Continuing our discussion of the LORD standing up in judgment with the experts and rulers of our corrupted time, and this being His proving in/from Whom His voice/counsel is heard. We will begin today with the specific statement regarding this point found in Isaiah 3, “13 The LORD stands up to plead, and stands to judge the people. 14 The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for you have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.”
The original Hebrew text paints a much more detailed picture of this event. The first part of the statement actually says the LORD takes His position to contend in a controversy. The words translated “stand up” and “to plead” are natsab, meaning to station; and riyb or ruwb, literally meaning to toss, as in grapple. It is mostly used figuratively, as in to wrangle, as to hold a controversy, (by implication) to defend. What we see is the LORD stationing Himself in a fixed position, and setting Himself there to defend it. The position is in upholding His standard and counsel in establishing us by/in Covenant and Constitution.
The passage goes on to declare this “stand” is to “judge” the “people.” Here the word “stand” if from the word ‘amad, meaning to stand, in the sense of having stationed Himself therein continuing. The word “judge” is from diyn, or duwn, meaning to rule, as in to judge the law, to issue a ruling in the afore mentioned controversy. The word “people” is from the word ‘am, meaning a congregated group, and here specifically the house of the promise (The Houses of God, church and state).
Next we read, “The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for you have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.”
In this case “enter into judgment” means the LORD will enter (with) His verdict against the accused. The word “enter” is from the Hebrew bow’, meaning to come, as the judge returning to the courtroom to give His verdict. The word “judgment” here is from mishpat, literally meaning a verdict pronounced judicially. In this we therefore see the verdict is pronounced against the “ancients” and “princes” who rule over these “houses.”
The entire picture is seen from a different but similar view when the same Hebrew word zaqen, translated “ancients,” is used in Psalms 105:22. There it is used to describe Joseph’s trial and his being proven by the word of the LORD. Those knowing the story know Joseph is the one who had been separated from His brothers after they sold him into slavery. We know it was because he had a dream wherein he saw the sun, moon and the star all bowing to him. We know this dream as telling of the sun and moon as the governments of church and state, and the stars as those having their positions in fixed positions in heaven with the LORD.
We know Joseph was cast into prison after being falsely accused and there he was, by the talent and Spirit guidance the LORD had given him, able to discern the meanings of things others were unable to understand.
The Psalm describes it as his being “tried” by the word of the LORD. It chronologically says the imprisonment was until the word came, the word here “came” is the same word bow’ above translated as “enter.” The word translated “word” is dabar, literally meaning a matter as spoken of. It is telling of the LORD again issuing his verdict in the matter/case at hand, and doing so though His word in/by a man. This is how the LORD proves it to be the truth.
Here is the verse (19) in the context of it describing the age as beginning by the LORD speaking through Joseph, and it ending as the next begins with the LORD speaking through Moses .
Psalms 105
16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
21 He made him LORD of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
The word translated “word” the second time in verse 19 above is ‘imrah, meaning to say. It is literally telling of the LORD’s spoken word coming through this person. The word “tried” is tsaraph, meaning to fuse, as in metal taking the shape of something under it. The principle is the person becomes the LORD’s representative or ambassador, vested with all His authority and Character (in His name I Am). It is figuratively used in the sense of refining. It is the word “tried” used in Daniel 12:10 to tell of this time. Daniel begins by telling of the end being when one comes in this same manner. We are told of it using a name that defines the manner and that he will as in Isaiah 3:13 “stand up.” This is the same word ‘amad translated “stands” in telling of the LORD as the one presiding over the matter/case through this person he sends with His authority.
Daniel 12
1 And at that time shall Michael (he who is the likeness of God) stand up, the great prince which stand for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
4 But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my LORD, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried [tsaraph]; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he that waits, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13 But go you your way till the end be: for you shalt rest, and stand in your lot at the end of the days.
This brings us back to the sentence, and the word translated as “ancients” in Isaiah 3:13. It is the same word rendered “senators” in Psalms 105:22. It is telling of the verdict being to bind those in these seats of power and control. It is to bind them because they have robbed and plundered by abusing those of their own house, and doing so by using their power in a way that it was never intended.
Friend, this is the common trait among these people now occupying these seats in church and state. They all refuse to reform because they refuse to give up their power and all their conceptions of what they are supposed to be doing. They want to rule as lords over God’s heritage as they direct and divide every aspect of life, liberty and property. They control to keep the wealthy and powerful wealthy and powerful, and do it at the cost of poor and their lesser classes. There is no upward mobility because it would mean putting the wealthy and powerful at risk. That is the goal of the system as it stands, eliminate risk and guarantee increase to those with power and influence as all else stagnates or declines. The system as it stands is self-consuming and will collapse.
1 Peter 5
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.
5 Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein you stand.
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, salutes you; and so doth Marcus my son.
14 Greet you one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Psalms 118
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endures for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endures for ever.
4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endures for ever.
5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The LORD takes my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13 You have thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
18 The LORD has chastened me sore: but he has not given me over unto death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise you: for you have heard me, and are become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech you, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech you, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
27 God is the LORD, which has showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you: you are my God, I will exalt you.
29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
This is the sentence from the LORD:
Psalms 1
1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driven away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Revelation 22
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the LORD God gives them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the LORD God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.
9 Then said he unto me, See you do it not: for I am your fellow-servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10 And he said unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, LORD Jesus.
21 The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
