Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 1:9-18.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%201&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then I charged your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your fellow countrymen, and judge righteously between a man and his fellow countryman, or the alien who is with him.  You shall not show partiality in judgment;  you shall hear the small and the great alike.  You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God’s.  …”  Deuteronomy 1:16-17.  

——————-

We continue to consider the importance of justice to the LORD.

In brief review, in the July 18, 2023 devotion, we considered that a trial by jury is one of the pillars of justice and should be treasured as a provision of the LORD.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

In today’s devotion, we consider that impartiality in judgment is another pillar of justice.  “You shall not show partiality in judgment;  you shall hear the small and the great alike.  You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God’s.  …”  Verse 17. 

“There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.” Romans 2:9-11.

Let us consider that the temptation to be partial in judgment is greater in difficult (close) cases than it is in easy cases. 

In a case in which it is easy to decide who is right and who is wrong, then it is easy to be impartial and give judgment in favor of the right one.  A judge would know that if he or she gave judgment to the wrong one, then many others would be critical of the obvious partiality by the judge and the judge could lose his or her position as judge.  

But, in a case that it is difficult to determine who is right, there is more temptation to be partial. In a difficult (close) case, there are evidence and arguments supporting each side (person) and a judge could get away with being partial in judgment. The judge could hide his or her partiality, because there were evidence and arguments supporting the decision of the judge.    

In order to consider this point further of the temptation to be partial in a difficult case, let us use an actual case that King Solomon decided that is in 1 Kings 3:16-28.  In brief summary, two woman lived alone in the same house, there were no other witnesses, and each woman gave birth to a child within three days of each other.  One of the children died, and each woman claimed that the surviving child was her own child. If there was some judge deciding this case other than Solomon, and the judge liked something about one of the women, then that judge could be tempted to rule in favor of that woman, knowing that such partiality could be easily hidden.

But, we know that Solomon decided this case and used his wisdom, not partiality in judgment, to base his judgment. Solomon showed his impartiality in the words that he used to base his judgment. “The king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son and said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!” Then the king said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.” 1 Kings 3:25-27.   

“When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.”  1 Kings 3:28.

But, there is hope for us too!

First of all, and above all, God is in perfect total sovereign control. “but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:24.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  James 1:5.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24.