This is not the later Judaistic legalism with its merit and reward, where God's justice is simply a matter of giving each man what he has earned. Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. He evenhandedly rewards good, and he does not ignore the sins of any ( Psalm 33:5 ; Psalms 37:6 Psalms 37:28 ; 97:2 ; 99:4 ). This philosophical issue of theodicy underlies the story of Job. When most modern people see the word “righteousness” in the Bible, they tend to think of it in terms of private morality, such as sexual chastity or diligence in prayer and Bible study. Its most basic meaning is to treat people equitably. I remember being quite surprised. Anyone who does the same wrong should be given the same penalty. Neither station nor bribe nor popular clamor shall influence judge or witness. Bibliography. The Hebrew word for justice appears over 200 times in the Old Testament. Not giving generously, then, is not stinginess but unrighteousness, a violation of God’s law. Realize, then, how significant it is that the biblical writers introduce God as “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows” (Psalm 68:4-5). When people ask me, “How do you want to be introduced?” I usually propose they say, “This is Tim Keller, minister at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City.” Of course, I am many other things, but that is the main thing I spend my time doing in public life. Torah Misinai (TOH-rah mee-see-NAI) "Torah from Mount Sinai." Our English word "justice" can cover both of those just like the Hebrew. Thus God remains a righteous judge even as he justifies those sinners who believe in Christ ( Luke 18:14 ; Gal 3:11-13 ). But God's justice is far more than this. Al Mohler Has Made His Christian Case for Voting Trump, John Kingston: 2020 Could Be the Beginning of an American Comeback, All Christians Should Oppose the Death Penalty, 5 Burning Questions We Have About Earth’s Application to the Galactic Federation, Jupiter and Saturn’s Closest Alignment in 800 Years Will Create an Actual ‘Christmas Star’. We get more insight when we consider a second Hebrew word that can be translated as “being just,” though it usually translated as “being righteous.” The word is tzadeqah, and it refers to a life of right relationships. The idea of merit and reward is really superseded by a higher viewpoint in the teaching of Jesus. According to the Sinai covenant, judges are to uphold the Mosaic law by acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty. And this word “justice” it’s the Hebrew word mishpat. Once (Acts 28:4) it refers to Justice “personified as a deity” [16] and three times (Acts 25:15; 2 Thess. is rendering to every one that which is his due. Justice in the New Testament. In a larger sense justice is not only giving to others their rights, but involves the active duty of establishing their rights. At the same time, God rarely delivers instant justice. It's derived from צדק / tsedek, the word used for "justice" in both Modern and Biblical Hebrew. The Greek word for justice used in the New Testament is dikaios, which appears over two hundred times. It appears as retributive justice, "that reaction of His holy will, as grounded in His eternal being, against evil wherever found." He identifies with the powerless. In the book of Job, we see Job call every failure to help the poor a sin, offensive to God’s splendor (Job 31:23) and deserving of judgment and punishment (v. 28). It is as if God was telling his people that the quest for justice never stays won. The Psalmist confidently depends upon the righteousness of God though he knows that no man is righteous in God's sight (Psalms 143:1,2; compare Psalms 7:8; 18:20-24). "Justice, justice shalt thou follow" (Deuteronomy 16:20; compare Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Exodus 23:1-3,6-9). See Comm., and Biblical Theologies under "Justice" and "Righteousness," and especially Cremer, Biblical-Theol. … It could also mean respectfully putting pressure on a local police department until they respond to calls and crimes as quickly in the poor part of town as in the prosperous part. It is striking to see how often God is introduced as the defender of these vulnerable groups. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Psalm 72 is a prayer for a king who would protect the poor, a psalm that looks beyond Solomon to an ideal just king. The mere give-and-take justice is not enough. 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