WHERE IS JUSTICE?

Part 4

Proverbs 21:3, “To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

Justice is a noun, but also an action. In the Bible I find ten verbs regarding justice. This is what we are to do about it…

Think justice (Proverbs 12:5)

Seek justice (Isaiah 1:17)

Know justice (Jeremiah 5:4; 8:7; Micah 3:1)

Talk justice (Psalm 37:30; Proverbs 16:10)

Execute justice (Deuteronomy 33:21b; Psalm 106:30; Proverbs 21:3, 15; Jeremiah 7:5-7; 21:12; 22:3; 33:15-16; Ezekiel 5:8, 15; 18:8-9; Zechariah 7:9-10; 8:16) You will notice that there are many Scriptures about executing justice. It is not enough to think it is a good idea. We have to put it into practice.

Establish justice (Proverbs 29:4; Amos 5:15)

Preserve justice (Isaiah 56:1)

Follow justice (Deuteronomy 16:20)

Joy in justice (Psalm 48:11; Proverbs 21:15)

Sing of justice (Psalm 101:1)

This is all great. But we know that justice is often a hard thing to execute and even harder to receive. It is often painful for parents to discipline their children; they would rather gloss over it and hope the problem will go away. But it doesn’t work like that. Sin is like yeast and multiplies. It must be nipped in the bud. Hebrews 12:11 says, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who been trained by it.” Afterwards! Do you notice that word? Blessing comes after discipline. There are many incidents in the Bible where grievous justice was executed, but great blessing came afterwards.

Do you remember when Moses went up the mount for 40 days and nights to receive the Ten Commandments from God? The people of Israel gave up on him and cajoled Aaron to make a golden calf for them to worship. If that wasn’t enough, they let go all restraint and reveled in all kinds of disgusting behavior. When Moses came down from the mount, he was so distraught he threw the precious tablets on the ground and smashed them. He called out, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Let him come unto me?” Who came to Moses? All the Levites.

Moses then executed justice. He told the Levites to go through the camp and slay their brothers, friends and neighbors. It must have been agony for them to do such a terrible thing but they obeyed and 3,000 people died. I am sure the fear of God came into the camp. I am sure it was God’s mercy that only 3,000 died. They could have all been wiped out. But after the tragedy blessing came.

Moses told the Levites, “Today you have been ordained for the service of the Lord… Because of this, he will now give you a great blessing.” They were chosen for the priesthood. They were chosen to camp close to the tabernacle where the Shekinah glory of God dwelt. All the rest of the tribes had to camp “afar off.” You can read all about it in Exodus chapter 32 and Numbers 1:50-54; 2:1-2.

Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron also received the blessing of an “everlasting priesthood” because he was zealous for God and put to death the couple who committed adultery in the eyes of Moses and the people. (Numbers 25:6-13)

Joshua and the children of Israel were defeated by the city of Ai because of sin in the camp. When justice was executed they won the victory over their enemies. (Joshua 7)

The twins of “Salvation and Safety” and “Peace and Righteousness” are the blessings of executing justice. (Jeremiah 23:5-6; 33:15-16; Hebrews 12:11)

God orders the universe with justice and judgment. In the same way, we should order the little universe of our homes. Does that mean that parents rule with an iron rod? That their homes are religious and full of legality? Of course not. Our homes are to be spheres of love and joy, peace and happiness. They are to be like the first Eden, which means “delight”. They are to be filled with laughter and fun. They are to be sanctuaries of rest from discord and strife.

Justice comes into play when these blessings are violated. A home is no longer a haven when children are disobedient and rebellious. The parents are distressed, the children are unhappy and the atmosphere is dreadful. It is no longer heaven on earth; it is hell. When justice is executed peace reigns again. Children are secure for they have clear boundaries and know the difference between good and evil. And parents are no longer frazzled. They can enjoy life as they experience the blessing of Proverbs 29:17, “Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul.”

May God teach us how to walk in His justice.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Father, it is easy to give in to what is easy. Please help me to understand your justice and to be brave enough to stand on your side. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I’m enjoying rest from disobedient children!

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Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”

Children must be taught the clear difference between right and wrong, the clean and the unclean. * Jesus said in Luke 16:11, “He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” If our children do not learn justice in the little things of life while they are young, how will they know how to execute justice in bigger things as they grow older? Sadly, many young people, even from “Christian” homes, do not have clear insight of God’s word about conception, the sacredness of life in the womb, morality, purity and honesty. They are not able to discern clearly what is right in certain situations. Because they do not understand justice, they tolerate what God hates.

Our children must understand that justice will be executed for wrong-doing. If not, their judgment will be blurred all through their life. If we do not understand justice, we do not understand the necessity for Christ, the beloved Son of God, to die on the cross, in our place, for our sins. On the cross God’s mercy and justice came together, as they always do. Justice must be fulfilled, but God’s mercy is always available to forgive and embrace when there is repentance.

We see more examples of parental justice in the Scriptures. When the angel came to Manoah and his wife to tell them that she would conceive Samson, Manoah asked the Lord, “How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?” (Judges 13:12) The word ‘order’ is mishpat, the Hebrew word for justice. Manoah knew that he needed God’s wisdom to raise him with justice. Unfortunately, their parenting didn’t work too well. Even though they prayed for justice, they did not execute it. When Samson wanted a wife from the Philistines, instead of one of their own Israelites, they gave into his whim. Samson’s end may have been different if they had exercised justice. (Judges 14:1-3)

What kind of an earthly father did God look for when it was time to send His Son to this earth? We would think that he would choose a wealthy man who owned a big home and could provide well for the Son of God who left behind the glory of the heavenly world. Surely He would choose a man of prominence and influence in the community. Perhaps a man of great intellect. No. He looked for a very special quality—a quality that describes who God is. When Matthew 1:19 introduces Joseph, the only quality mentioned is that he is a “just” man. It is obviously the No. 1 requirement for parenting.

We notice that God looked for the same characteristic in everyone who was part of the birth of Jesus. John the Baptist’s parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth were “both righteous (just) before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luke 1:6). John the Baptist himself grew up to be a “just man” like his parents. (Mark 6:20) Simeon was also “just and devout”. The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not die until He had seen the Messiah. (Luke 2:25-35)
And Jesus Himself was called “the Just One.” (Acts 3:14; 7:52; 22:14)

One of the greatest needs of this hour is for a generation of children to rise up who know justice. We need leaders who understand justice. We need men like King David who “reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people.” (2 Samuel 8:15) We need leaders like Solomon, who rather than ask God for riches for himself, asked for “discernment to understand justice.” (1 Kings 3:11; 2 Chronicles 9:8)

We need young men like Phinehas who was not afraid to take action against evil. (Numbers 25:6-15; Psalm 106:30) We need prophets, young and old, who are not afraid to speak the word of the Lord—“Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish justice in the gate!” (Amos 5:15) We need judges in the land who will “justify the righteous and condemn the wicked”, not the other way around as so often happens today.

May God anoint us to raise children like these men.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Oh Father, please give me wisdom to teach justice to my children. May they walk in integrity, loving righteousness and hating evil. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am walking in the ways of justice.

* Leviticus 10:10-11; Psalm 34:14; 97:10; Jeremiah 15:19; Ezekiel 22:26; 44:23; Romans 12:9; Ephesians 5:11-13; 1 John 2:15-17

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

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WHERE IS JUSTICE?

Part 3

Proverbs 14:19, "The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous."

I have shared with you previously that God wants us to raise our children to be able to speak in the gates of the city. The "gates" are the legislative capitals where laws and decisions are made for communities, states and the nation. This is where we need justice to be set up again. God wants His name glorified in the gates of our cities and our land. He wants righteousness, integrity and justice to be preeminent in the gates.

The Word of God tells us that we are to...

POSSESS THE GATES.

I love the blessing Rebekah's family gave when they sent her forth to be Isaac's bride, "Be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them." (Genesis 24:60) Read also Genesis 22:17. The word "possess" in the Hebrew means 'to seize, take possession of, to occupy, to become heir.' Don't you think it is time the righteous occupied the gates of our cities and nation? We can't have righteous laws without righteous men in government. We can't have peace in the land unless the godly rule. (Proverbs 11:10-11; 14:34; 29:2)

SPEAK IN THE GATES.

Psalm 127:4-5 tells us that God wants us to train a "quiver full" of children who will rise up to "speak with the enemies in the gates." Do you notice that it says they will speak? We must train our children to contend and stand up for truth.*

PROCLAIM WISDOM IN THE GATES.

We are not to hide wisdom behind closed doors. We must raise children who will one day be able to proclaim wisdom in the chief places of the city. Proverbs 1:20-21 says that "Wisdom cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words." (Proverbs 8:1-7)

ESTABLISH JUSTICE IN THE GATES

The prophet cried out in Amos 5:15, "Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish justice in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph." We will receive the favor and blessing of the Lord when we have justice in the gates of the city and the nation.

DEFEND JUSTICE IN THE GATES

Isaiah 29:21 MLB talks about "the defender of justice" in the gates. How we need men today who will defend justice in the gates. This Scripture says there is a day coming when "the tyrant shall have vanished; the scoffer shall have ceased; and all those intent on doing evil shall be cut off, who for a word declare a person guilty, and entrap the defender of justice in the gate, and with empty arguments turn aside the person who is in the right."

We see this happening around us and even in our courts. Judges uphold evil. The media and the humanist love to trap and ridicule the righteous. But there will come a day when all this will change. God has also promised that He will give a "spirit of justice" to those who execute justice in the gates and will strengthen and give courage to those who battle to protect the gates of the city. (Isaiah 28:6)

ESTABLISH TRUTH AND PEACE IN THE GATES

Zechariah 8:16 says, "Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the justice of truth and peace in your gates..." Justice demands truth. When truth is upheld there will be peace. This is the foundation for ordering the home which continues throughout society, right up to the gates of the city and the nation. It is difficult to find men to execute justice and truth in the gates if it has not become ingrained in their lives from early childhood. This is the great task God has given to us as parents.

GUARD THE GATES

Nehemiah 11:19 talks about 172 men who guarded the gates of the city of Jerusalem.

Our cities and nation will be blessed when godly men rule in the gates. (Proverbs 31:23) I look toward the day when, "The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous." (Proverbs 14:19) And don't you think it would be wonderful for mothers and homemakers to be praised in the gates, rather than the feminists? This happened in Bible times. It can happen again. (Proverbs 31: 31)

Before these blessings come to the gates of our cities, it must come to our homes. It starts with parents who command their household in the ways of justice, who do not allow disobedience, rebellion, lies and deceit to go undisciplined. It will take parents who abhor evil and love righteousness and who teach their children to do the same.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Oh God please strengthen me to raise children who will be able to inhabit the gates of the city and bring justice, integrity and truth to our land again. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

God befriend us, as our cause is just!
~ William Shakespeare

* To read more about how to train our children to speak in the gates, go to the webpage, www.aboverubies.org and go to ARCHIVED DEVOTIONS. Click on TRAINING YOUR CHILDREN TO SPEAK, Parts 1, 2 and 3.

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WHERE IS JUSTICE?

Part 1

Micah 6:8, “What does the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

One of the primary attributes of God is that He is a God of Justice. Oh yes, He is a God of mercy and compassion too. But, if He were not just, He would not be God. The Bible says that…

He is called the God of justice. (Isaiah 30:18)

He is known by His justice. (Psalm 9:16; Exodus 7:5; Ezekiel 5:8)

All His ways are justice. (Deuteronomy 32:4; Proverbs 8:20)

He loves justice. (Psalm 33:5; 37:28)

His throne is established on justice and judgment. (Psalm 89:14; 97:2;

He guards the paths of justice. (Proverbs 2:8)

He is exalted in justice. (Isaiah 5:16)

He lives in justice. (Jeremiah 4:2)

He exercises justice in the earth. (Jeremiah 9:24; Ezekiel 5:8, 15)

He is filled with justice. (Micah 3:8)

He delights in justice. (Jeremiah 9:24)

Because we are created in His likeness, He wants us to be just people too. Micah 6:8 says, “What does the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” If justice is to be part of our lives, where should it start? God wants it to start in the home.

In the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, God said that he would not hide from Abraham what He was going to do. Why? Because of the way he parented his children. Genesis 18:17-19 says, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment…” Abraham ordered his household and trained his family in the ways of justice. Justice is close to God’s heart. It is the foundation of family life. It is the primary principle of parenting.

Justice is the use of authority to uphold what is right and fair. It is acting as a judge and rendering the proper verdict—God’s verdict. Because justice is missing from many homes today, it is missing in the nation. Often people do not understand justice because they have not experienced it. They have not experienced godly discipline in the home that teaches them right from wrong. They may have been spanked, but out of frustration and anger, and therefore have not understood righteous judgment.

Children need to know true justice growing up or they will never understand who God is. Many people have a god of their own imagination. He is whoever they want Him to be. He is tolerant of whatever they want to do. He has to fit into their ideas. We can all be guilty of falling into this trap. But God is God. He is who He is. We must understand this and give this understanding to our children. We do this by teaching them to have a clear demarcation of what is right and wrong in the sight of God.

In the book, Surveying the Evidence, the authors state, “If atheism is not normal, why do certain people become unbelievers? First of all, it is well known that the seeds of atheism can be planted early in life. One of the most dangerous contributions a parent can make toward the spiritual delinquency of his child is a failure to instill within him a wholesome respect for authority. If the parent neglects to set the proper example as an authority figure, or refuses to exercise discipline with love, he might well be rejected as an authority-figure by his child, and thus, by transference, the child ultimately may come to disdain all authority, including the Supreme Authority, God.” *

The Bible tells us that if we do not discipline our children, we honor them above God. Read 1 Samuel 2:29 and 3:13.

More next week.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, Above Rubies

PRAYER:

“Oh God, please teach me to know who you are. I want to know you and to be like you. Teach me the balance of justice and mercy. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

“The place of justice is a hallowed place.”
~ Francis Bacon, Sr.

* Surveying the Evidence by Wayne Jackson, Eric Lyons and Kyle Butt (Apologetics Press, Inc.)

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.