For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.
Isaiah 33:22
When I was in seminary, our Old Testament and Hebrew professor, Dr. Elizabeth Platt, told us that we had a class coming up that we absolutely should not miss; it was likely to be the most important class we would ever experience in seminary. That day came, and Elizabeth was absolutely correct!
The class was on the Suzerainty Treaty format of God’s covenant relationship with the people. In a nutshell, God is the Great Suzerain who hands down the mandate to honor him and honor others. As long as they did this, God would provide coverage over them. If they were to break this treaty by dishonoring God or neighbor, God would remove his protection.
Ultimately, the Great Suzerain of Life, the Universe, and Everything provides us with this law that we are to love him and love our neighbor. He alone can judge us for he is our king. What kind of King is he? One who loves us so much that he saves us in this position!!!
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (v3) – Isaac Watts
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