The concept of the "Course of Justice" in the Bible refers to the divine and human administration of justice as outlined in the Scriptures. Justice is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's character and His expectations for human conduct. The Bible presents justice as both a divine attribute and a human responsibility, emphasizing fairness, righteousness, and impartiality.

Divine Justice

Divine justice is an intrinsic attribute of God, who is described as the ultimate judge of all the earth. In Genesis 18:25, Abraham appeals to God's justice, saying, "Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" . This passage underscores the belief that God's judgments are inherently just and righteous.

The Psalms frequently highlight God's justice. Psalm 89:14 states, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and truth go before You" . Here, justice is depicted as foundational to God's rule, intertwined with His righteousness and love.

Human Justice

Human justice, as prescribed in the Bible, is a reflection of divine justice. The Mosaic Law provided a comprehensive legal system for the Israelites, emphasizing justice in social, economic, and legal matters. Deuteronomy 16:18-20 instructs, "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Pursue justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you" .

The prophets often called Israel back to the course of justice, condemning corruption and social injustice. Micah 6:8 famously summarizes God's requirements: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" .

Justice in the New Testament

In the New Testament, justice continues to be a significant theme, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness, emphasizing that these are the weightier matters of the law (Matthew 23:23).

The apostle Paul also addresses justice, urging believers to live righteously and justly. In Romans 13:1-4, Paul discusses the role of governing authorities as God's servants to administer justice, stating, "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to bring punishment on the wrongdoer" .

Justice and the Kingdom of God

The course of justice is ultimately fulfilled in the Kingdom of God, where perfect justice will be established. Revelation 21:3-4 describes a future where God will dwell with His people, and "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" . This vision of the new heaven and new earth reflects the culmination of divine justice, where righteousness and peace will reign eternally.