Judge Lawgiver King
The context of Isaiah 33 is the Assyrian invasion of Judah in 701 B.C. and the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem. It stands as the final “woe” in a series of six prophetic warnings (chapters 28-33) directed against those who rely on worldly powers, rather than trusting God. While this passage serves as a historical reminder, it also serves as an end-times prophecy for people, and nations. In verse 22, Isaiah presents a glorious vision of a King and a restored Jerusalem where physical threats are gone, the King reigns in glory, and no citizen will say “I am sick.”
Isaiah gives a stunning picture of Yahweh in three covenantal offices, that of Judge, Lawgiver, and King. In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ fulfils these offices and inaugurates a kingdom that is founded on these unchanging truths.
In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ is presented as a Judge in James 4:12 “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbour? In John 5:22 we read, “For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.” In Acts 17:30-31, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
As a righteous Judge, Christ is the standard of right and wrong. Judge in this context not only relates to a third-party offence but first speaks of one’s conscience. Is your thought life daily being brought into loving obedience to this Judge? As the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” The truth of Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” will be seen through one’s life, relationships, and work.
Failing to give Christ His rightful place as Judge, will also lead to a failure to judge (discern between right and wrong) oneself accurately. Thoughts are potent; “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:31
As the Lawgiver, we see the Lord Jesus Christ legislating as the greater than Moses in Matthew 5-7, the Olivet discourse. This agrees with the Old Testament prophecy of Jeremiah 31:33 “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. “ Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” The Law and the Prophets refer to the entire Old Testament; Jesus did not come to invalidate or discard God’s previous word; He came to complete it’s purpose, embody it’s ultimate meaning, and accomplish what it pointed towards through His life and teachings. As a Lawgiver, Christ ought to set the pattern of our living, relating, and working. Christ shows us how His commands reach into the motives of the human heart, rather than just outward rule-based living.
If Judge speaks of conscience, Lawgiver speaks of standard. What is the standard you hold yourself to? Is it the righteous standard of God’s Word (Old and New Testament) or is it the shifting standards of the world?
As King, Christ holds the ultimate power and rules over all creation. The wise men looked for the king of the Jews. (Matthew 2:2); on the cross, the inscription above His head read “King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37), on His return, Jesus is the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16).
Jesus is not only Saviour, but He is also Lord and King. Receiving Christ as King in one’s life will lead to yielding one’s plans, timelines, and desires to His ultimate authority. You follow His commands even when they’re difficult and counter cultural. You demonstrate the value of His kingdom through your life like love, mercy, justice, peace, generosity etc. You are not anxious about life and what it holds in the future because you know a good King protects, provides, and fights for His subjects. Your priorities are kingdom oriented- you prioritise His will over your reputation, your respectability in society, wealth or comfort.
Who is on the throne of your heart as King?
Are your major life decisions based on your own desires or are you asking the King for what He wants for you?
Is there an area/s where you are resisting the King’s rule in your relationships, habits, finances?
Are you trusting the King to protect you, or are you relying on your own strength and ingenuity to get you through life?
If Judge speaks of conscience, Lawgiver speaks of standard, King speaks of allegiance.
Like Jacob was disjointed at the hip and walked out from that duel with the heavenly being as Israel, Isaiah prophecies that the “lame will take the prey” (Isaiah 33:23). The people who receive Christ as Judge, Lawgiver, and King will owe their allegiance (loyalty) to one King only, that is Christ. They will feast on the best that the land has to offer. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.
