Why God Fears No One When He Acquits His Creatures

"When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh, etc." (Leviticus 13:2). Why does it not say "Speak to the children of Israel," just as it says in all the other sections, but rather "When a man shall have"? This is what Scripture says (Psalms 5:5): "For You are not a God who desires wickedness; evil shall not abide with You." Because the verse says (Isaiah 46:10): "My counsel shall stand, and all My desire I will do" — whoever hears this verse says: perhaps there is an overreach of judgment above. Rabbi Tanchuma bar Abba said: What is the meaning of "and all My desire I will do"? That He does not desire to condemn any creature, as it is said (Ezekiel 33:11): "For do I desire the death of the wicked?" — hence (Psalms 5:5): "For You are not a God who desires evil." What is the meaning of "evil shall not abide with You"? Rabbi Yochanan said: David said before the Holy One, blessed be He: Master of the world, if You desire to acquit, who can protest against Your hand? "Inasmuch as the word of a king is sovereign, and who may say to him, 'What are you doing?'" (Ecclesiastes 8:4). Who is greater than You? It is the way of the world that a ruler who sits in judgment and seeks to acquit or to condemn is afraid of one greater than himself, lest they bring an appeal (anqliton) to the komos; the komos is afraid of the eparchos; the eparchos is afraid of the king; the king is afraid of You; but You, if You seek to acquit Your creatures, of whom are You afraid? "Evil shall not abide with You" — and this expression (yagur) is only an expression of fear, as in the matter that is said (Deuteronomy 9:19): "For I was afraid (yagorti) before the anger and the wrath."