top of page

UNDERSTANDING JEHOVAH SHAPHAT יהוה שׁפט - [Sermon Note]

Pastor Stephanie





ISAIAH 33:22 KJV

For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.


H8199 judge

Original: שׁפט

Transliteration: shâphaṭ

Phonetic: shaw-fat'

Strong's Definition:

to judge, that is, PRONOUNCE SENTENCE (for or against);

to vindicate or punish;

to govern;

to litigate: - + avenge, X that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge (-ment), X needs, plead, reason, rule.


SHAPHAT - שׁפט

Shin = שtwo front teeth, thus sharp, press, eat, two, again

Pey פ ,ף =the mouth, thus open, blow, scatter, edge

Tet ט =the basket, thus surround, contain, hold, mud


The story:

Pronouncing a word (shin, as spoken words pass through the teeth) with the mouth (pey); i.e., to make a decree, a proclamation, that holds (tet, as a basket holds whatever it contains) i.e., that passes the scrutiny of time and circumstances as a true word.


Judge, something spoken


The first occurrence.


GENESIS 16:5

And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon you: I have given my maid into your bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes:


YHVH judge between me and you.


Talking to the Jews under the law


GOD THE RIGHTEOUS, JUST AND FAIR JUDGE


EZEKIEL 18:19-20 NKJV

“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’

Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live.


The SOUL who SINS SHALL DIE.

The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son.

The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.


Generally they were righteous by law.

The soul that sin shall die


EZEKIEL 18:21-22 NKJV

“But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.


None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live.


His lovingkindness, His mercy. We did not die even though we sin when we live under grace, thank God for Jesus!


EZEKIEL 18:23-24 NKJV

Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?


“But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live?


All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.


EZEKIEL 18:25 NKJV

“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’

Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?


EZEKIEL 18:32 NKJV

For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God.

“Therefore turn and live!”


GENESIS 18:25 NLT

Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked.


Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that!


Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”


if the people don't follow, they will be judged.


GOD IS A MERCIFUL JUDGE


EXODUS 25:17-18 NKJV

“You shall make a MERCY SEAT of PURE GOLD; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width.


And you shall make two cherubim of gold;

of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.

EXODUS 25:19-20 NKJV

Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of ONE PIECE with the mercy seat.


And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, COVERING the MERCY SEAT with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat.


EXODUS 25:21 NKJV

You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you.


EXODUS 25:22 NKJV

And THERE I will MEET with YOU,

and I will SPEAK with you


FROM ABOVE the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony,


ABOUT EVERYTHING which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.

He is a merciful God, He put the 10 commandments under the mercy seat


Strong's Definition:

From H3722;

a LID (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark):- mercy seat.


HEBREWS 9:5 NKJV

and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the MERCY SEAT.

Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.


G2435 mercy seat

Original: ἱλαστήριον

Transliteration: HILASTĒRION

Phonetic: hil-as-tay'-ree-on

- relating to an APPEASING, a PROPITIATION


used of the cover of the ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies, which was sprinkled with the blood of the expiatory victim on the annual day of atonement (this rite signifying that the life of the people, the loss of which they had merited by their sins, was offered to God in the blood as the life of the victim, and that God by this ceremony was APPEASED and their sins EXPIATED);


hence the LID of EXPIATION, the propitiatory

an expiatory sacrifice

a expiatory victim


they deserved the punishment because of their sin.

that sacrifice is symbolised of sinner died


Strong's Definition: Neuter of a derivative of G2433; an expiatory (place or thing), that is, an atoning victim, or the lid of the Ark (in the Temple):- mercy seat, propitiation.


Hilasterion means a sacrifice that bears God's wrath to the end and in so doing changes God's wrath toward us into favor.


God has set the sinner free through Christ, but He has not done so by setting aside the rules.

He has set the sinner free in Christ by satisfying the demands of God’s justice in Christ.


A sacrifice has to be made. His life for our lives. A complete Person with no sin


A sacrifice that bears God's wrath

Now God's wrath or justice is appeased


God has set us free from judgement and penalty


The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross satisfied the demands of God’s holiness for the punishment of sin.

So Jesus propitiated or satisfied God.


This means that by dying for us, He freed us from the guilt of our sins and restored us to God by providing the needed satisfaction and by removing every barrier to fellowship

(Ed note: compare to "atonement" = "at-one-ment").


The judge has to be judged. God's justice is satisfied on the cross


Due to sin, a penalty was to be meted out and a price was to be paid.

Christ paid that price and suffered that penalty (“redemption”).


God’s divine wrath had to be appeased, due to man’s sin; Christ has appeased that wrath (“propitiation”).


Rapture for believers is God's grace


The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross satisfied the demands of God’s holiness for the punishment of sin.

So Jesus propitiated or satisfied God.


This means that by dying for us, He freed us from the guilt of our sins and restored us to God by providing the needed satisfaction and by removing every barrier to fellowship

(Ed note: compare to "atonement" = "at-one-ment").


If sin is not removed by the blood, we come to God, we die


We can now enter into real fellowship with the Father

Christ has satisfied the claim of justice


God can show mercy to us because Christ has satisfied the claims of justice.


It is not often that an advocate (or lawyer) pays for his client’s sins; yet that is what our Lord has done, and most remarkable of all,

He paid for them by the sacrifice of Himself.

(Believer's Bible Commentary)


Justice of God. The claim of Justice is now justified


Propitiation is not placating a vengeful God but, rather, it is satisfying the righteousness and just wrath of a holy God, thereby making it possible for Him to show mercy righteously.


God can now be just (His law says sin demands death) and can at the same time be the Justifier dealing with men graciously and benevolently.


The concepts of “redemption” and “propitiation” are used to demonstrate and draw our attention to the justice of God.


God has set the sinner free through Christ (justified by grace through faith), but He has not done so by setting aside the rules (His justice).


Jesus took the judgement

Because of the grace of God, we are what we are


Instead, God has set the sinner free in Christ by satisfying the demands of His justice in Christ.


Sin incurs a penalty which must be meted out.

Christ paid the price of the "debt" our sins had accrued on our personal account and suffered the required penalty in our place.


Thus He paid the price to secure our redemption

or liberation as the result of paying the price in full.


JOHN 19:30 NKJV

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said,

“It is finished!”

And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”


Eternal salvation


God’s divine wrath had to be appeased, due to our sin and Christ appeased God's wrath (“propitiation”).


Jesus’ God-given destiny was to be the sacrifice to take away sins, and now he is our mercy seat because of his death on the cross.


We come to him for mercy, for God has made a provision for us to be forgiven by faith in the sacred blood of Jesus.


ROMANS 3:25 TPT

This is the perfect demonstration of God’s justice, because until now, he had been so patient—holding back his justice out of his tolerance for us.


So he COVERED over the sins of those who lived prior to Jesus’ sacrifice.


A righteous God has to punish sin.

HEBREWS 4:16 AMP

Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the THRONE of GRACE [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with CONFIDENCE and WITHOUT FEAR,


so that we may RECEIVE MERCY [for our failures] and find [His amazing] GRACE to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].


Sharing gospel from your heart is not difficult


G1656 mercy

Original: ἔλεος

Transliteration: eleos

Phonetic: el'-eh-os

- mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted,

joined with a desire to help them


of men towards men: to exercise the virtue of mercy, show one's self merciful


of God towards men: in general providence; the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ


the mercy of Christ, whereby at his return to judgment he will bless true Christians with eternal life


Strong's Definition: Of uncertain affinity; compassion (human or divine, especially active):- (+ tender) mercy.


JAMES 2:8-9 AMP

If, however, you are [really] fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, if you have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]” you are doing well.


But if you show partiality [prejudice, favoritism], you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as offenders.

JAMES 2:10-11 EASY

Even if you fail to obey only one rule in God's Law, it means that you are guilty.

It is the same as if you fail to obey all God's Law.


For example, God has said in his Law, ‘You must not have sex with anyone who is not your husband or your wife.’


But God has also said, ‘Do not kill another person.’

Perhaps you do not have sex in a wrong way like that.

But if you then murder someone, God's Law shows that you are still wrong.


Today we love as Christ loves us

Unconditional love not by our own effort


JAMES 2:12-13 AMP

Speak and act [consistently] as people who are going to be judged by the law of liberty [that moral law that frees obedient Christians from the bondage of sin].


For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; but [to the one who has shown mercy] mercy triumphs [victoriously] over judgment.


When we show mercy, God is the One who shows mercy to us


ROMANS 3:26 TPT

And when the season of tolerance came to an end, there was only one possible way for God to give away his righteousness and still be true to both his justice and his mercy—to offer up his own Son.


So now, because we STAND on the FAITHFULNESS of JESUS,

GOD DECLARES us RIGHTEOUS in HIS eyes!


ROMANS 3:27-28 TPT

Where, then, is there room for boasting?

Do our works bring God’s acceptance?

Not at all!

It was not our works of keeping the law but our faith in his finished work that makes us right with God.


So our conclusion is this:

God’s wonderful declaration that we are righteous in his eyes can only come when we put our faith IN CHRIST, and NOT in KEEPING the LAW.


JAMES (JACOB) 4:12 TPT

There is only one true Lawgiver and Judge, the One who has the power to save and destroy—so who do you think you are to judge your neighbor?


G2919 judge

Original: κρίνω

Transliteration: krinō

Phonetic: kree'-no

Thayer Definition:

to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose

to be of opinion, deem, think,

to determine, resolve, decree

to judge

to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong


of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life,

or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others,


to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment


Strong's Definition: to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); to try, condemn, punish:- avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.


ROMANS 8:1 NLT

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.


ROMANS 8:1 EASY

Now we know this:

GOD HAS FORGIVEN those people who are united with Christ Jesus.

God will never say that they are guilty.


G2631 condemnation

Original: κατάκριμα

Transliteration: katakrima

Phonetic: kat-ak'-ree-mah

damnatory sentence

Strong's Definition: From G2632; an adverse sentence (the verdict): - condemnation.


G2632

Original: κατακρίνω

Transliteration: katakrinō

Phonetic: kat-ak-ree'-no

Thayer Definition:

to give JUDGMENT against,

to JUDGE worthy of punishment

to condemn

by one's good example to render another's wickedness themore evident and censurable


Strong's Definition: From G2596 and G2919; to JUDGE AGAINST, that is, sentence: - condemn, damn.


Whatever is past, is past


Through this sacrifice of mercy, no more thinking of all the things we have done wrong or right


LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23 AMP

It is because of the LORD’S LOVINGKINDNESS (MERCY) (CHESED) that we are

not consumed, -

Because His [tender] compassions never fail.


They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness.


Sin is guilty conscious, self-righteousness


On one side, God has to judge


DANIEL 12:1-2 AMP

“Now at that [end] time Michael, the great [angelic] prince who stands guard over the children of your people, will arise.


And there will be a TIME of DISTRESS such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time;


but at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the Book [of Life], will be rescued.


Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake (resurrect), these to everlasting life, but some to disgrace and everlasting contempt (abhorrence).

2 PETER 3:8-9 MSG

Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends.

With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day.

God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness.


He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because HE DOESN’T WANT ANYONE LOST.

He’s giving everyone space and time to change.


2 PETER 3:10-13 MSG

But WHEN the Day of God’s Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief.


The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a raging inferno, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.


2 PETER 3:10-13 MSG

Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life?


Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival.


The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we’ll hardly notice.

We’ll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.


1 PETER 1:17 NIV

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, LIVE OUT YOUR TIME as FOREIGNERS here in reverent fear.


Fixed and focus our hearts on Jesus

He is a good Father

The judge has become our Father by God's grace


1 PETER 1:17-21 MSG

You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way.

But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.


YOUR LIFE is a JOURNEY you must travel with a DEEP CONSCIOUSNESS of GOD.


It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in.


1000 years is like 1 day with God


1 PETER 1:17-21 MSG

He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know.

He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb.


And this was no afterthought.

Even though it has only lately—at the END of the AGES—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you.


It’s BECAUSE of this SACRIFICED MESSIAH, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.


Now that you’ve cleaned up your lives by following the truth, LOVE ONE ANOTHER as if YOUR LIVES DEPENDED on IT.


YOUR NEW LIFE is not like your old life.

Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your NEW BIRTH comes from GOD’S LIVING WORD.



ISAIAH 61:1-2 EASY

The Spirit of the Almighty Lord is ON ME, because he has CHOSEN ME

to SERVE HIM.


He has sent me to TELL GOOD NEWS to poor people.


He has sent me to COMFORT people who are very upset.


He has sent me to TELL PRISONERS that they are now free.

They can go out of their prisons!


He has sent me to say, ‘THIS IS the YEAR when the LORD will be KIND to HIS PEOPLE.’...



27 views

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page