We need not doubt, and we have no right to question the wisdom of God’s plan. And according to that plan Israel as God’s representative was to judge the nations.
Did you ever think of it that in this respect, as in many others, Israel is our example? It is also a part of our sanctification that we judge and condemn the enemies of the Kingdom of God. It is true, we are not now called to engage in a natural war for the extermination of the wicked; our warfare is spiritual. But we must always bear in mind that it is not merely a war with the enemies that are within us, but also with those that are round about us. A very essential part of it is that we condemn the world and its sinful proceedings; that we in unqualified terms pronounce an adverse judgment on sin, wherever we find it. We must not only bless, but also curse, as the Psalmists did in the days of old. “Do ye not know,” says Paul to the Corinthians, “that the saints shall judge the world?” It will be our privilege in the last great day to sit in judgment with Christ over the enemies of the Kingdom of God. To be a judge with God, is one of the greatest prerogatives of believers, but also requires unbounded faith. Alas, that many Christians of the present day have forgotten their holy duty, and have not sufficient faith to speak a hearty amen to the imprecations in the psalms. How little we find of that robust faith that condemns in uncompromising terms whatever is contrary to the will of God. Ah, few have the faith of Calvin, who opposed the Libertines of Geneva at every step, and wrote to the queen of Navarre, after she had chided his constant opposition to that party: “Even a dog barks if he sees anyone assault his master. How could I be silent if God’s truth be so assailed?”
Did you ever think of it that in this respect, as in many others, Israel is our example? It is also a part of our sanctification that we judge and condemn the enemies of the Kingdom of God. It is true, we are not now called to engage in a natural war for the extermination of the wicked; our warfare is spiritual. But we must always bear in mind that it is not merely a war with the enemies that are within us, but also with those that are round about us. A very essential part of it is that we condemn the world and its sinful proceedings; that we in unqualified terms pronounce an adverse judgment on sin, wherever we find it. We must not only bless, but also curse, as the Psalmists did in the days of old. “Do ye not know,” says Paul to the Corinthians, “that the saints shall judge the world?” It will be our privilege in the last great day to sit in judgment with Christ over the enemies of the Kingdom of God. To be a judge with God, is one of the greatest prerogatives of believers, but also requires unbounded faith. Alas, that many Christians of the present day have forgotten their holy duty, and have not sufficient faith to speak a hearty amen to the imprecations in the psalms. How little we find of that robust faith that condemns in uncompromising terms whatever is contrary to the will of God. Ah, few have the faith of Calvin, who opposed the Libertines of Geneva at every step, and wrote to the queen of Navarre, after she had chided his constant opposition to that party: “Even a dog barks if he sees anyone assault his master. How could I be silent if God’s truth be so assailed?”
Louis Berkhof, "Life under the Law in a Pure Theocracy"
