Topical Bible: Justice: Moses

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Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, is often associated with the concept of justice, serving as a mediator between God and the Israelites and as a lawgiver who established a legal framework for the nation of Israel. His life and leadership are chronicled primarily in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Early Life and Call to Leadership

Moses was born during a time when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. His early life was marked by divine intervention, as he was saved from Pharaoh's decree to kill all Hebrew male infants (Exodus 2:1-10). Raised in Pharaoh's household, Moses was uniquely positioned to understand both Egyptian and Hebrew cultures. His sense of justice was evident early on when he intervened to stop an Egyptian from beating a Hebrew slave, an act that led to his flight to Midian (Exodus 2:11-15).

God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, appearing to him in a burning bush and commissioning him to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites (Exodus 3:1-10). This divine encounter set the stage for Moses' role as a deliverer and lawgiver.

The Exodus and the Giving of the Law

Moses' leadership during the Exodus is a profound demonstration of justice. Through a series of plagues, God, through Moses, executed judgment on Egypt's gods and Pharaoh's hardened heart, culminating in the Passover and the Israelites' liberation (Exodus 7-12). The crossing of the Red Sea further exemplified divine justice, as the Israelites were delivered from their pursuers (Exodus 14:21-31).

At Mount Sinai, Moses received the Ten Commandments, a foundational legal code that emphasized justice, morality, and worship (Exodus 20:1-17). The Mosaic Law, given through Moses, established a comprehensive system of justice for the Israelite community, covering civil, ceremonial, and moral aspects of life. Key principles included the protection of life, property, and personal rights, as well as provisions for the poor and marginalized (Exodus 21-23).

Moses as Judge and Mediator

Moses served as a judge for the people, resolving disputes and teaching God's statutes (Exodus 18:13-16). His father-in-law, Jethro, advised him to appoint capable men to share this burden, leading to the establishment of a judicial system that ensured justice was administered fairly and efficiently (Exodus 18:17-26).

Throughout the wilderness journey, Moses acted as a mediator between God and the Israelites, interceding on their behalf when they sinned and faced divine judgment (Exodus 32:11-14; Numbers 14:13-20). His role as an intercessor highlights the balance between justice and mercy, as he sought God's forgiveness for the people's transgressions.

Legacy of Justice

Moses' legacy as a proponent of justice is evident in his final speeches recorded in Deuteronomy, where he reiterated the importance of obedience to God's laws and the pursuit of justice: "Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you" (Deuteronomy 16:20). His life and teachings continue to influence Judeo-Christian concepts of justice, emphasizing the need for righteousness, fairness, and compassion in human affairs.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 16:15
And Moses was very wroth, and said to the LORD, Respect not you their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Moses
... of temper need not interfere with a man's courage or justice, or honest indignation
against wrong, or power of helping his fellow-men. Moses' meekness did not ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon ix moses.htm

Noah's Justice
... chapter of Galatians) to shew that these old saints had nothing to do with Moses'
law any ... This, then, was Noah's justice in God's sight, as it was Abraham's. ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon x noahs justice.htm

Moses Rightly Called a Divine Legislator, And, Though Inferior to ...
... Now Moses, to speak comprehensively, was a living law, governed by the benign ... He
also handled the administration of justice, which is that branch of knowledge ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxvi moses rightly called a.htm

A Desperate Case --How to Meet It
... Moses. He bear the wrath of God, and therein he shows more of God's justice
than Moses' broken tablets could ever do. Look thou ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a desperate casehow to meet.htm

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... both as it was first delivered to Adam and as it was given by Moses, agrees with ...
of their end, which is the glory of the wisdom, goodness and justice of God. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm

God Proclaiming his Own Name
... What Moses craved to see with his eyes was the essential divine light ... thrown into
high relief the two qualities of merciful forgiveness and retributive justice. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/god proclaiming his own name.htm

Exodus
... Then begins the Titanic struggle between Moses and Pharaoh"Moses the champion of
justice, Pharaoh the incarnation of might (v.). Blow after blow falls from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/exodus.htm

Why God Taught the Same Things by the Prophets as by Moses.
... the prophets to do the same things which He also commanded by Moses, it was on ... nor
fail in doing judgment for orphans, nor be inattentive to the justice due to ...
/.../chapter xxvii why god taught the.htm

Predestination and the Justice of God
... no unfairness in God is involved here), "For he says to Moses, 'I will ... I will have
mercy," loved Jacob in unmerited mercy, yet hated Esau with merited justice. ...
/.../handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xxv predestination and the.htm

The Epistle to the Romans. St. Paul Cannot Help Using Phrases ...
... Paul Cannot Help Using Phrases Which Bespeak the Justice of God, Even When ... away)
the foreskins of your heart;" [5808] and even of Moses: "Circumcise, therefore ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xiii the epistle to the.htm