Our God is a God of justice. (Psalms 98:9, Psalm 37:6, Psalm 9:7-8)
But sometimes we apply this standard of “fairness” to God, that I’m not sure is there.
In reading through 2 Kings, I saw much idolatry over the course of many kings. Apparently it got so bad that they didn’t even know about YHWH any longer, just that there was a temple for Him.
When Josiah was king, Hilkiah, a high priest, found the Book of the Law and it was read to the king. He tore his clothes and had the priest immediately seek council with God. His answer is “Because they have made offerings to other gods…my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.” (2 Kings 22:8, 2 Kings 22:11-13, 2 Kings 22:17)
Was that fair? They didn’t know, right?
Even though Josiah destroys the idols and alters, God’s wrath is eventually poured out. Why? Because He is God and He is just. It was their responsibility to pass God’s commandment from generation to generation and keep it close to their hearts. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
So was it fair? Did they, like older generations see Moses talking with God, or have kings who walked with the Lord. Did they walk across the dry bed of the Red sea or even the Jordan? Did they sun stand still over them, or a city wall fall without attack? No, but they had the Book of the Law, which clearly outlines disobedience and its consequences.
Now, why is this important? Because God is also a God of grace and mercy. Two things that seemingly contrast, but in God’s perfect will work together through Jesus. We are just like Israel. We turn our hearts to idols and sacrifice our time, health, energy, money etc… God would be fully justified in imparting His wrath on us, but Jesus came and took the righteous wrath on our behalf.
Jesus takes the punishment. That doesn’t sound too fair either. But it does sound like grace, and it is perfectly just, thereby fulfilling both parts of God’s nature.(Not to say that completely explains God and his nature.)
So is God fair? Yes and no. In the sense of grace saving you from punishment? No. In the sense of Justice as the standard of fairness? Yes. These two don’t really have to fight, if one defines the other, just like the law being fulfilled in conjunction with grace.
Do I make sense, or have I completely missed it? If you comment, please, be fair.
