BIG IDEA:
GOD’S INDICTMENT AGAINST HIS PEOPLE FOR: INSINCERE WORSHIP & UNRIGHTEOUS CONDUCT
I. (:1-6) CALL TO JUDGMENT: “God Himself is Judge”
A. Character of the Judge
1. the Mighty One = God = the Lord
2. the Holy King = perfection of beauty
out of Zion = the holy, royal city
3. the Righteous Judge
B. Summons to Come to the Courtroom
1. Summons Issued by God
a. He will no longer keep silent
b. He is a God to be feared
1) fire devours before Him
2) It is very tempestuous around Him
2. Summons Addressed to Everyone
a. To the witnesses:
1) the heavens
2) all of the earth
b. To those being judged = Israel = God’s people
“my godly ones”
those who have made a covenant with God by sacrifice
II. (:7-13) INDICTMENT FOR INSINCERE WORSHIP
External Sacrifices Cannot Absolve a Heart that is not Thankful!
God does not NEED our sacrifices (“the world is mine and all it contains”)
III. (:14-15) THE KEY TO DELIVERANCE = THANKSGIVING + OBEDIENCE
IV. (:16-21) INDICTMENT FOR UNRIGHTEOUS CONDUCT
Lip Service Cannot Absolve a Life that Disregards God’s Law
V. (:22-23) THE KEY TO DELIVERANCE = THANKSGIVING + OBEDIENCE