THE JUSTICE OF GOD FOR THE UNJUST

Dearly Beloved, THE JUSTICE OF GOD FOR THE UNJUST “For this is what the Lord says about Shallum son of Josiah, who succeeded his father as king of Judah but has gone from this place: ‘He will never return. He will die in the place where they have led him captive; he will not see this land again’” (Jeremiah 22:11-12 NIV). “What goes round comes round” is a popular saying about retribution. One will be repaid with what one has done whether good or bad. This is not a good wish neither is it a curse. It is a fact of life. It is the law of sowing and reaping. Anyone who is just to other people will receive justice while anyone who is unjust will be dealt with unjustly one day. This was the case of Shallum, son of Josiah, the unjust king of Judah. He (also known as Jehoahaz) reigned for only three months after the death of his just father, Josiah, in Jerusalem. However, he was not as just as his father, as he “did evil in the eyes of the Lord...” (2 Kings 23:32 NIV). He did this evil by building his palace by unrighteousness and injustice and by making his own people work for nothing without paying them for their labor (see Jeremiah 22:13). Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt, deported him and made one of his (that is, Shallum’s) brothers king in his place. Prophet Jeremiah prophesied against him that he would never return from his exile but die in his place of captivity (see Jeremiah 22:11-12). There was no other biblical record about this unjust king. He sowed injustice and he reaped calamity (compare Proverbs 22:8). No one can deceive God. He is God of justice who will pay back trouble to those who are unjust (see Galatians 6:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:6). He will pay this back both here on earth and in heaven (see Ecclesiastes 12:14; Isaiah 3:10; Romans 12:19; Galatians 6:8; Colossians 3:25; Hebrews 9:27). Are you unjust in your dealings with other people? Or, in what ways are you dealing unjustly with people around you? Remember God’s justice. He will repay you accordingly. Deal justly with people around you. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to be just in your dealings with others so that you also will get justice from God.