What other biblical passages emphasize the need for justice and accountability? The Call for Justice in Judges 20:10 “We will take ten men of a hundred from all the tribes of Israel, a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand of ten thousand to obtain provisions for the troops, so that when they go to Gibeah in Benjamin they may repay the vileness that was done in Israel.” The tribes refuse to ignore the horrifying sin committed at Gibeah. Justice must be carried out, and the guilty must answer for their actions. Scripture never treats injustice lightly; the Lord expects His people to confront evil and right wrongs. Justice Reflects God’s Own Character • Psalm 89:14 — “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.” • Deuteronomy 32:4 — “He is the Rock; His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice.” Because God’s throne rests on justice, His people cannot shrug off wrongdoing. Old-Testament Commands to Pursue Justice • Deuteronomy 16:20 — “Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.” • Leviticus 19:15 — “You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great.” • Proverbs 21:3 — “Doing righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.” • Micah 6:8 — “He has shown you, O man, what is good… to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” • Isaiah 1:17 — “Learn to do right; seek justice, correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” • Amos 5:24 — “But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” • Psalm 82:3-4 — “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless… deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Personal Accountability Before the Lord • Genesis 9:5-6 — “I will demand an accounting for every human life… whoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” • Ecclesiastes 12:14 — “God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” • Jeremiah 17:10 — “I, the LORD, search the heart… to reward a man according to his deeds.” • Ezekiel 18:30 — “I will judge each of you according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD.” Justice in the Ministry of Jesus • Matthew 23:23 — “Woe to you… you have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” • Matthew 25:31-46 — The King separates sheep from goats; acts of mercy toward “the least of these” prove genuine faith, while neglect brings judgment. • Luke 3:10-14 — John the Baptist tells soldiers and tax collectors to live honestly and stop abusing power. New-Testament Calls for Community Justice • Romans 12:19 — “Do not avenge yourselves… ‘Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” • Romans 13:4 — Authorities are “God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” • James 1:27 — “Religion that God our Father accepts… is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” • James 5:4 — “The wages you failed to pay… are crying out against you… the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.” • 2 Corinthians 5:10 — “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body.” Practical Takeaways • Confront evil even when it is costly; silence enables sin to spread. • Defend the vulnerable — orphans, widows, strangers, the powerless—because God Himself champions them. • Live transparently; hidden sins will be exposed at Christ’s judgment seat. • Seek fairness in business, church, and government, refusing bribery, favoritism, or exploitation. • Trust God’s timing for ultimate recompense while actively promoting righteousness now. |
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