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Who are those
"gods?"
What does the Bible mean in Psalm 82 and
Gen. chapter 6 when it talks about other gods? Who are they and what’s their
function?
Psalm 82 says, “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth
among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the
wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither
will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out
of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the
earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.”
The term
“gods” here is referring to “leaders” and “judges” of the
nation of Israel — not “false gods” or “idols.” It is similar to
when Sarah called Abraham, “lord.” She was not worshipping her husband or saying
that he was “God” to her. It was simply a title of reverence. I Peter 3:1-6
says, “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey
not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be
that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of
apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even
the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For
after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned
themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham,
calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid
with any amazement.” The term “gods” is sometimes used in Scripture
(although, rarely) in the same way. Even Jesus used it in that sense in John 10:34-36,
“Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If
he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be
broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou
blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” Jesus was saying to them,
“You are not too consistent! When leaders in the Old Testament were called
“gods,” you did not say that the people were blaspheming (because you knew that
it was just a title of respect). But when I come along (One that the Father has clearly
set apart and shown to be the Son of God, God Almighty in the flesh), you quickly say that
I am blaspheming! You do not mind when revered men are called “god,” but when
God Almighty in the flesh comes along, then you protest at Him being called
‘God!’”
So back to
Psalm 82; “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.” They
were not judging rightly, but were perverting judgment. God goes on to say to them,
“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the
poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.” God’s summary of their
corrupted legal system was, “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk
on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods;
and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one
of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.”
God was saying that He was going to bring down judgment upon the judges, because they were
not judging rightly.
I am not sure what
translation of the Bible you are using, if it calls these ones “gods” in Genesis
6. You need to be reading the King James Bible, so you are not led astray by the corrupted
readings of the other translations. Genesis 6:1-6 says, “And it came to pass, when
men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That
the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them
wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with
man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There
were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God
came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty
men which were of old, men of renown. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in
the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved
him at his heart.” These “sons of God” were, first of all, “men,”
because that is against whom the wrath of God was directed. “And the LORD said, My
spirit shall not always strive with MAN, for that he also is FLESH.” Some have said
that these “sons of God” were angels in this passage. If that were the case,
then God would have directed His wrath toward the angels — not toward men. But God
clearly says that His wrath would be directed toward “man,” and
“flesh.” Angels are ministering “spirits,” and hence, do not have
normal “flesh.” Hebrews 1:13,14 says, “But to which of the ANGELS said he
at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not
all MINISTERING SPIRITS, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of
salvation?” Luke 24:39 says, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself:
handle me, and see; for A SPIRIT HATH NOT FLESH AND BONES, as ye see me have.”
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