God’s Word: The Path to Life - Justice 10-11-2020

“That’s not fair!”  As soon as children can speak, they start saying that, don’t they?  If one child gets two cookies but others get one you will hear, “that’s not fair.”

Nothing changes when we get older!  A man who gets a speeding ticket for going 70 in a 55 won’t complain too much, until he hears a pretty woman tell her story of doing the same thing, but only getting a warning; “that’s not fair!”

Equal treatment – where everyone is treated the same, and the punishment is appropriate, seems to be naturally important to everyone!  We call this justice.

 

There has always been a desperate need for justice between men, and the lack of justice not only damages peoples’ lives, but also threatens to bring down God’s judgment.  In our passage, we see an example of God’s concern for justice: READ Micah 2:9-11, 3:9-11;

 

We learn here that:

God stands against those that are unjust.

 

In the passages we read, the prophet Micah rails against the practices of those in leadership over the nation Israel, in the Northern Kingdom.  At this time in Israel the nation was safe, wealthy, and relatively powerful. Things were going well – especially for the elite class! The poor were struggling, though, and this was the issue which the prophet addressed.  He observed the wealthy and the powerful among the people, and the way they treated those beneath them, and called out their practices as evil, and worthy of judgment from God.  Here are a few of their practices Micah called out:

 

The Injustices of Israel

• 2:2, use clever laws to take a man’s properties and inheritances;
• 2:8, Abuse of immigrant and refugee;
• 2:9, taking advantage of women in their homes (single moms and widows);
• 2:11, followed fools as leaders;
• 3:2-3, taking advantage of the poor who could not defend themselves or fight the wealthy in their legal system; and
• 3:9, abhor justice and twist everything that is straight. 

 

All of these practices were evil and ungodly and abusive and oppressive – and were completely legal in that culture!  This is what Micah was talking about in 3:9 – “abhor justice and twist everything that is straight.” 

 

This book is a message of judgment against the people of Israel!  God still loved them, of course, and he sent the prophets to speak to them regarding their sin – but the promise of judgement from God was sure!

Here is just one of the passages which speak of God’s wrath against the injustices of the people, spoken to the leadership of the nation: “Therefore, on account of you, Zion will be plowed as a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, And the mountain of the temples will become high places of a forest.”  (3:12) God would raise up Assyria from the north, who would come and destroy them!

 

The message for us, 2700 years later, is a solemn warning – God calls for justice from His people, and we ignore His instruction at our peril!  Judgement comes in several forms:  God may withhold his blessings; He may allow us to lose our blessings, or fall victim to our enemies, ; He may call down some form of judgment; the scriptures give examples of all.

 

Micah teaches us that:

God’s people are to work for justice in their land.

 

God wants to live just lives, and also defend those that suffer injustices!  Here are a few ideas God has given us as we consider the fight for justice; interestingly, the fight for justice is linked with the need for kindness in at least 3 passages: (Hoseah 12:6; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 7:9)

 

God’s People and Justice

 

1) Legal fairness and equality.  “You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe.”  Deuteronomy 16:18-20

 

2) No partiality to the rich or poor.  “You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great.”  Leviticus 19:15

 

3) Care for the helpless and powerless.  “Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.”  Deuteronomy 27:19; see also Psalms 82:2-4

 

4) Think as God thinks. “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.” Proverbs 17:15)

 

This is an incredibly important issue to God; the fact that the same issue is addressed over and again, over centuries of time, show not only how important it is to God, but how often humanity fails to do, and seek, justice. 

 

God’s Word is always trustworthy, giving us counsel as to what life God can bless. 

“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God.”  (Micah 6:8)

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these podcasts with your friends and family.

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or by Liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.