The Slow and Serpentine Arc of the Moral Universe

The Day of the Lord may be slow in coming—and gratefully so, given the eternal finality of the final revelation of God’s judgment—but it won’t be late. The arc of the moral universe may be long and serpentine, but it will ultimately bend to the justification of God and God’s people. Given that, it’s best to be on the right side of redemptive history.

Going Deep // Focus: Exodus 8:23

I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign will occur tomorrow.

As a believer, there are times when you just wish God would show up and through some unbelievable, undeniable act, convince one and all, especially the unbelieving, scoffing world, that he alone is God. And there are times when your heart longs for God to publically justify his people before a belligerent, God-hating, sin-loving culture in a way that leaves no room for doubt.

Historically, the community of faith, to it’s own peril, has rubbed against the fur of the world in standing for the values of the Kingdom. And we long for that moment when, to this godless age, God proves himself and approves of his people in such a way that there is no other explanation than God.

And occasionally in history, God has done just that. Such is the case in Exodus 8 as he visits the ten plagues upon the godless culture of Egypt. By the very nature of these plagues, which were Divine counterparts to the counterfeit gods of Egypt, it became plainly evident to both Hebrew and Egyptian that there was no greater God than the God of Israel and that the children of Israel were God’s prized possession. Indeed, the plagues were a sign to Pharaoh, his officials, and his people, that God made “a distinction between my people and your people.” (Genesis 8:23)

One of the deepest longings of the God-follower’s heart is that the Almighty would justify himself, once and for all! Of course, God never needs to justify himself. And of course, in spite of the previous statement, one day he will do exactly that—he will bring judgment upon a world stunned into silence as his unvarnished justice and unmitigated power is revealed. Paul speaks of that time in Philippians 2:9-11 when not only the unbelieving world, but the whole of creation, will bow in submission to the unparalleled greatness of God:

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

That day is coming. It may be slow—and gratefully so, given the utter finality of the final revelation of God’s judgment—but it won’t be late. The arc of the moral universe may be long and serpentine, but it will ultimately end in the justification of God and God’s people. And, given that, it’s best to be on the right side of history.

God gave Pharaoh a chance to repent. God gives the world a chance to repent. God gives you and me a chance to repent. In light of the coming day when there will be no other explanation than God, let’s live as people of repentance.