CHAPTER #6

Divinely Empowered Civil Justice

(i.e. The Kingdom of God)

“So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness. And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.” – 2 Samuel 6:12-22

The Anatomy of The Church as a Civilization

The Anatomy of the Church in the Old Testament

Among all The Church of God, which was, in other words, the Nation of Israel, God had established the grounds whereby the knowledge of God and the Law might be passed from generation-to-generation. First and foremost, this began in the home, but, by-and-by, this was a situation of national security. Each and every individual home was the smallest entity where this began, with consequences well-told. Expressing this, the palmist of Psalm 78 recalled the Law to note the gravity of its significance, saying,

“I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that He hath done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a Law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: THAT THEY MIGHT set their hope in God, and NOT FORGET the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.” – Psalm 78:2-8

In each and every home, therefore, responsibility was thus reckoned. It was assumed, according to the Law, that the hearts of every Parent belonged to the Lord, therefore they were compelled in the righteous cause of God in Parenting (their hearts are apparent in Prov. 10:1, 5, 17:21, 25, 23:15-21). Parents who were moved with holy fear, persuaded their children of their personal convictions concerning God’s Threatenings. Through the Law, God gave Parents instructions to keep and promises to look for. Thereby, there was a sure means for every Parent to restrain the depravity of their children from its awful crash-course into the wrath of God. The Book of Proverbs was written to the civilization of Israel that they might behold The Threatenings of God. Foremost of any other Book, Parents and children were personally addressed therein. Every child’s soul was depicted to be on a course of certain death unless the Parents, like Civil Justice, interrupted the course of sure destruction by way of chastisement (not chastisement alone, but comfort and admonition as well). This can be called, in other words, Parental Justice [see Proverbs 3:12, 13:24, 19:18, 22:6, 15, 23:13-14, 29:15, 17]. Parental Justice is the first avenue by which God confronted the sin of newborn Israelite children. The Lord, being gracious, became the Monarch of every heart to parent every home (i.e. through regenerated Parents), so that the children would, ideally, be converted in the latter end (Prov. 4:1-15, 7:1-4, 22:6).

Children must be taught right and wrong by their Parents, just as their Parents were taught by the King, the Levites, the Law, and God, The KING Transcendent. If a child was left to do what was right in his own eyes, “the end thereof is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12). This is the course of natural depravity for all humanity, not just children. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12). Therefore, when it was written, “foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Prov. 22:15), we can understand that this “foolishness” was, namely, what was “right and wrong” naturally speaking, in the ordinary human mind, but the child could be led “FAR” from this course of destruction through the help of God in Spirit-led parenting (i.e. “the rod of correction”)!

Children who were thus exercised became foolishness-free; in other words, foolishness was being driven from them (Prov. 22:6). This means that they were becoming wise by fearing God, a fear which began to be expressed, firstly, in a fear of their Parents. As the children matured intellectually, the righteous fear of their Parents joined their hearts to God in the very same way. God’s method of parenting was promised to succeed in this way; thus, as the children beheld the righteousness of God in their Parents, they beheld the righteousness of God transcending their Parents. Simply put, as they saw their Parents they saw God. As they knew their Parents they were drawn to desire the knowledge of God. The hope and future of Israel was nourished in the home, through the hands and feet of godly parenting. Therefore, in Israel, the heart of a child who was being drawn by the Spirit of God, was drawn thereto by the bond of Spiritual Authority. This principle was evident in the upbringing of the man, Solomon, used to write The Book of Proverbs.

“…she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.” – 2 Sam. 12:24

Solomon was the beloved and chosen son of David, well instructed by his father. By asserting this, Solomon behooved the people to reckon him as an authority, as it is written, “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my Law. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live” (Prov. 4:1-4). Therefore Solomon, who had grown to the stature of a father, spoke to the sons of Israel likewise, “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Prov. 1:8). The promises of God’s saving grace and spiritual protection were directed down this Divinely ordained avenue, Parents-to-children. If this avenue was successfully fixed, Parents-to-children, it would result in the salvation of all Israelites, children-to-God. Speaking of this, Solomon said, “My son, IF thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding…THEN shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Prov. 2:1-5). The knowledge of God must be sought after to be found, for it was hidden. That which was hidden to flesh is revealed by the Spirit of God, and guidance thereto would come through the avenue of Spiritual Authority. Therefore, according to The Book of Proverbs, the courses of salvation and damnation were depicted in relationship to the obedience or defiance of Spiritual Authority.

Salvation ·  “the way of good men” – Prov. 2:20 ·  “the paths of the righteous” – Prov. 2:20 ·  “the path of the just is as the shining light” – Prov. 4:18 ·  “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise” – Prov. 13:20 ·  “abideth among the wise” – Prov. 15:31 ·  “he that heareth reproof getteth understanding” – Prov. 15:32 ·  “the way of understanding” – Prov. 9:6

Damnation ·   “the way of the evil man” – Prov. 2:12, 4:14 ·    “the path of the wicked” – Prov. 4:14 ·    “walk in the ways of darkness” – Prov. 2:13 ·   “neither will he go unto the wise” – Prov. 15:12 ·    “a companion of fools” – Prov. 13:20 ·   “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul” – Prov. 15:32 ·    “seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not” – Prov. 14:6

You see, my reader? If a daughter of Israel departed from God it could be said of her that she, “forsaketh The Guide of her youth, and forgetteth the Covenant of her God”, and, thus, “her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto death” (Prov. 2:17-18). Why? This “death” was not merely spiritual. It was physical because in Israel, God was the KING of a physical Kingdom in a geographic region of the physical world. According to God, whores must physically die. It was written, “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel” (Deut. 23:17). Therefore, in a spiritual and physical way, the Lord “keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints” in His Kingdom (Prov. 2:8). You see, God established salvation by households, and the parents of households which forsook the Lord were cursed, overthrown, and unable to stand, being ordained to trouble, evil, and destruction. God Almighty, The KING, made sure of this. It was written,

“The curse of the LORD is in the House of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.” – Prov. 3:33

“The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the House of the righteous shall stand.” – Prov. 12:7

“The House of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.” – Prov. 14:11

“The LORD will destroy the House of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.” – Prov. 15:25

“He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own House; but he that hateth gifts shall live.” – Prov. 15:27

“Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his House.” – Prov. 17:13

“The righteous man wisely considereth the House of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.” – Prov. 21:12

God was intimately involved in the spiritual and physical progress of every Household in Israel. Thus, “In the House of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble” (Prov. 15:6). Again, I say, God made sure of this. The Almighty was the transcendent KING of Israel who walked among them, yea, in every House and among every family. By fearing God, Israel received wisdom and every House was established. “Through wisdom is an House builded; and by understanding it is established” (Prov. 24:3). Even so, “Every wise woman buildeth her House: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands”, because the wise were in right-relationship with God and the foolish were not (Prov. 14:1). In this way, the paths of wisdom, humility, and survival in Israel were made ever so clear. For example,

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” – Prov. 3:1-10 

Perhaps now, my reader, you are seeing Israelite salvation as it pertained to the grass roots of every Household. With all these scriptures in mind, my reader, I ask you: What happened if individual Households in Israel were given over to wickedness? Taking a wider and holistic look at Israelite civilization under God’s Government as Personal KING, our eyes expand from individual Households to individual Cities, from Parental Justice to Civil Justice.

Concerning individual Cities of Israel, it was written,

“When it goeth well with the righteous, the City rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.” – Prov. 11:10

“Scornful men bring a City into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.” – Prov. 29:8

At the success of Civil Justice (i.e. “when the wicked perish”), the City rejoiced in salvation (Prov. 11:10)! At the neglect of Civil Justice, a City was brought into a snare of God’s wrath (Prov. 29:8). Why? When scornful men were left alive, their wickedness would spread from individual Households to neighbors, until the City and Nation was filled with the leaven thereof. The LORD was very explanatory of this progression of evil in the scriptures so that all men might take heed. For example,

“An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. When it goeth well with the righteous, the City rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. By the blessing of the upright the City is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” – Prov. 11:9-14

In the passage above we see, firstly, the destruction of a neighbor, and it was by the mouth of a hypocrite (Prov. 11:9). We see, secondarily, the overthrowing of a City, and it was by “the mouth of the wicked” (Prov. 11:11). Oh, the fatal and destructive progress of “a little leaven”! My reader, “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (1 Cor. 5:6)? This destruction can and WOULD SPREAD from Household to neighbor and neighbor to neighbor, until a tumult of wicked persons did multiply themselves and the City was overthrown. This circumstance should not ever exist, lawfully and ideally, according to the scriptures, when and if the citizens, Officers, Princes, and King of Israel were Divinely Empowered to successfully carryout Civil Justice, but if the Princes who ruled the individual cities failed to execute Civil Justice… the City would fall! This is according to what was written, “For the transgression of the Land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged” (Prov. 28:2). You see, when a brutish Prince failed to execute Civil Justice, the state of the City was NOT prolonged. History repeated itself. The grim scene can be observed time and time again. Beloved King David told the story, “The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted” (Psalm 12:8)! How did it happen? David explained,

“Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” – Psalm 12:1-4

As you can see here, yet again, the mouth of the wicked was overthrowing the City (i.e. the mouth of wickedness was leavening the civilization, neighbor to neighbor), but the Spirit of God forewarned, “The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things…”! How? The means by which God would normally and ordinarily destroy the tumult of wickedness would be, ideally, the operation of Civil Justice – that is, IF the King was a man after God’s own heart. It was the duty of the King to appoint Princes to rule cities and provinces, and the King who ruled the Princes did thereby rule the nation. Therefore, it was expected of the King that he would extinguish any tumult of wickedness arising within various cities or provinces by judging the Princes over those areas (taking no bribe and respecting no person). On this regard it was written, “The King by judgment establisheth the Land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it” (Prov. 29:4). Therefore God did, ideally and scripturally, by means of the King, cut short the days of delinquent princes. “The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days” (Prov. 28:16). Ideally and according to scripture, not only was every Household of Israel called to be holy but the King’s Court and Government, also, must be entirely pure (Prov. 14:35, 16:12-13, 22:10-12, 24:7 25:4-5). With this condition fulfilled, every Officer of every branch of Government in Israel would be Divinely Empowered to execute Civil Justice with impeccable exactitude. Impeccable exactitude, I say, …why? Because in Israel, God was KING!

In Israel God was KING, first and foremost. Before an earthly King was ever set up, God was KING. When an earthly King was finally requested by the people, God said to Samuel the prophet, “they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me, that I should reign over them” (1 Sam. 8:7). Samuel rehearsed the matter before the people of his day, and said, “And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a King shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your King” (1 Sam. 12:12). Thus the Lord said to Israel, “ye have this day rejected your God” (1 Sam. 10:19). Considering all these things, dear reader, we can understand that God is the KING of Kings, and more immediately and especially He is the KING of the King in Israel whom He did allow to be set up in Government. Long after the days of Saul, David, Solomon, and throughout all the Kings of Israel and Judah thereafter, the ark (God’s Kingly Throne) still abode in the Land… that is, until the Babylonian Captivity. Even after this, in the hour of Israel’s restoration through Ezra and Nehemiah, the Lord said, “I am a Great KING, saith the LORD of hosts, and My Name is dreadful among the heathen” (Mal. 1:14)!

According to the Law, Kings were to implement the rule of God Almighty in Israel, like Samuel. Men were to be Kings, yes, but their Office was to be possessed and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and thereby God was KING in truth. King David (a ruler who did implement this Divine glory) freely confessed, “The Lord said unto my Lord”, and it was for good reason (Psalm 110:1). So let us understand, also, that from the days of Moses to Samuel God was KING, and His Rule was implemented, firstly, through Spirit-filled Prophets (Ex. 19:9, 1 Sam. 7:16), secondarily, through Princes/Elders (Num. 1:16, 11:16-17, 25-26, Deut. 1:15), and thirdly, through Levitical Judges. Also, from the days of Saul to the Captivities, God’s Rule was implemented, firstly, through Kings (Deut. 17:14-20), secondarily, through Spirit-filled Prophets (2 Chron. 20:20, Amos 3:7), thirdly, through Princes/Elders (Prov. 28:2, Eccl. 10:17), fourthly, through Priests and Levitical Judges (Deut. 17:8-13, 1 Chron. 23:2, 4, 2 Chron. 30:22, Neh. 8:1-12). There were many different seasons in which God’s ordained method of Government decayed, thus inferior manifestations of God’s Rule did intermittently mark the ages, but in seasons of revival - the KING, King, and Kingdom of Israel flourished in worldwide fame and glory!

Such times were, for example, the days of King David and King Solomon. Through The Book of Proverbs, we can see the learning of Solomon, The Wise, at such a time when God’s Rule was gloriously manifest for all to behold. Solomon understood the fear of the Lord: namely that in Israel, God was KING! Therefore Solomon continually wrote about the supremacy of the Holy Spirit in all matters of Government. Solomon walked before the LORD in friendly communion, friend-to-Friend. While sitting upon the highest point of authority in Israel, Solomon looked up and saw Another Ruler who was HIGHER. From the royal Throne, Solomon raised his eyes upward to see the KING of Kings transcending over the whole realm of what the nations called, “Solomon’s Kingdom”. Thus, in The Book of Proverbs, Solomon preached what he saw! Solomon was compelled so to do because of the glory that he did see, namely, the Divine Government of God! My reader, hear ye him… 

Divine Government · “the LORD weigheth the spirits” – Prov. 16:2 · “The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.” – Prov. 17:3 · “Every way of man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” – Prov. 21:2 · “The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.” – Prov. 20:12 · “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” – Prov. 20:27 · “The LORD hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil” – Prov. 16:4 · “Many seek the Ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.” – Prov. 29:26 · “The horse is prepared against the Day of Battle: but safety is of the LORD.” – Prov. 21:31

Is it any wonder why the psalmist declared, “Except the LORD build the House, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the City, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Ps. 127:1)? It was for good reason that Solomon said, “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD” (Prov. 21:30). Solomon walked with God as the beloved son of David, a man and King after the Lord’s own heart. Thus, being thereby instructed, Solomon told the glory of it all! Solomon’s Proverbs do historically recount a personal testimony of what happened, and, glory to God, Israel was filled with a heavenly vision of how God was KING! Being thereto made to fear, Solomon taught others to fear. Songs bounded forth from Mount Zion and filled Israel with the words, “Yet have I set My KING upon My Holy Hill of Zion” (Ps. 2:6)! In later times, and furthermore, bounding forth from the pinnacle of heathen power came the knee-bowing confession, “I blessed the MOST HIGH, and I praised and honoured HIM that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and HIS KINGDOM is from generation to generation” (Dan. 4:34), from none other than King Nebuchadnezzar himself! As you can see, the King of the world in his time could not refrain to speak of the KING of Kings! If such a testimony as this was spoken from the mouth of God’s enemies, how much more should we hearken to God’s friends? Speaking of the commandments of God, Moses said, “Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath GOD so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon Him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this Law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons…” (Duet. 4:6-9). Shall we not take heed?

For the majority of Solomon’s life he did as the Lord had commanded through Moses, and he, being nourished under the parenting of King David, became a preacher to the nations who flocked to hear the word. Being dignified and famous above every earthly King in his time, Solomon gave glory to the KING of Kings! For Solomon’s Proverbs abode not in Israel, alone, but in all the earth (1 Kings 4:29-34)! Let us therefore take heed, my reader. Let us consider The Proverbs of Solomon which filled Israel with value superseding every earthly treasure. Let us take heed because, shockingly, Solomon professed Divine Empowerment for the obtaining of Divine Promises, as a channel under God’s Divine Government!

Divine Empowerment · “A Kings heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.” – Prov. 21:1 · “A Divine sentence is in the lips of the King: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment” – Prov. 16:10 · “A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are His work.” – Prov. 16:11 · “Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?” – Prov. 20:24 · “the answer of the tongue is from the LORD” – Prov. 16:1 · “thy thoughts shall be established” – Prov. 16:3 · “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps” – Prov. 16:9 · “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” – Prov. 19:21 ·  “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.” – Prov. 16:33 · “In the light of the King’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.” – Prov. 16:15 · “The King’s wrath is as the roaring of the lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.” – Prov. 19:12 ·  “The fear of a King is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.” – Prov. 20:2 · “A King that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.” – Prov. 20:8 ·  “A wise King scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.” – Prov. 20:26

What a profound and glorious vision! A vision which the heathen were made to marvel at (Ex. 9:16, Deut. 28:10, Josh. 4:24, 1 Sam. 4:7-8)! Proverbial Truths which all nations were forced to acknowledge and admire (1 Kings 4:29-34)! Who could deny that there was a God in Israel? None could. No, not when God was ideally and scripturally, according to the Covenant, having His way with the people of Israel (1 Kings 8:42-43). Hereby we can see that through The Book of Proverbs, Solomon declared to the world “The Kingdom of God!” …not his own Kingdom. He declared that in Israel, God was KING! In Israel God Ruled! Thus Solomon’s majesty and rule did shine as a reflection from a Greater Source!

That which was declared worldwide by mighty signs and wonders, by great glory and fame, was first proclaimed within every home of Israel, Parents-to-children, in every City and Province, Princes-to-people, in the whole Nation and Land, King-to-Princes! Also, and furthermore, with Prophets and Levites making their circuits throughout the Land, with local Officers and Spirit-compelled civilians sprinkled abroad, according to scripture, preaching was heard at The Gate of every City, in the chief place of concourse, filling the Land and Nation full of the knowledge of God! While under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Solomon called these many voices One Voice: The Voice & Cry of Wisdom.

“Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the City she uttereth her words…” – Proverbs 1:20-21

“Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the City, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.” – Proverbs 8:1-4

“Wisdom hath builded her House, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the City, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.” – Proverbs 9:1-6

The word of God was effectively sounded abroad. It was shouted with voices lifted up like trumpets (Isa. 58:1), with urgency proportionate to the eminency of death, declaring the alarm of Divine threatenings and inescapable justice! Every ear heard. The people knew that Israel was “The Kingdom of God”, not of man. They knew that the earthly King who ruled over Israel was an instrument in the hand of the real KING, God Almighty. In other words, because of the KING of Kings the people of Israel feared the King. Solomon told the story well and Israel was astonished to hear it!

v  God Almighty’s prerogative to execute justice so that Israel remained holy.

·      “For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” – Lev. 11:45

·      “The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.” – Psalm 99:1-5

·      “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the Presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.” – Psalm 68:1-3 [see Numbers 10:35-36]

 

v  King Solomon’s personal testimony (under inspiration) depicting the Divine prerogative of justice.

·   Every Man: “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He pondereth all his goings.” – Prov. 5:21, “He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth His ways shall die.” – Prov. 19:16

·   Every Household: “For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. The curse of the LORD is in the House of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.” – Prov. 3:32-35, “The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the House of the righteous shall stand.” – Prov. 12:7

·   Every City: “Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the City.” – Eccl. 7:19, “By the blessing of the upright the City is exalted…” – Prov. 11:11, “Scornful men bring a City into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.” – Prov. 29:8 [“Blessed shalt thou be in the City, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.” – Deut. 28:3, “Cursed shalt thou be in City, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.” – Deut. 28:16]

·   The Whole Nation: “That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the Land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.” – Prov. 2:20-22, “The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened…The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inherit the earth.” – Prov. 10:27, 30

·   Every Judgment: “[The LORD] keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints.” – Prov. 2:8

·   The Preparation of All Justice: “Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.” – Prov. 19:29

·   The Conclusion of All Uprising: “The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.” – Prov. 14:19

This is a staggering vision indeed! Did not the Lord say, “I am a Great KING” (Mal. 1:14)! You may wonder, my reader, how God fulfilled such a vision exactly. When and if Israel was ruled by God so that these glorious ultimatums of justice were fulfilled, what would it look like? We must understand, firstly, that God reigned in Ultimate, Sovereign, and Transcendent power! This means that He did not merely reign over all Israel, He reigned within every Israelite! Such a rich and glorious vision had a rich explanation, therefore let us allow the man, Solomon, who was rich in wisdom, to explain via The Book of Proverbs. Our study will continue in this order: