Righteous Judges Are A Moral Imperative For America!

If you've been paying attention to the lawlessness in our nation, then it can't have escaped your notice that those who have been elected or appointed to govern us have betrayed our trust. The list is long, but today I'm talking specifically about Judges who have broken laws and oaths; committed immoral misconduct; sidestepped the law for political biases; or behaved as activist judges while pursuing judicial overreach. Any or all of these indiscretions undermine the foundation of our national governance, unity, and security. 

As a Christian, I would like to think that our judicial system, comprised of judges and courts, are modeled after God's decision to appoint Judges over Israel in the Old Testament. But a closer look at the history in the Bible and the founding of our nation shows a lack of congruence. In the Old Testament, God sought after and appointed individuals who could be righteous leaders; rightly guiding their people through chaotic and volatile times. They were spiritual intercessors and deliverers of His messages to the people, leading them through their cycles of disobedience and rebellion, repentance and victory. They were oftentimes military commanders and intermediaries for peace. They prayed for the people and sought God's will in all decisions. These judicial appointees had to be men of truth who feared YHWH and hated coveting; champions of God's Law and Justice. 

One aspect of Old Testament judges that fascinates me is their role as military commanders. Whether Israel faced threats from external forces or internal chaos, their leadership role was to provide unity among the citizens and victory against oppressors. Their decisions often-times required courage, moral backbone, and Divine strategies that determined the fate of Israel and other nations, as well. The Bible Analysis website drives home the fact that the Judges of ancient Israel possessed a unique aspect in their governance style -- they intertwined faith [resulting in spiritual restoration] with their military actions for national survival. 

While Old Testament Judges were required to have faith in YHWH and His promises, while praying and seeking God's will for the common good of the people, there are no such stipulations or qualification required for our judges according to the U.S. Constitution. In fact, our recent history of judges who have violated their oaths of office [and the laws of this land!] through personal or political bias has been astoundingly obvious. 

Modern day judges take an oath whereby they "do solemnly swear (or affirm) they will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that they will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon them as [the office they were appointed or elected to] under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God." I think it has become glaringly apparent that they fear no repercussions if they choose to follow their own conscience [or that of powerful influences]. 

If only they contended for God like King Jehoshaphat in appointing judges in the nation of Judah. He placed all the judges in office, city by city, and said to them: Take heed what you do: for you judge not for man, but for YHWH, who is with you in the judgment... And he charged them, saying, This you shall do in the fear of YHWH, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 

As much as we like to say that our government is based on Christian principles, how can we believe that, when God's law requires judges to fear Him, while the Constitution bans the same qualification? Under Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution, the only requirement seems to be that judges are to be men and women of good behavior. But what is the Constitution's definition of "good behavior". If left up to men, the lack of a definitive guide for what good behavior is, it simply becomes a term left up to the discretion of the individual. Can we agree that Good Behavior can [and should] be defined only from the boundaries of God and His established morality? 

So, that brings me to this salient point ... We, as Americans, need to demand that our elected and appointed judges be kept to a standard of the law that meets God's moral guidelines and criteria. That means, as a society, we should no longer tolerate the circus we've seen over the last few years of prejudice, partiality, political discrimination, and flagrant misrule and mayhem in our legal system. We're better than this! Or, at least, we need to recognize that the direction we've come from and where we're headed indicates how far off the [narrow] path we are!

Who could have imagined, just 20 or 30 years ago, that our country would be experiencing a flood of millions of criminal and illegal people, resulting in innocent citizens being murdered and terrorized; many of whom are arrested but allowed to go free by activist judges?  And as writer, Jack Hibbs, has pointed out in his article on Harbinger's Daily, the state of Texas is the target of a scary Islamic movement that would see the creation of an Islamic city in which to establish Sharia law. Will this become a reality; two completely diametric models of governance? One in which King Jehoshaphat would be appalled? YHWH will definitely not be with this city in their judgments! As Hibbs writes, "Make no mistake, this is equivalent to the Old Testament establishment of "high places" of pagan worship centers".

So, if we consider ourselves a Christian nation, where are the Churches and the pastors? We've already seen the degradation of our nation through the laws that offend our God, having allowed abortion; marriages between same-sex partners; changing the genders of His created children; the creeping tolerance and excuses that leads to the acceptance of pedophilia [Hibbs reports that "yet again, California has lessened the laws against pedophilia"]. Where does it end? I'm afraid in judgment of America!

There are millions of Americans that are riding high on our recent political elections and appointments. But a political revival doesn't equal a moral and spiritual restoration, which is what we desperately need. In summary, I'd like to refer us to a study at biblehub.com regarding King Jehoshaphat's reign. After forming an unrighteous alliance with wicked King Ahab, Jehoshaphat is confronted by Jehu, the seer, for helping the wicked and loving those who hate God; actions that would invoke God's wrath and judgment. He travels throughout the kingdom of Judah, with the express purpose of bringing the people back to God through repentance. He appoints judges who will act with justice and the fear of God, without partiality or bribery, and emphasizing his commitment to righteousness, justice, and God's law.

It was his leadership and devotion to God that rescued Judah from God's judgment. He knew that repentance was necessary for his appointed judges to restore Israel back into God's grace. This nation needs that same understanding. But it's going to take a national embrace of repentance -- not just from the righteous citizens, but from the political leaders and the elected and appointed judges, as well. This nation may still be in the glow of what they perceive a political victory, but that's not enough to avoid God's wrath. 

We citizens must pray and cry out with intercession for the hearts of all Americans! Pray that God will raise up leaders who are willing to forego their personal power, influence, and wealth to return us to a nation that fears and reveres Jesus Christ! Pray that the pastors in the Churches are willing to be courageous in the pulpit, putting aside their reputations and luke-warm sermons, to confront the leaders as Jehu did to Jehoshophat. Let them be more concerned about offending God than offending the people in the pews. 

When we lack repentance as a nation, we worship ourselves, rather than our God who, I believe, founded this nation as a beacon of His love, moral character, and justice. We've got to re-establish God's moral laws, and it begins with moral judges dedicated to manifesting His righteous judgment. When, we as a nation, can rule from God's moral character, we need not fear God's wrath. Rather, like in 2 Chronicles 20, we will see our enemies destroy themselves.

2 Chronicles 19:5-7.     He [Jehoshaphat] appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and he said to the judges, "Be careful what you do, for you do not judge for man, but for the LORD who is with you in the matter of judgment. So now let the fear [reverent awe] of the Lord be on you [to keep you from making unjust decisions]; be careful in what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality, or acceptance of a bribe".

 

They Gather For Battle In The Valley of Decision

Back in 2016, I wrote a post sharing how God was showing me the Biblical prophecies of what was to come during "The End Times". I was seeing how the world economy, the Middle East, and the growing presence of Russia and China in the area were driving the foreign policies of the nations in the world. At the time, economists were pointing to oil as the driving factor that would cause petroleum-hungry nations to invade Israel in order to control their newly discovered oil fields. This blessing from God would make their production roughly equivalent to that of Saudi Arabia. In fact, the "great minds" of the time were asking if oil might not be "the hook in the jaw" that would pull nations out of the north to the Valley of Jezreel (Ezekiel 38:4).

Fast forward to October 7, 2023, as the world watched [and continues to watch] the horrific evil that has invaded Israel. Our gut reaction is to see this as a battle between Evil and God's Holy nation of Israel. But we must step back and see the 30,000 foot view of all that permeates this tragedy. Biblically, and prophetically, we probably all instantly think of the Gog and Magog war [prophesied in Ezekiel 38] that signals the End Time battle between YHWH and the Anti-Christ [and the nations who support him] who will gather together against Jerusalem. This battle/war will trigger the Lord's fierce anger in the defense of His people in Zion. We also think of Joel 3:14 ... Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.  

Now let's apply these prophesies to the unspeakable images that flashed across our screens in Israel this weekend. I will admit that I endured a sleepless night, crying out to God for Israel. I couldn't erase the images -- the innocent lives subjected to terror; those who were killed and for all those who will yet perish -- and the numbers keep rising. But the entire world needs to understand: this portends the wrath of God and it is real. God formed humanity to bring Him glory. He has set a holy and pure standard for mankind. But when the perfect Judge of the Universe looks upon those who rebel in wickedness and evil, He does not act in a reckless rage; or out of uncontrollable anger, a senseless fury, or an unjust vengeance. It is a precise and controlled response against those who belittle His Holiness and have sinned against Him without repentance. 

Prophetically, God endorses this statement in Ezekiel 38 when He confronts Gog, from the land of Magog. [Note: Gog could be a person, and Magog is the geographical land or territory where he lives. He could also be a "demonic prince" and Magog is the land he has been assigned by Satan]. God confronts this ruler of Magog, and says to its king, Gog: Are you he of whom I spoke in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel, who in those days prophesied for years that I would bring you against them? ... You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. 

There is an excellent series of articles on the website, christinprophecyblog.org that I recommend you read. Dr. Nathan E. Jones, Director of Internet Outreach at Lamb and Lion Ministries, is the author. Dr. Jones gives us a 30,000 foot view of this Gog and Magog war; a war that has had religious leaders and writers speculating as to the participants for hundreds of years. I will emphatically state that I am not qualified to give an expert opinion on the subject, but Dr. Jones's argument is worth reading and praying about. He contends that Ezekiel wrote 2,700 years ago, prophesying a time when the Lord would pull different nations down to Israel so He could destroy them and show the world that He protects Israel. The ancient nations that are prophesied in Ezekiel 38, are now known by their modern names ... Russia, Iran, and Turkey, among them.  

That is definitely interesting and what I imagine most Western Christians will agree with. But there's a bigger picture that we need to see. While I believe that the whole world will see that God intends to protect His land, Israel, I also believe that God brings this Gog and Magog war against Israel to bring the nation to a saving knowledge of Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah. You see, we need to understand that Israel, as it stands today, represents God's Chosen People. But, they do not yet walk in their true identity. 

Politically, culturally, and spiritually, the people of Israel are divided, just as we are in this nation. Allegations of corruption in the government; rampant moral decline in their society; and ridicule and persecution exists against the Messianic Jewish believers by their orthodox brothers in the Jewish faith. In many ways, the modern nation of Israel is following the rebellious ways of the Old Testament nation of Israel. Whether the recent [and on-going] events in Israel reflect the beginning of the Gog and Magog war, Dr. Jones wants us to comprehend that there will be a seven-year time period known as the Tribulation that will come upon the earth  following this War. We can be sure that God will make it so that people will know that there is a God. They will have to choose Him, or not. They will have the choice to choose God, or Satan through the Antichrist.    

This impending war will happen in the valleys of Israel. For myself, I'm not so caught up in which valley(s) -- whether the Valley of Jezreel or Jehoshophat -- as I am in discerning that people will need to make a decision... multitudes and multitudes will need to decide! Not only will the Gentile and Muslim nations need to make a decision regarding Jesus, but the inhabitants of Israel, too. Many people romanticize the Israeli people, thinking that because they are God's chosen, they worship Him and are followers of Yeshua. But for the last 2,000 years the Jewish people have been mostly at odds with their God. Like many in America, they are mostly Secular Humanists. But as God has always done, He is raising up a true remnant in Israel that will lead the world to the knowledge of the One True God. 

If this war in Israel turns out to be the Biblical End Times War prophesied By Ezekiel, we are seeing the wicked armies of Satan carrying out his orders against the Israeli citizens. And the world will soon see that Yeshua, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah will not abandon His people and He will orchestrate a miraculous victory for tiny Israel. We will see that God will use the evil perpetrated in Israel to bring His remnant to salvation! They will call on the Name of the Lord and be saved to witness to the rest of the lost world! The heart of God's people will turn back to their God. 

The events prophesied in the Bible are definitely coming together! We can see the coalition of nations coming against Israel, and their armies joining forces to destroy the Israeli people. We see the hatred and wickedness that fuels their evil hearts, and we cry for the suffering of the people in God's holy land. But does the world understand that God will not let evil go unanswered? He will soon step into world affairs and destroy the invaders. The Bible tells us that an earthquake will shake all of Israel, and the armies of Satan will suffer pestilence and bloodshed; torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur. The whole world will know that God will defend Israel! 

So, when I say that "they gather for battle in the Valley of Decision", I mean that in reality and prophetically. Every nation and people will look upon the coming battles with trembling, and will answer for their contribution to the slaughter we are witnessing in the Holy Land. And everyone will have to make a decision ... do you say "Yes" to the Ancient of Days, the God of Israel? Or do you side with the rebellious ones whose fate lies in His hands? Will you pray for the innocent lives lost in Israel; for their families; and that they will be restored to righteousness through knowing Jesus Christ as their Savior? Will you join with me to pray for those whose hate has been stored up and incited by the Prince of Darkness whose jealousy of Israel has led to this conflagration? Will you pray that these haters will meet the Holy and Righteous One who loved them enough to die for them -- yes, even them -- IF they will repent and turn from their evil ways? Will you join with me in praying, "Lord, the world needs You! Come, Lord Jesus"!

Ezekiel 38:23     So [then] I will show My greatness and My holiness and make Myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.