Biblical teachings on Justice in the Old Testament
Answer Text: Biblical teachings on Justice (Old Testament).- Justice is the state of being right and fair as already explained earlier in this chapter.- In the Old Testament, with the intention of restoring justice, God punished the Israelites when they failed to keep the social demand of the law.- God used punishment to purify the nation of Israel. For example,(i) King David was condemned by Prophet Nathan for abusing his office and practicing injustice.- The king unjustly took Bathsheba for himself and arranged to have her husband, Uriah, killed at the front line of the battle. He had committed a double crime of adultery and murder.(ii) King Solomon demonstrated his belief in justice when he made a wise ruling involving two women who were arguing over the ownership of a child (1 Kings 3:16-28).- The people of Israel were impressed by the king’s judgment.(iii) The prophets also emphasized the importance of justice in the different times they prophesied to the people of Israel. For example:- Prophet Amos strongly condemned the injustice of the rich and mighty on the poor and the needy.- Prophet Micah condemned the leaders for hating justice and loving evil like murder of innocent people (Micah 3:1-3).- Prophet Isaiah condemned the law courts for acquitting the guilty for a bribe and denying justice to the poor (Isaiah 5:23-25).
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