotten Justice abandoned Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

“It shall be required of this generation” 2 Chron. 24:22 Jehoiada – “Yahweh knoweth” Zechariah – “Yah hath remembered” Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Joash's Beginning and Poetic Justice In a bedroom in the Palace - 2 Chron. 22:11. 6 months old - totally dependent on others. Saved by two women from certain death. Brought up and protected by his uncle and aunt in the Temple. The only male survivor of David's house. Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Joash's End – Poetic Justice In a bedroom in the Palace. Sorely wounded - totally dependent on family and servants. Killed by the sons of two foreign women. Forsook and forgot his uncle's guidance and the Temple. Judged because he killed his own cousin in the Temple. Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement The Assassins – 2 Chron. 24:26 Zabad = “he endows” Shimeath = “annunciation”; “report” Ammonitess = “tribal” Moabitess = “of his father” Jehozabad = “Yahweh has endowed” Shimrith = “vigilant” Moabites and Ammonites excluded from Israel - Deut.23:3-6 - Because they did not show kindness to Israel. Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Exquisite Poetic Justice Consider the origin of Moab and Ammon - Gen.19:30-38: Lot forsook his uncle and guide He chose another way of life It did not prosper His house was left desolate He ended up in a cave (a bedroom) With two women (his daughters) Was made totally dependent on them Incest produced Moab and Ammon Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Where is the God of Judgement? Malachi’s admonition ignored 4 centuries later – Mal. 4:4 (mishpat). Mal. 4:5-6 - John/Elijah to remove Jacob’s shame – Isa. 29:22-24 (Why? v.21). Same problem - Mal. 2:17. Priest’s responsible for failure – Mal. 2:1-10. Deut. 33:8-11 – Levi’s heritage – Stood with God of judgement against own kith and kin. Ex. 32:25-29 – Reward for mishpat. Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

The High Priest and the Breastplate of Judgement Ex. 28:29 And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment (mishpat) upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before Yahweh continually. Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

“Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with the man (ish) thy holy one” U. & T. kept in pouch behind breastplate of mishpat – close to high-priest’s heart. Deut. 33:8 – Only place where Thummim before Urim. Thummim = “perfections”; plural of tome = completeness (idea of integrity). Urim – “lights”; illumination. Bore the integrity of Israel on his heart Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Yahweh a Swift Witness Mal. 2 - The past integrity of Levi compromised. Divorce and remarriage prevalent – Mal. 2:11-16. “Where is the God of judgement?” Swift witness against the corrupt and dishonest – Mal. 3:5. Primary fulfillment – Luke 16:13-18. Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Vindication of the Just Mal. 3:13-15 – The hard accusations of the wicked against God’s way. Mal. 3:16-17 – Strengthening the faithful and weaving Yahweh’s character into our own. Where is the God of judgement? Mal. 3:18 – The ‘return’ is near – “discern” – ra’ah – see. “thought” - chashab - to think, account, to plan, devise; root - to plait, weave. Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Job 29:14 “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment (mishpat) was as a robe and a diadem.” me-iyl - 28 occs. – first 10 of high-priest’s robe. tsaniyph (5 occs.) – turban, headdress – see use Zech. 3:5. A call to mimic the great Melchizedek High Priest Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Study 6 – “Yahweh loveth a cheerful giver” Next study (God willing) Study 6 – “Yahweh loveth a cheerful giver” Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement Heading Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement

Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement Study Summary Matt.23:34> and Luke 11 reflect on 2 Chron. 24 – Joash/Zechariah Joash taught by Jehoiada forsook Yahweh’s principles Poetic justice meted out – 2 Chron. 24 – last record Heb. Bible Mal.4:4 – Remember mishpat Mal. 2:17 – Explore context – abandon mishpat receive judgement Priests’ responsibility – Breastplate of judgement – History of Levi Marriage and divorce issue Swift witness against corrupt and dishonest – Mal. 3 The Lord’s witness against his generation – Luke 16 Vindication of just - Mal. 3 & 4 Weaving Divine character into our own – Mal. 3:16 Weightier Matters of the Law - Judgement