Both/And:
A Righteous and Just God, Full of Loving-kindness
Then He said, “A certain man had two sons. The younger of them [inappropriately] said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’ So he divided the estate between them. A few days later, the younger son gathered together everything [that he had] and traveled to a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and immoral living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to do without and be in need. But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] treat me like one of your hired men.” ’ So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe [for the guest of honor] and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. And bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let us [invite everyone and] feast and celebrate; for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.’ So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:11-14, 17-24 AMP
Praise God!
I tell you, …there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. Luke 15:7 AMP
Yes!
Your lovingkindness and graciousness, O Lord, extend to the skies, Your faithfulness [reaches] to the clouds. Psalms 36:5 AMP
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. Psalms 36:7 AMP
But, wait, what?! My Dad did what?!
…“This man accepts and welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:2 AMP
SINNERS those that despise God?!!
So…
the elder brother became angry and deeply resentful and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he said to his father, ‘Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never neglected or disobeyed your command. Yet you have never given me [so much as] a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this [other] son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you slaughtered that fattened calf for him!’ The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But it was fitting to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was [as good as] dead and has begun to live. He was lost and has been found.’ ” Luke 15:28-32 AMP
The elder son was not just being self righteous, Jewish law says a rebellious son is to be killed for disrespecting the father. He was a disavowed, outcast from the family.
So,
Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?Job 8:3 AMP
“…hear me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God that He would do wickedness, And from the Almighty to do wrong. For God pays a man according to his work, And He will make every man find [appropriate] compensation according to his way. Surely God will not act wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. Job 34:10-12 AMP
For,
… Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Psalms 97:2 AMP
And,
He guards the paths of justice; And He preserves the way of His saints (believers). Proverbs 2:8 AMP
So, what is true, how can God uphold righteousness and justice and the younger son?
God does not deny or prove untrue to any aspect of His character.
He loves righteousness and justice;
And,
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord. Psalms 33:5 AMP
For we too once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various sinful desires and pleasures, spending and wasting our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared [in human form as the Man, Jesus Christ], He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we would be justified [made free of the guilt of sin] by His [compassionate, undeserved] grace, and that we would be [acknowledged as acceptable to Him and] made heirs of eternal life [actually experiencing it] according to our hope (His guarantee). Titus 3:3-7 AMP
You see all persons have been penned to disobedience. We are all in need of His mercy, and mercy begets mercy.
We can look at the example in Romans 11:25-32 as a basis on how God in His wisdom and love, restores all created things back to Himself, and remains a righteous judge distributing justice.
I want to lay all this out on the table as clearly as I can, friends. This is complicated. It would be easy to misinterpret what’s going on and arrogantly assume that you’re royalty and they’re just rabble, out on their ears for good. But that’s not it at all. This hardness on the part of insider Israel toward God is temporary. Its effect is to open things up to all the outsiders so that we end up with a full house. Before it’s all over, there will be a complete Israel. As it is written, A champion will stride down from the mountain of Zion; he’ll clean house in Jacob. And this is my commitment to my people: removal of their sins. From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Message, it looks like the Jews are God’s enemies. But looked at from the long-range perspective of God’s overall purpose, they remain God’s oldest friends. God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded. There was a time not so long ago when you were on the outs with God. But then the Jews slammed the door on him and things opened up for you. Now they are on the outs. But with the door held wide open for you, they have a way back in. In one way or another, God makes sure that we all experience what it means to be outside so that he can personally open the door and welcome us back in. Romans 11:25-32 MSG
It should be no surprise, God’s love reaches even those consigned to the dungeons and wilderness.
He will not be disheartened or crushed [in spirit]; [He will persevere] until He has established justice on the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.” “I am the Lord, I have called You (the Messiah) in righteousness [for a righteous purpose], I will also take You by the hand and keep watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people [Israel], As a light to the nations (Gentiles), To open the eyes of the blind, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who sit in darkness from the prison. Indeed, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” Sing to the Lord a new song, Sing His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, You islands and coastlands, and those who inhabit them [sing His praise]! Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voices, The villages where Kedar lives. Let the inhabitants of Sela shout for joy, Let them shout joyfully from the tops of the mountains. The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will stir up His zeal like a man of war; He will shout out, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail [mightily] against His enemies. Isaiah 42:4, 6-7, 9-11, 13 AMP
For,
A battered reed He will not break, And a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, Until He leads justice to victory. Matthew 12:20 AMP
…I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents [that is, changes his inner self—his old way of thinking, regrets past sins, lives his life in a way that proves repentance; and seeks God’s purpose for his life].” Luke 15:10 AMP
So,
Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness. Psalms 37:3 AMP
Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; Bind them [securely] around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 AMP
For,
The words and promises of the Lord are pure words, Like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times. Psalms 12:6 AMP