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God Loves Justice God is a God of Justice and set forth regulations that His people would live justly so as to protect the innocent, punish the wicked, and preserve the righteous. |
God Loves Justice
It is clear from our reading last week (Deut. 16-21) that God expected His people to practice justice. It is a quality seen in God (Ps. 89:14; Deut. 32:4), praised in godly men (Gen. 18:19; 2 Sam. 8:15), and expected of His people (Deut. 10:12-13; Micah 6:8). When practiced it:
- Protects The Innocent
- God’s laws were designed so as ensure that an innocent person was not false accused or wrongly punished.
- He provided for judges (16:18-20; 17:8-10), required investigation into charges against another (13:12-14; 17:2-4), and required multiple witnesses (17:6-7; 19:15-20). Provided even for protection of accidental killings (19:4-10) and just judgments (19:21).
- Punishes The Wicked
- But there is also a reminder that one is responsible for their actions (Ex. 34:7; Eze. 18:20).
- While investigation must be made, once guilt was determined, punishment was described and to be carried out without pity (13:15-16, 18; 17:5, 6-7, 10-12; 19:11-13, 21).
- Preserves The Righteous
- In properly administering justice, they will put away evil from them and encourage one another to do right (13:18; 17:13; 19:13, 19-20).
- Solomon realized that things would not go well when justice was perverted (Eccl. 8:11).
God is just; He will not acquit the guilty or convict the innocent (1 Pet. 2:23; Rev. 16:7; 2 Thess. 1:6-10); as we walk with Him we can take comfort in that fact (2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2:13-14; Titus 2:11-15).
