Unit 2: The Source of Justice
Justice, Judges, and Priests | Bible Background • DEUTERONOMY 16:18–20; 17:8–13; 19:15–21 | Devotional Reading • PROVERBS 15:25–26
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will DISCOVER why God established the roles of judges, officials, and priests and what those roles entailed; VALUE people who make decisions based on God’s justice; and PRACTICE justice in our roles as leaders.
IN FOCUS
IN FOCUS
Rev. Dr. James Sheldon was the newly appointed pastor of a historic church. He spent much of his life and ministry focused on being a bridge between elected officials and the people. He was sought after to speak to critical issues affecting communities of color. He did not live in the neighborhood of his new church, and so he met with church officials to get their input. The church leaders advised him to, of course, meet with the alderman, statehouse and congressional representatives.
He personally called each and invited them to the church for a private luncheon with his church leaders. “I want to ensure a collaborative environment where we all work together for the good of the community,” Dr. Sheldon said to the chair of his board of deacons. As the party came together, the elected officials said how honored they were to meet him because of his reputation to galvanize people.
Alderman Johnson was also new, and as a Christ-follower, he wanted to make sure he served the community with integrity. As he spoke to Dr. Sheldon, he expressed his desire to work with him to get the best resources for the people. “Dr. Sheldon, I grew up in this neighborhood. When I finished my law degree and passed the bar, I promised God that I would give back to those who invested in me. There are a lot of good people here, and I believe with God’s guidance and your help, we can make a difference.”
Dr. Sheldon was relieved to have an ally who aligned with his values. For him, it was the start of a God-ordained relationship.
How important is it for church and civic leaders to work together in partnership?
KJV Deuteronomy 16:18 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
19 Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
20 That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
17:8 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;
9 And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:
10 And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:
11 According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.
12 And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.
13 And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.