Theme: Justice is in store for enemies of the Cross

 I. God vindicated His people Israel in the past and His people the Church today (vv. 1-11)

a. Ancient Israel was vindicated

b. Church history martyrs were/are vindicated

c. This points to an ultimate vindication in Christian eschatology 

 II. God has and will Judge nations and its people according to how they treated His covenant (vv. 1-11)

a. Old Covenant judgement of days old

b. New Covenant judgement in the present age

 III.  God has humbled enemies of Israel/Judah and will humble enemies of the Cross (vv. 12-16)

a. Persecutors

b. Scoffers

c. The indifferent 

 IV. God's justice will lead to blessing, redemption and rest for His people in Christ. (vv. 17-21)

a. God preserved the line of Judah

b. God preserves His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it

 Conclusion: Despair not! God's redemption draws near.