He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 (ESV)
The American dictionary defines justice as: the equality of being just, righteousness, equitableness or moral rightness. The Hebrew definition suggests a verdict whether favorable or unfavorable, a sentence or formal decree, a human or divine law. Richard Phillips writes, “The idea of justice is to treat people fairly, giving them what is due them.”
Being just and showing justice is at the very heart of God’s character. The Lord loves justice (Isaiah 61:8). All of God’s ways are justice. The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. ((Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV) God has established his throne in justice (Psalm 9:7). Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne (Psalm 89:14; 97:2). God executes justice and is exalted in justice (Psalm 140:12; Isaiah 5:16).
God also commands justice (Deuteronomy 16:19). You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. (Leviticus 19:15 ESV) Justice is also found embedded in the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses: And you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Deuteronomy 5:20 ESV)
With the coming of Christ, who was the exact imprint of the God’s nature (Hebrews 1:3), we see justice in action. First we see that to show justice was one of the reasons Christ came. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” (Matthew 12:17-21 ESV)
Jesus offered no favoritism to anyone based on ethnicity or economic status. He rebuked sinners and religious leaders, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile alike and healed all you came to him through faith. He rebuked the religious leaders of his day for bringing their offerings yet neglecting the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23 ESV). To an angry crowd Jesus admonished, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24 ESV) His rebuke to his church is no less today.
The offerings we bring to God mean little if we are neglecting to show justice and mercy and faithfulness. Solomon wrote, To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3 ESV) And our mandate as Christians is to pass righteous judgment in all cases showing no partiality to the rich or poor, great or small. In fact, James, Jesus’ brother interprets the second commandment as showing no partiality; He wrote, If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. (James 2:8-9 ESV)
Christians are also commanded to do unto others as we wish they would do unto us (Matthew 7:12). Again, Richard Phillips writes, “A person who “does justice” is one who treats people right, offering respect, integrity and fairness.” And God has promised to bless those who do (Psalm 106:3).
Is your life characterized as one who shows justice? Is your heart bent toward prejudice?
Scriptures for meditation:
Amos 5:22-24