The God of Justice: 1 Kings #25. An exposition of 1 Kings 21:1-29. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, September 20, 2015.
Intro:
Do you ever find yourself frustrated by your faith? Do you find that sometimes what you believe conflicts with what see going on around you? That sometimes our “systems” seem to breakdown? You cannot always tie everything up in a neat package and put a nice bow on top and say, “There, everything fits.” Sometimes there are no answers. Sometimes we are left wondering why things happen the way they do. Why did that baby die? Why, after all that family has been through, did that father get cancer? How is it she got fired for doing the right thing? Do you ever find yourself agreeing with the skeptic who asks, “If God is (you fill in the blank) then how come ?” It is especially difficult when it comes to questions of justice and injustice. If God really is actively reigning over all things, why is it the wicked seem to get away with their unrighteousness? Why do the wicked prosper? Our text this evening deals with the question of justice. It is a story of greed, deception, power and murder and while justice ultimately is served we are left with questions. Our text is found in the 21st chapter of 1 Kings.
Text: 1 Kings 21:1-29
This is the story of Ahab and Naboth’s vineyard.
This is the text of R.G. Lee’s famous sermon, Pay Day Some Day.
I commend it to you, you can Google it.
This chapter is about the justice of God.
As we work our way through the chapter we will come to understand that…
Thesis: In a world marked by corruption and filled with injustice we must ultimately trust that the Judge of all the Earth will do what is right.
You cannot read the first 16 verses of this chapter without asking, “Where is God? Why doesn’t He do something?” It seems wickedness goes unchecked. Jezebel sets in motion a murderous plot, the city leaders and the courts are complicit in the scheme and an innocent man is murdered with the blessing and sanction of the nation. How is that possible? Why didn’t God intervene? Yes, we finally read in 1 Kings 21:17 that the word of the Lord came to Elijah but that seems a little late. It sure didn’t do Naboth any good and Ahab got what he wanted. I don’t now why God didn’t prevent this injustice. I do know that I have come to the conclusion, contrary to what many believe, that the Almighty does not owe me an explanation!
Ultimately I will have to say along with Abraham, “…Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” (Genesis 18:25)
I’ll have to trust in the words of Jesus, “And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?” (Luke 18:7)
While there remain unanswered questions I do want to draw three very important truths from our text.
- In this world you will have tribulation. (21:1-16)
- Vengeance is mine saith the Lord. (21:17-24)
- Even in judgment our God delights in showing mercy. (21:25-29)
Conclusion:
There is a lot that happens that I cannot explain.
There are questions I cannot answer.
But I do know this:
We can expect injustice in this life.
God will see that justice is done.
He delights to show mercy even in the midst of judgment.
So, in a world marked by corruption and filled with injustice we must ultimately trust that the Judge of all the Earth will do what is right.