Psalm 82 gives us a glimpse at the operation of God's Divine Council, the advisory body of heavenly beings that God has created. God does not need anyone's advice, but he is training both people and heavenly beings by giving them experience and responsibilities.
There are other divine council scenes in the Bible---e.g., in Job 1-2 and 1 Kings 22.
In this case God seems to be evaluating the work of beings that he has given responsibility over the nations---see Dt 32:8-9. He reprimands those who are not ruling wisely---vv 2-4.
As we read these words, we are led to examine our own lives. How well have we done in helping those who need help, something that God wants humans as well as heavenly beings to do?
These negligent beings, God says, "have neither knowledge nor understanding" (v 5). It is not that they do not know what they are supposed to do; it's just that that they are neglecting their duties, creating moral darkness that damages the moral order God has established in the world.
God warns them that if they do not change their ways, they will face judgment. "Like men you shall die," he warns in verse 7. God made them, and he can unmake them.
The psalm concludes with a prayer for God's kingdom to be fully established (verse 8).
Jesus quotes Psalm 82:6 in John 10:35-36, answering the objections of some who charged him with speaking too highly of himself. He responds with a "how much more" argument, though it is not entirely clear how the argument works. One possibility: If these reprobate beings can be called "sons of God," how much more the unique Son that God had sent to them.
Psalm 82 is the passage that launched Michael Heiser's study of the Bible's supernatural world, leading to his thesis research and later to books including The Unseen Realm, Supernatural, Reversing Hermon, Demons, and Angels.
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