In the biblical context, the concept of justice is deeply rooted in the character of God and His divine law. Justice, as portrayed in the Scriptures, is not merely a legal or judicial concept but a moral and ethical one, reflecting God's righteousness and holiness. The Bible presents justice as a fundamental aspect of God's nature and His expectations for human conduct.

Old Testament Understanding

In the Old Testament, justice is a central theme, particularly in the Law of Moses. The Hebrew word for justice, "mishpat," appears frequently and is often associated with righteousness ("tzedakah"). Justice involves the fair and equitable treatment of individuals, the protection of the vulnerable, and the punishment of wrongdoing.

Deuteronomy 16:18-20 instructs the Israelites: "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 with righteous judgment. Do not deny 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 you may possess the land the LORD your God is giving you."

The role of judges and leaders in Israel was to ensure that justice was upheld according to God's law. Leaders like Moses, Joshua, and the judges of Israel were tasked with maintaining justice among the people. The prophets frequently called out the leaders and the people for failing to uphold justice, emphasizing that true worship of God was inseparable from just actions (Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8).

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, justice continues to be a significant theme, with Jesus Christ embodying and teaching the principles of divine justice. Jesus criticized the religious leaders of His time for their hypocrisy and failure to practice justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23): "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."

The New Testament also emphasizes that God is the ultimate judge who will execute perfect justice. Believers are called to live justly, reflecting God's character in their interactions with others. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 12:19 , reminds Christians: "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'"

Justice in the Kingdom of God

The Bible presents the Kingdom of God as a realm where perfect justice will be established. In Revelation 21:3-4 , the vision of the new heaven and new earth includes the eradication of injustice and suffering: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. 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.'"

Practical Implications for Believers

For Christians, the call to justice is a call to action. Believers are encouraged to advocate for the oppressed, care for the needy, and live lives that reflect God's justice. James 1:27 states: "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

In summary, justice in the Bible is a reflection of God's character and a mandate for His people. It encompasses fairness, righteousness, and the protection of the vulnerable, calling believers to live in a way that honors God's just nature.

A Relaton of the Imprisonment of Mr. John Bunyan, Minister of the ...
... HIS EXAMINATION BEFORE THE JUSTICES; HIS CONFERENCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE PEACE;
WHAT PASSED BETWEEN THE JUDGES AND HIS WIFE WHEN SHE PRESENTED A PETITION FOR ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a relaton of the imprisonment.htm

Here Followeth a Discourse Between My Wife and the Judges, with ...
... After that I had received this sentence of banishing, or hanging, from them, and
after the former admonition, touching the determination of the justices if I ...
/.../grace abounding to the chief of sinners/here followeth a discourse between.htm

Psalm LXXV.
... 5. And he saith what? "When I shall have received," he saith, "the time, [3407]
I will judge justices" (ver.2). When shall He judge justices? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxv.htm

The Sleepy Magistrates' Proclamation
... "Whereas, we, his Majesty's Justices of the ... "J. Lane. "W. Persehouse". NB"The very
justices to whose houses I was carried and who severally refused to see me! ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the sleepy magistrates proclamation.htm

The Life of Mr. Hugh M'kail.
... On Monday the 10, he and other seven received their indictment of treason, and were
summoned to appear before the justices on Wednesday Dec.12; but his torture ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr hugh 2.htm

Whether Sins once Forgiven Return through a Subsequent Sin?
... all his justices which he hath done, shall not be remembered." Now among the other
"justices" which he had done, is also his previous penance, since it was ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sins once forgiven return.htm

Here is the Sum of My Examination Before Justice Keelin, Justice ...
... sessions were to be kept in Bedford, for the county thereof, unto which I was to
be brought; and when my jailor had set me before those justices, there was a ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/here is the sum of.htm

The Substance of Some Discourse had Between the Clerk of the Peace ...
... now not knowing what they intended to do with me, upon the third of April 1661,
comes Mr Cobb unto me (as he told me), being sent by the justices to admonish me ...
/.../grace abounding to the chief of sinners/the substance of some discourse.htm

Some Carriages of the Adversaries of God's Truth with Me at the ...
... came, though my name was in the calendar, and also though both the judge and sheriff
had promised that I should appear before them, yet the justices and the ...
/.../grace abounding to the chief of sinners/some carriages of the adversaries.htm

Press Gang and Methodists
... Friday, 21."We rode to Marazion. (Vulgarly called Market-jew.) Finding the
justices were not met, we walked up St. Michael's Mount. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/press gang and methodists.htm

Justices (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Justices (2 Occurrences). Daniel 3:2 And
Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the ...
/j/justices.htm - 7k

Chapiter (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A summary in writing of such matters as are to be inquired of or presented
before justices in eyre, or justices of assize, or of the peace, in their ...
/c/chapiter.htm - 10k

Courts (59 Occurrences)
... This system was adequate for the occasion, and these courts respectively corresponded
practically to our Justices of the Peace, Mayor's Court, District Court ...
/c/courts.htm - 33k

Judicial (2 Occurrences)
... This system was adequate for the occasion, and these courts respectively corresponded
practically to our Justices of the Peace, Mayor's Court, District Court ...
/j/judicial.htm - 25k

Justice (212 Occurrences)

/j/justice.htm - 46k

Justification (6 Occurrences)

/j/justification.htm - 43k

What was the Scopes Monkey Trial? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus