Value and Worth in God's Judgment According to Scripture
Value and Worth in God's Judgment According to Scripture
The concept of value and worth in God's judgment is deeply rooted in biblical teachings. According to Scripture, value is not determined by human standards but by God's estimation. one tradition writes, "But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another" [3]. This divine perspective on value is further emphasized in the New Testament, where it is written that believers are "precious in [God's] sight" [8].
In biblical terms, worth is often associated with God's judgment and righteousness. The Psalmist affirms that "the law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver" [5], highlighting the superior value of God's word over material wealth. This theme is echoed in Proverbs, where wisdom is described as "more precious than rubies" [6]. The value of God's word and wisdom is not merely symbolic; it reflects the intrinsic worth that God assigns to His revelation and the blessings it brings.
God's judgment is characterized by righteousness and justice. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, "The sentence that will be passed on our actions at the last day" is a fundamental aspect of Christian eschatology [1]. Jesus Christ is designated as the judge, emphasizing the significance of His role in determining the worth and value of human actions. The Bible underscores that "all judgment is committed to him" [1], reinforcing the idea that divine judgment is the ultimate measure of value.
The worth of individuals in God's sight is a recurring theme in Scripture. According to John Gill's commentary on Isaiah 43:4, believers are "precious in [God's] sight" not because of any intrinsic value they possess but because of God's gracious estimation [8]. This divine valuation is not based on human merit but on God's sovereign choice and love.
The Bible also emphasizes that God's judgments are beyond human comprehension. The Apostle Paul exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how incomprehensible are his ways!" [4]. This acknowledgment of the limitations of human understanding underscores the reverence and awe with which believers approach God's judgment.
In the context of God's judgment, the value of righteousness and the word of God is paramount. Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 119:142 notes that "God's word is righteousness, and it is an everlasting righteousness" [7]. This righteousness serves as the standard for God's judgment, emphasizing the eternal significance of living according to His word.
The final judgment, as described in Scripture, will reveal the true worth of human actions. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, this event is characterized as a day of "wrath" and "righteous judgment of God" [2]. The administration of this judgment by Christ underscores the importance of His role in evaluating human worth.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Judgment, The final — The sentence that will be passed on our actions at the last day (Matt. 25; Rom. 14:10, 11; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-10). The judge is Jesus Christ, as mediator. All judgment is committed to him (Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; Rev. 1:7). "It pertains to him as mediator to complete and publicly manifest the salvation of his people and the overthrow of his enemies, together with the glorious righteousness of his work in both respects." The persons to be judged are, (1) the whole race of Adam without a single exception (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Judgment, The — Predicted in the Old Testament -- 1Ch 16:33; Ps 9:7; 96:13; Ec 3:17. A first principle of the gospel -- Heb 6:2. A day appointed for -- Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16. Time of, unknown to us -- Mr 13:32. Called the Day of wrath. -- Ro 2:5; Re 6:17. Revelation of the righteous judgment of God. -- Ro 2:5. Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -- 2Pe 3:7. Day of destruction. -- Job 21:30. Judgment of the great day. -- Jude 1:6. Shall be administered by Christ -- Joh 5:22,27; Ac 10:42; Ro 14:10; 2Co 5:10. Saints shall sit with Christ in -- 1Co 6:2; Re 20:4. Sh”
- Psalms “But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another. -- Psalms 75:7”
- Romans “Romans 11:33 (LEB) — Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how incomprehensible are his ways!”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:69: The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. The word of God, the doctrines contained in it; which, coming out of the mouth of God, and spoken by him, carries in it weight and authority, commands reverence and respect; and ought to be considered as indeed the word of God and not of man; and so of more value than thousands of pieces of gold and silver; or, as the Targum, than a thousand talents of gold and silver. The truths and doctrines of the word of God are not only comparable to gold and silver for their intrinsic worth and value; bu”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 3:15: She is more precious than rubies,.... Or "pearls" (u), as some; which were formerly esteemed above all precious stones; the eastern were the more valuable (w), which Solomon had most knowledge of; Christ is the pearl of great price, of more value than any pearl, or all put together, Mat 13:46; See Gill on Job 28:18; or "carbuncles" (x), as others. The Targum and Septuagint render it in general terms "precious stones"; and the Vulgate Latin version, "than all riches"; there is a beautiful gradation in this and Pro 3:14, wisdom is first preferred to silver, then to "f”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:142: Observe, 1. That God's word is righteousness, and it is an everlasting righteousness. It is the rule of God's judgment, and it is consonant to his counsels from eternity and will direct his sentence for eternity. The word of God will judge us, it will judge us in righteousness, and by it our everlasting state will be determined. This should possess us with a very great reverence for the word of God that it is righteousness itself, the standard of righteousness, and it is everlasting in its rewards and punishments. 2. That God's word is a law, and that law is tr”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 43:4: Since thou wast precious in my sight,.... As the saints are; not that they are valuable in themselves; they have no intrinsic worth in them; they are in no wise better than others; they are of the same mass and lump with others; they are of the fallen race of Adam, and are earthly and simple as he was; nor are they precious in their own sight, and much less in the eyes of the world; they are mean and despicable: but they are precious in the sight of God and Christ; in the sight of God the Father, who has chosen them, and taken them into his family, and blessed them wi”