Judges and Justice in the Bible
We know that true justice can only come from God's heart. While studying social justice in the Bible, several scriptures pertain to the Lord delivering the poor and needy. God has a heart for the oppressed and the afflicted, but he is still a just God and will not judge on behalf of the poor because they are poor. Exodus 23:3 reads, “Nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his poverty.”
There is right and wrong, good and evil, light and darkness. This knowledge comes from God. To decide for the right, good and the light is justice. Leviticus 19:15 is gives straightforward instructions. “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.”
Here are other scriptures confirming that the Lord demands impartiality in judging as witnesses and judges:
Deuteronomy 16:18-19 “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns, which the Lord your God is giving to you, to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality.”
Deuteronomy 1:16-17 “I charged your judges at that time: Hear the disputes between your brothers and judge fairly, between one person and another, whether a brother or a resident alien. You shall not show partiality in judgment: you shall hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God.”
Deuteronomy 10:17: “The Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who does not show favoritism and does not accept a bribe.”
According to the scripture above, the Lord our God does not show favoritism when judging. He expects those who have delegated authority to rule according to his justice. When those with delegated authority show partiality, it opens the doors to corruption. Proverbs 23:23-25 reads, “Partiality in judging is not good. Whoever says to the wicked, ‘You are in the right,’ will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing welcome upon them.”
What a tremendous promise to those who will judge and rule without partiality. The New Testament scriptures have the same foundations and tone on judging and partiality.
Acts 10:34 reads, “So Peter opened his mouth and said: Truly I understand that God shows no partiality.”
Romans 2:11 reads, “For God shows no partiality.
Ephesians 6:9 reads, “Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven and that there is no partiality with him.”
Mark 12:14 reads, “And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?”
James 2:8-13 reads, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. Whoever keeps the whole law but fails at one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So, speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
These scriptures reveal God’s heart when judging. Judges’ decisions are political, corrupt, and twisted in many countries, including the United States. Why do they do this? The answer is power and money. The scripture is clear that the love of money is the root of all evil. Judges are persuaded because they are paid off, bribed, or even blackmailed. Judges who accept bribes are blind and full of darkness. Exodus 23:8 reads, “You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the righteous.”
1Timonty 2:2 reads, “Pray for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
One thing the church can do is pray for God to establish righteous judges at every level of government and expose the corruption in our judicial system. Light is the best disinfectant against the darkness and evil in many judicial decisions today. God is not blind or deaf; he will hear the prayers of his people, especially those who are oppressed by wicked, corrupt judges.