Justice: God: Delights In
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Justice is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's character and His expectations for human conduct. The concept of justice in the biblical sense encompasses righteousness, fairness, and the equitable treatment of all individuals. God's delight in justice is evident throughout Scripture, where He is portrayed as a just ruler who desires His people to embody justice in their lives.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently affirms that God is just and that He delights in justice. In Deuteronomy 32:4, God is described as "The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This verse underscores the perfection and righteousness inherent in God's nature, establishing Him as the ultimate standard of justice.

God's Delight in Justice

God's delight in justice is explicitly stated in several passages. In Jeremiah 9:24, the Lord declares, "But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice, and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things," declares the LORD. This verse highlights that justice is not merely an obligation but a source of divine pleasure.

Similarly, Proverbs 21:3 states, "To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice." This indicates that God values justice and righteousness above ritualistic offerings, emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior and moral integrity.

Justice in Human Conduct

God's delight in justice extends to His expectations for human conduct. Micah 6:8 succinctly captures this requirement: "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?" Here, acting justly is presented as a fundamental aspect of living in accordance with God's will.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks to this in Isaiah 1:17, urging the people to "learn to do right; seek justice, correct the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." This call to action reflects God's concern for the vulnerable and His desire for His people to uphold justice in their communities.

Divine Justice and Human Responsibility

The Bible presents God as the ultimate judge who will execute justice on the earth. Psalm 9:7-8 declares, "But the LORD abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment. He judges the world with justice; He governs the people with equity." God's governance is characterized by fairness and impartiality, serving as a model for human justice systems.

In the New Testament, Jesus embodies and teaches the principles of divine justice. In Matthew 23:23, He criticizes the religious leaders for neglecting "the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness." This rebuke underscores the importance of prioritizing justice in religious practice.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, God's delight in justice is evident in His character, His commands, and His expectations for humanity. As the ultimate standard of justice, God calls His people to reflect His righteousness in their interactions with others, ensuring that justice prevails in all aspects of life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Proverbs 11:1
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether by Divine Justice an Eternal Punishment is Inflicted on ...
... Hence Gregory says (Dial. iv): "Almighty God on account of His loving kindness delights
not in the torments of the unhappy, but on account of His justice. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether by divine justice an.htm

On the Restoration of Man
... accidentally, through this circumstance, that God delights in mercy ... right, except
after his justice had been ... fulfilling of this mediation, God has constituted ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxxiii on the restoration.htm

The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is ...
... your desires, your fears, your joys, and delights, your affections ... and stupid, without
any sensible apprehension of God, his mercy, or justice, or wrath ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xi the knowledge that.htm

God Proclaiming his Own Name
... plunged into idolatry, and wallowed in sensuous delights. ... qualities of merciful
forgiveness and retributive justice. The 'attributes' which separate God from us ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/god proclaiming his own name.htm

The Mercy of God
... expressions to set forth God's mercy, and but one to set forth his justice: who
will ... [2] God is more ... Mercy is his darling attribute, which he most delights in. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/9 the mercy of god.htm

The Torments of Giant Bad Feelings
... Then I moved out of the Vale of Sighs to this Vale of Hidden Delights.". ... 4. God planted
in man the sense of justice. God made man in His own image. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter ten the torments of.htm

The Throne of Grace
... my prayer comes up no longer to a throne of absolute justice, but to ... yet of the
suppliant shall shut out our petitions from the God who delights in broken ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the throne of grace.htm

How Charity Comprehends all the virtues.
... [519] Now, in man there is a place of delights, whence God makes the ... of the good
we are to do and pursue.2?�. Over our will it makes justice stream out ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii how charity comprehends.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man. [*Continued]
... mercy. Justice, in this reference, is out of the question. Now ... snow. The great
God delights to forgive, and is waiting to forgive. But ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man 2.htm

The Way to God
... God is necessarily just, and justice cannot endure a sin. ... he must flagellate his
poor back till the blood runs down in streams, their god delights in the blood ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the way to god.htm

Resources
Did God sacrifice Himself to Himself to save us from Himself because of a rule He made Himself? | GotQuestions.org

What is the social gospel? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian be a vigilante? | GotQuestions.org

Justice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Justice

Justice: Apostles

Justice: Brings Its own Reward

Justice: Christ, an Example of

Justice: Commanded

Justice: David

Justice: General Scriptures Concerning

Justice: Gifts Impede

Justice: God: Delights In

Justice: God: Displeased With the Want of

Justice: God: Gives Wisdom to Execute

Justice: God: Requires

Justice: God: Sets the Highest Value On

Justice: Joseph

Justice: Josiah

Justice: Moses

Justice: Promises To

Justice: Saints should Always Do

Justice: Saints should Pray for Wisdom to Execute

Justice: Saints should Receive Instruction In

Justice: Saints should Study the Principles of

Justice: Saints should Take Pleasure in Doing

Justice: Saints should Teach Others to Do

Justice: Samuel

Justice: Solomon

Justice: Specially Required in Rulers

Justice: The Wicked: Abhor

Justice: The Wicked: Afflict Those Who Act With

Justice: The Wicked: Banish

Justice: The Wicked: Call not For

Justice: The Wicked: Pass Over

Justice: The Wicked: Scorn

Justice: To be Done in Buying and Selling

Justice: To be Done in Executing Judgment

Justice: To be Done: To Servants

Justice: To be Done: To the Fatherless and Widows

Justice: To be Done: To the Poor

The Justice of God is a Part of his Character

The Justice of God: Acknowledge

The Justice of God: Declared to be without Respect of Persons

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Impartial

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Incomparable

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Incorruptible

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Plenteous

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: The Habitation of his Throne

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Undeviating

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Unfailing

The Justice of God: Denied by the Ungodly

The Justice of God: Exhibited in all his Ways

The Justice of God: Exhibited in Forgiving Sins

The Justice of God: Exhibited in His Government

The Justice of God: Exhibited in His Judgments

The Justice of God: Exhibited in Redemption

The Justice of God: Exhibited in The Final Judgment

The Justice of God: Magnify

The Justice of God: Not to be Sinned Against

Related Terms

Equity (19 Occurrences)

Pervert (18 Occurrences)

Justly (22 Occurrences)

Judicial (2 Occurrences)

Right (4703 Occurrences)

Judgment (430 Occurrences)

Judging (141 Occurrences)

Executes (11 Occurrences)

Deprive (17 Occurrences)

Judge (297 Occurrences)

Suit (15 Occurrences)

Executed (39 Occurrences)

Bribe (27 Occurrences)

Injustice (32 Occurrences)

Sanhedrin (19 Occurrences)

Fatherless (44 Occurrences)

Blindness (7 Occurrences)

Maintain (50 Occurrences)

Execute (83 Occurrences)

Orphan (25 Occurrences)

Quench (14 Occurrences)

Vindication (14 Occurrences)

Upheld (15 Occurrences)

Wrest (8 Occurrences)

Reconcilation

Administered (9 Occurrences)

Atonement (112 Occurrences)

Oppressor (28 Occurrences)

Perverted (26 Occurrences)

Loves (97 Occurrences)

Uphold (30 Occurrences)

Dike

Due (93 Occurrences)

Needy (83 Occurrences)

Unjust (44 Occurrences)

Oppressed (81 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Paths (65 Occurrences)

Ought (130 Occurrences)

Just (1529 Occurrences)

Living (3112 Occurrences)

Latter (91 Occurrences)

Wick (10 Occurrences)

Ignored (6 Occurrences)

Fugitive (12 Occurrences)

Tyrannize (1 Occurrence)

Righteously (22 Occurrences)

Robbed (27 Occurrences)

Establishing (18 Occurrences)

Diadem (9 Occurrences)

Mall (1 Occurrence)

Moderately (1 Occurrence)

Mint (2 Occurrences)

Paralyzed (11 Occurrences)

Practiced (22 Occurrences)

Partial (14 Occurrences)

Punishment (417 Occurrences)

Prevails (6 Occurrences)

Bribes (14 Occurrences)

Beset (16 Occurrences)

Conscience (36 Occurrences)

Controversy (21 Occurrences)

Chastisement (24 Occurrences)

Chastening (11 Occurrences)

Alms (13 Occurrences)

Almsgiving (3 Occurrences)

Administer (10 Occurrences)

Surrender (18 Occurrences)

Dispute (37 Occurrences)

Woe (102 Occurrences)

Affliction (120 Occurrences)

Violence (98 Occurrences)

Sanctification (13 Occurrences)

Wormwood (10 Occurrences)

Gate (248 Occurrences)

Oppression (67 Occurrences)

Habitation (90 Occurrences)

Delighted (56 Occurrences)

Deny (48 Occurrences)

Justice: Gifts Impede
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