Justice Is GraceJustice Is GraceMicah 6:8Micah 6:8

God’s JusticeGod’s Justice• 3 3 “I will proclaim the name of the LORD; “I will proclaim the name of the LORD;

ascribe greatness to our God! ascribe greatness to our God! 4 4 The Rock! His The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.” righteous and upright is He.” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4)(Deuteronomy 32:3-4)

God’s JusticeGod’s Justice• 23 23 Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man

boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; boast of his riches; 24 24 but let him who boasts but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

• For I, the LORD, love justice… (Isaiah 61:8)For I, the LORD, love justice… (Isaiah 61:8)

Justice HelpsJustice Helps• 7 7 [The LORD] executes [The LORD] executes justicejustice for the for the

oppressed; He oppressed; He gives foodgives food to the hungry. The to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free. LORD sets the prisoners free. 8 8 The LORD The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises up opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous; the righteous; 9 9 the LORD protects the the LORD protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow, but He thwarts the way of the wicked. widow, but He thwarts the way of the wicked. 10 10 The LORD will reign forever, Your God, O The LORD will reign forever, Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD! Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 146:7-10)(Psalm 146:7-10)

Justice HelpsJustice Helps• Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to

you, and He waits on high to have you, and He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him. (Isaiah 30:18)for Him. (Isaiah 30:18)

Justice is LoveJustice is Love• 4 4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; For the word of the LORD is right and true;

He is faithful in all He does. He is faithful in all He does. 5 5 He loves He loves righteousness and righteousness and justicejustice; the earth is full of ; the earth is full of His unfailing His unfailing lovelove. (Psalm 33:4-5). (Psalm 33:4-5)

Justice is DefenseJustice is Defense• 14 14 To the LORD your God belong the heavens, To the LORD your God belong the heavens,

even the highest heavens, the earth and even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. everything in it. 15 15 Yet the LORD set his Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, affection on your forefathers and loved them, and He chose you, their descendants, above and He chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. all the nations, as it is today. 16 16 So circumcise So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer. your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer. 17 17

For the LORD your God is the God of gods For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. partiality nor take a bribe.

Justice is DefenseJustice is Defense• 18 18 He executes He executes justicejustice for the orphan and the for the orphan and the

widow, and shows His widow, and shows His lovelove for the alien by for the alien by giving him food and clothing. giving him food and clothing. 19 19 So show your So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:16-19)land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:16-19)

Justice and RightsJustice and Rights• ““There shall be one standard [There shall be one standard [mishpatmishpat] for ] for

you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the LORD your God.” native, for I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 24:22)(Leviticus 24:22)

• 1 1 Woe to those who enact evil statutes and to Woe to those who enact evil statutes and to those who constantly record unjust decisions, those who constantly record unjust decisions, 2 2 so as to deprive the needy of justice and rob so as to deprive the needy of justice and rob the poor of My people of their rights the poor of My people of their rights [[mishpatmishpat], making widows their prey and ], making widows their prey and robbing the orphans. (Isaiah 10:1-2)robbing the orphans. (Isaiah 10:1-2)

Justice and RightsJustice and Rights• 88 Speak up for those who cannot speak for Speak up for those who cannot speak for

themselves, for the rights of all who are themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. destitute. 99 Open your mouth, judge Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the righteously, defend the rights of the oppressed and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9)oppressed and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Justice and RightsJustice and Rights• 9 9 “Thus says the LORD Almighty, ‘Dispense “Thus says the LORD Almighty, ‘Dispense

true justice and practice kindness [true justice and practice kindness [hesedhesed] and ] and compassion each to his brother; compassion each to his brother; 10 10 and do not and do not oppress the oppress the widowwidow or the or the orphanorphan, the , the foreignerforeigner or the or the poorpoor; and do not devise evil ; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’” in your hearts against one another.’” (Zechariah 7:9-11)(Zechariah 7:9-11)

Justice and the PoorJustice and the Poor• The righteous man is concerned for the rights The righteous man is concerned for the rights

of the poor, the wicked man does not of the poor, the wicked man does not understand such concern. (Proverbs 29:7)understand such concern. (Proverbs 29:7)

• He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. (Proverbs 14:31)Him. (Proverbs 14:31)

Justice and DeliveranceJustice and Deliverance• ““In the widest sense, justice means ‘to put things In the widest sense, justice means ‘to put things

right,’ to intervene in a situation that is wrong, right,’ to intervene in a situation that is wrong, oppressive, or out of control and to ‘fix’ it. This may oppressive, or out of control and to ‘fix’ it. This may include confronting include confronting wrongdoerswrongdoers, on the one hand, , on the one hand, and, on the other hand, vindicating and delivering and, on the other hand, vindicating and delivering those who have been those who have been wrongedwronged… That is why the … That is why the figures in the book of Judges have that name. They figures in the book of Judges have that name. They ‘judged’ Israel by putting things right – militarily, ‘judged’ Israel by putting things right – militarily, religiously, legally – with Samuel being the model of religiously, legally – with Samuel being the model of all three… Justice…means taking upon oneself the all three… Justice…means taking upon oneself the cause of those who are weak in their own defense.” cause of those who are weak in their own defense.” - Wright, - Wright, Old Testament Ethics for the People of GodOld Testament Ethics for the People of God

Justice and RighteousnessJustice and Righteousness• Thus says the LORD, “Do Thus says the LORD, “Do justicejustice and and

righteousnessrighteousness, and deliver the one who has , and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the foreigner, the orphan, or the violence to the foreigner, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place...” (Jeremiah 22:3)this place...” (Jeremiah 22:3)

Justice and RighteousnessJustice and Righteousness• 1 Give the king Your justice, O God, and Your

righteousness to the king’s son. 2 May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice. (Psalm 72:1-2)

• Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; lovingkindness and truth go before You. (Psalm 89:14)

Justice and RighteousnessJustice and Righteousness• So David reigned over all Israel; and he So David reigned over all Israel; and he

administered administered justicejustice and and righteousnessrighteousness for all for all his people. (1 Chronicles 18:14)his people. (1 Chronicles 18:14)

• How blessed are those who keep How blessed are those who keep justicejustice, who , who practice practice righteousnessrighteousness at all times! at all times! (Psalm 106:3)(Psalm 106:3)

Justice and RighteousnessJustice and Righteousness• 6 6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be

given to us; and the government will rest on given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Father, Prince of Peace. 7 7 Of the increase of Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with with justicejustice and and righteousnessrighteousness from that time from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

True JusticeTrue Justice• ““The The mishpatmishpat, or justness, of a society, , or justness, of a society,

according to the Bible, is evaluated by how it according to the Bible, is evaluated by how it treats these groups. Any neglect shown to treats these groups. Any neglect shown to the needs of the members of this quartet the needs of the members of this quartet [the widow, the orphan, the refugee or poor] [the widow, the orphan, the refugee or poor] is not called merely a lack of mercy or charity, is not called merely a lack of mercy or charity, but a violation of justice, of but a violation of justice, of mishpatmishpat. God . God loves and defends those with the least loves and defends those with the least economic and social power, and so should economic and social power, and so should we. That is what it means to ‘do justice.’”we. That is what it means to ‘do justice.’” - Keller, - Keller, Generous Justice Generous Justice

Do JusticeDo Justice• 18 18 “‘Cursed is he who misleads a blind person “‘Cursed is he who misleads a blind person

on the road.’ And all the people shall say, on the road.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ‘Amen.’ 19 19 Cursed is he who distorts the Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” (Deuteronomy 27:18-19)(Deuteronomy 27:18-19)

Do JusticeDo Justice• 1 1 God takes His stand in His own God takes His stand in His own

congregation; He judges in the midst of the congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers. rulers. 2 2 How long will you judge unjustly and How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?... show partiality to the wicked?... 3 3 Vindicate Vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute. afflicted and destitute. 4 4 Rescue the weak and Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 82:1-4)wicked. (Psalm 82:1-4)

Justice Proves…Justice Proves…• 13 13 “Woe to him who builds his palace by “Woe to him who builds his palace by

unrighteousnessunrighteousness, his upper rooms by , his upper rooms by injusticeinjustice, making his countrymen work for , making his countrymen work for nothing, not paying them for their labor. nothing, not paying them for their labor. 14 14 He says, ‘I will build myself a great palace He says, ‘I will build myself a great palace with spacious upper rooms.’ So he makes with spacious upper rooms.’ So he makes large windows in it, panels it with cedar and large windows in it, panels it with cedar and decorates it in red. decorates it in red. 15 15 Are you a king because Are you a king because you have a beautiful cedar palace? Did not you have a beautiful cedar palace? Did not your father eat and drink and do your father eat and drink and do justicejustice and and righteousnessrighteousness? Then it was well with him. ? Then it was well with him.

Justice Proves…Justice Proves…• 16 16 He defended the cause of the poor and He defended the cause of the poor and

needy, and so all went well. needy, and so all went well. Is that not what Is that not what it means to know me?it means to know me?” declares the LORD. ” declares the LORD. 17 17 But your eyes and your heart are set only But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain, on shedding innocent on dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion.” blood and on oppression and extortion.” (Jeremiah 22:13-17)(Jeremiah 22:13-17)

Justice Is FundamentalJustice Is Fundamental• ““For I have chosen him, so that he may For I have chosen him, so that he may

command his children and his household command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing doing righteousnessrighteousness and and justicejustice, so that the , so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” (Genesis 18:19)spoken about him.” (Genesis 18:19)

Doing JusticeDoing Justice• 6 6 With what shall I come to the LORD and bow With what shall I come to the LORD and bow

myself before the God on high? Shall I come to myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? 7 7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness [justice, to love kindness [hesedhesed], and to walk ], and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6-8)humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6-8)

Doing JusticeDoing Justice• To do righteousness and justice is desired by To do righteousness and justice is desired by

the Lord more than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)the Lord more than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)

• “…“…you have neglected the more important you have neglected the more important matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith” matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith” ((Matthew 23:23Matthew 23:23))

Justice Is GraceJustice Is Grace• Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to

you…For the LORD is a God of justice… you…For the LORD is a God of justice… (Isaiah 30:18)(Isaiah 30:18)

Justice Is GraceJustice Is Grace• 17 17 “You shall not pervert the “You shall not pervert the justice due to the justice due to the

sojournersojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge, garment in pledge, 18 18 but you shall remember but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this. command you to do this. 19 19 When you reap your When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, field, you shall not go back to get ityou shall not go back to get it. It shall be . It shall be for the sojournerfor the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, , the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 24:17-19)work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 24:17-19)