Poetic Justice in the Bible: God’s Justice and the Measure We Use

What Is Poetic Justice?

Poetic Justice is a common literary device used by numerous authors throughout the ages.

It is used to teach a moral lesson through ironic twists of fate. Characters are rewarded or punished for their behavior.

Some cultures may refer to this phenomenon by other names such as “Karma.” Others use sayings such as “What goes around comes around.” The basic concept of “justice through irony” remains the same.

A prime example of poetic justice can be seen in the story of “Cinderella.” Her wicked stepmother had treated Cinderella as if she were a servant. Later, the stepmother was herself forced into servanthood by the Queen after Cinderella attained the status of Princess within the kingdom.

Poetic Justice in Shakespeare

Perhaps the writer best known for incorporating poetic justice into his works is William Shakespeare.

For within his many great plays, one can find numerous examples of this literary technique.

In “Macbeth,” Lady Macbeth influences Macbeth to kill King Duncan. She is later consumed by her own guilt, which ultimately causes her to take her own life.

In “Romeo and Juliet,” the two feuding families are the Capulets and the Montagues. They experience the deaths of their children as recompense for their unforgiving and treacherous attitudes toward one another.

Long before the “Bard from Avon” put his quill to parchment, however, the idea of poetic justice can be found within God’s Holy Word, the Bible.

Poetic Justice in Psalms and Proverbs

Its concept is most notable within the Book of Psalms:

“He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.” Psalm 7:15

“The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid

is their own foot taken.” Psalm 9:15

“They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit

before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves.” Psalm 57:6

In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon also addresses the issue of poetic justice:

“Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return

upon him.” Proverbs 26:27

The principle that events in history are not merely accidental is examined elsewhere in Scripture. Biblical prophecy also presents history as occurring under God’s Sovereign ordering.

Pharaoh and Poetic Justice in Exodus

The first major example of God incorporating poetic justice into the Biblical historical narrative is found in the Book of Exodus.

One of these children was Moses. God would eventually use him to bring about Pharaoh’s demise. Ironically, Moses was rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised within Pharaoh’s own household.

Eventually, Pharaoh and the people of Egypt received the ultimate form of poetic justice. The first born of their land were killed by the LORD in the last of the 10 plagues inflicted upon Egypt (Exodus 12:29).

The events surrounding Israel’s deliverance from Egypt would later become central to the Feast of Passover and ultimately to the biblical picture of Jesus Christ as the Passover Lamb.

Daniel and the Lions’ Den

In the Book of Daniel, the Median royal advisors conspire to kill Daniel. They treacherously trick the King into placing Daniel in a den of hungry lions.

Daniel survived this harrowing experience through the aid of God’s Angel. These same conspirators and their families were later thrown into the same den of lions and eaten alive (Daniel 6:24).

The Book of Daniel also provides some of Scripture’s most significant examples of God exercising Sovereign control over the course of human history.

Haman and Mordecai: Poetic Justice in Esther

Perhaps the most notable example of poetic justice in the Old Testament record can be found within the Book of Esther.

Here, the Persian nobleman Haman is conspiring to kill the Hebrew Mordecai through political chicanery.

Mordecai’s niece Esther steps in and exposes the plot to King Ahasuerus. The King then had Haman hung on the same gallows that Haman had built for Mordecai’s demise (Esther 7:10).

Nathan Confronts King David

When we further examine the Old Testament record, we find another interesting occurrence of poetic justice. It appears in the Prophet Nathan’s confrontation with King David in the 12th Chapter of II Samuel:

“And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him,

There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and

nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his

own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a

daughter.

And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock

and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took

the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the

LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:

And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had

no pity.

And Nathan said unto David, Thou art the man” …… (II Samuel 12:1-7).

This, of course, was in reference to David stealing Bathsheba from Uriah the Hittite.

Will God Judge Us by the Measure We Use?

This passage also reveals to us a rather interesting potential aspect concerning poetic justice.

When all the peoples of the world are brought before God in the Final Judgment, perhaps the ultimate irony will be this: each person may be assessed by the same standard of judgment they used toward others. As in the case of David, their own standard may become the measure applied to their individual lives.

God will then apply the same degree of harshness they have shown toward others in His final assessment of their lives.

As Jesus stated in the Book of Matthew:

“JUDGE NOT, that ye be not judged.

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete,

it shall be measured to you again.” Matthew 7:1-2

The importance of carefully distinguishing what Scripture actually teaches from human theological assumptions is also central to the broader purpose of Paradigms Tossed and its examination of faulty Christian paradigms.

Mercy, Judgment and Christian Living

What a poignant call this is for all believers to engage in Holy Living. It is also a warning against harboring harsh and critical attitudes toward other people.

Jesus taught that our love for others should be filled with “mercy.” This mercy should extend to the faults and shortcomings of our fellow man (Matthew 23:23).

Ultimately, God rather than man remains Sovereign over the affairs of our lives. Recognizing this should encourage the believer to leave final judgment in His hands.

Related Studies from Paradigms Tossed

Continue exploring God’s justice, sovereignty, mercy, and the biblical patterns that reveal His control over history through these related studies:

2030 and Biblical Prophecy: Is It Really “Just a Coincidence”?
This study examines the idea that history is not governed by mere chance, but unfolds under the sovereign direction and purposes of God.

Moses as a Type of Christ: Biblical Prophecy, the Rapture, and the Second Coming
Explore how God uses people and events in Scripture as prophetic patterns, demonstrating His sovereign control over the course of history.

2030 Prophetic Time Table 5 – The Examination of the Passover Lamb
This study explores God’s justice, redemption, and the fulfillment of biblical patterns through Jesus Christ, the perfect Passover Lamb.

Hosea 6 Prophecy and the Year 2030: Prophetic Timeline 4
Examine how judgment, discipline, restoration, and mercy are woven together within biblical prophecy and God’s dealings with Israel.

Refined Like Silver: How God Uses Trials to Mature Believers
A related study examining how God can use difficult circumstances, correction, and discipline to refine believers and accomplish His purposes in their lives.