Part III – Messiah is King/Priest/Judge

The Lord is at Your right hand

The word Lord is the Hebrew word Adonai, not YHVH. It is a reference to Yeshua. Keep in mind that David now addresses God the Father. The expanded translation of this verse is:

“Adonai (Messiah Yeshua) is at YOUR (YHVH’s) right hand;”

The source of Messiah’s right to judge is again his place of authority at God’s right hand. To David, it has been revealed that the Messiah will receive authority to function in a third office. He will function in the office of king, priest, and also judge. Next the question “When will the Messiah execute His authority to judge?” is answered.

1. The Time of Judgment – 110:5b

He (Messiah Yeshua) will shatter kings in the day of His wrath.

The time of Messiah’s act of judgment is revealed. It will occur on the day of His wrath, that is, on the day He returns to save Israel and shatter the kings that have united to destroy His people. However, there are many people who will mock this revelation. Many scoffers say the day of God’s judgment on evil is a meaningless fantasy. We read in 2 Peter 3:3-4:

Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”

In verse 6, God meets the challenge of unbelief by asserting the certainty of this statement and the certainty of His coming judgment.

2. The Certainty of Judgment – 110:6a

He will judge among the nations

The certainty of this prophetic statement is emphasized through the significant choice of a Hebrew word. Rabbi Cohen, as quoted in the Soncino Books of the Bible commentary states:

Instead of the more usual verb “shafat,” the text has “din,” which here and elsewhere does not imply the hearing of a suit but of passing judgment in a case WHICH IS DECIDED (cf. “Dan shall judge [i.e. vindicate] his people,” Genesis 49:16). In the present passage, the nations ARE PROVED GUILTY of aggression, and God WILL execute judgment upon them.^[1]

This case is already closed. The evidence has already been heard, and the verdict of guilty has already been announced. All that is left is the awful certainty of judgment. This judgment is in complete consistency with the Abrahamic Covenant – “and the one who curses you I will curse” (Gen. 12:3b). Next the result of the judgment is revealed.

3. The Results of Judgment – 110:6b-c

He will fill them with corpses,
He will shatter the chief men over a broad country.

The resistance will be fierce but absolutely futile. The field of battle will be heaped high with corpses of the soldiers. Previously, we viewed this same scene when we looked at Isaiah 63:1-6 and Revelation 19:11-16 and saw the Messiah tread the winepress of the wrath of God. Another place where this scene of carnage is described is Isaiah 34:1-3:

Draw near, O nations, to hear; and listen, O peoples! Let the earth and all it contains hear, and the world and all that springs from it. For the LORD’S indignation is against all the nations, and His wrath against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to slaughter. So their slain will be thrown out, and their corpses will give off their stench, and the mountains will be drenched with their blood.

Finally the judgment comes to its completion.

4. The Completion of Judgment – 110:7

He will drink from the brook by the wayside;
Therefore He will lift up His head.

“The phrase ‘He drinks’ is a metaphor for victory (Radak).” This act of drinking is to refresh oneself after a victorious battle. Yeshua will be victorious and be able to stand with His head lifted high. Therefore, verses 5-7 show that Yeshua has ultimate authority because Yeshua is God’s judge.