亚比米勒的士兵看到的，只是一个已经死了的亚比米勒。具有讽剌意味的是，作为一个自封的君王，他最后的一道命令，帮助他不致尴尬地死在一个妇人手上—— 但事实却非如此。神秉行了公道：藉着亚比米勒的死，“神报应亚比米勒向他父亲所行的恶，就是杀了弟兄七十个人的恶。”
腐败的领导是有后果的。不论是谁坐在高位，神仍然会按祂完美的旨意施行公义；尽管我们不能时常明白祂安排的时间，但神施行的公义必定会是人所犯之罪所当得的。
只有一件事是例外。耶稣死在十字架上时，百夫长“归荣耀与神说：‘这真是个义人！’”聚集观看的众人“都捶着胸”（路加福音 23:47-48）。神为什么容许一个无罪的人死得如此悲惨？这可算是公义吗？
我们必须承认，和我们的领导人一样，我们都无法为我们不公义的行为付上真正的代价。一个无罪的人代替了我们，祂甘愿为我们所有的罪恶过犯受死，这个完美无罪的人就是神自己的儿子。这就是神仁慈和怜悯的公义了。
耶稣基督死了，耶稣基督被埋葬了，耶稣基督复活了。“赞美真神，万福之根。”
主啊，我是罪人中的罪魁，感谢你向我施行仁慈的公义。求你赐智慧和公义给所有领导你的子民的人。奉耶稣祈求，阿们。
士师记 9:50-57
50亚比米勒到提备斯，向提备斯安营，就攻取了那城。
51城中有一座坚固的楼，城里的众人，无论男女，都逃进楼去，关上门，上了楼顶。
52亚比米勒到了楼前攻打，挨近楼门，要用火焚烧。
53有一个妇人把一块上磨石抛在亚比米勒的头上，打破了他的脑骨。
54他就急忙喊叫拿他兵器的少年人，对他说：“拔出你的刀来杀了我吧！免得人议论我说：‘他为一个妇人所杀。’”于是少年人把他刺透，他就死了。
55以色列人见亚比米勒死了，便各回自己的地方去了。
56这样，神报应亚比米勒向他父亲所行的恶，就是杀了弟兄七十个人的恶。
57示剑人的一切恶，神也都报应在他们头上，耶路巴力的儿子约坦的咒诅归到他们身上了。
“The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.’” - Luke 23:47
All that Abimelek’s soldiers could see was a dead Abimelek. Ironically, his last command as a self-appointed king had helped him escape an embarrassing death at the hands of a woman—but not really. God set the record straight: with Abimelek’s death “God repaid the wickedness that Abimelek had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers.”
Corrupt leadership has its consequences. No matter who holds positions of power, God administers justice in line with his perfect will. Though we may not always understand his timing, God’s justice is equal to the crime committed.
Except in one case. When Jesus died on the cross, the centurion “praised God and said, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.’” And the people who had come to watch a spectacle “beat their breasts” (Luke 23:47-48). Why would God allow an innocent man to die so horribly? Could that be just?
We have to admit that we, along with our leaders, cannot pay the true price for all our unrighteous behavior. Instead, an innocent man, the Son of God himself, perfect and without sin, died willingly for all our sins and trespasses. That’s God’s compassionate, merciful justice.
Jesus Christ died, Jesus Christ was buried, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.”
For your compassionate justice to me, the worst of sinners, I thank you, Lord. Please grant wisdom and righteousness to all who lead your people. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
