The Practice of Justice – The Law of God and Public Policy

The Practice of Justice
The Law of God and Public Policy

The practice of justice vindicates man and God.

“For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.” Exodus 22:9

It is important to notice one thing more about the text cited above. Whenever a complaint of injustice was lodged, a case would be brought “before God.” What actually happened, as we see in Deuteronomy 1:16-18 and Ruth 4, was that the contending parties would come before the rulers of the city, assembled in the gates of the city, and argue their positions relative to the accusation. It would be up to the judges to hear the arguments and determine which man was in the right. The phrase, “before God,” is intended to remind us of the solemnity of such proceedings. These were not actions taken merely for the sake of human well-being; the honor, presence, and truth of God were at stake whenever injustice was present. God Himself must be vindicated, and He entrusted this duty to public servants, that they might do what is right and good before Him (Rom. 13:1-4).

A healthy polis, one where justice and all its benefits obtain, will not shy away from the use of retribution when it is appropriate. Public policy should reflect a determination to “wield the sword” against all evil, so that people will fear to transgress the bounds of justice and train their hearts to do what is right and good.

Thus five facets of justice are presented in the Law of God, and we shall see how, working together, the commandments, statutes, precepts, and rules of God’s Law can help us in our day to see our way through to sustaining a more just, peaceable, dignified, and productive society.

Visit our website, www.ailbe.org, and sign up to receive our thrice-weekly devotional, Crosfigell, featuring writers from the period of the Celtic Revival and T. M.’s reflections on Scripture and the Celtic Christian tradition. Does the Law of God still apply today? Order a copy of T. M.’s book, The Ground for Christian Ethics, and study the question for yourself.

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T. M. Moore, editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001, 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.