Hate evil, love good and establish justice in the gate; . . . Amos 5:15 Establish – Amos was God’s ambassador. He came with a burning desire to see God’s people restored. He exhorted them to heed his warning. There was a way of avoiding judgment, a way that required nothing more complicated than hating…
They are dreaded and feared; their justice and authority originate with themselves. Habakkuk 1:7 With Themselves – The Chaldeans are coming! Habakkuk’s warning is a call to immediate repentance in advance of certain destruction. God’s people are about to be chastised in a most severe way. As if that isn’t bad enough, Habakkuk provides an…
He has declared to you, man, what is good; and what does YHWH require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 What Is Good – Pilate asked, “What is truth?” He didn’t realize that he was asking the wrong question. The question he…
Baruch Levine emphasizes one of the most important characteristics of the Hebrew view of law when he says: . . . the laws of the Torah did not permit Israelites to expiate intentional or premeditated offenses by means of sacrifice. There was no vicarious, ritual remedy – substitution of one’s property or wealth – for…
When a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall repay five cattle for an ox and four of a flock animal for a sheep. Exodus 21:37 Repay – The biblical principle of justice is straightforward and simple. Perpetrators repay victims. You will notice as you read the…
“Vengeance and retribution belong to Me; in due time their foot will slip; for the day of their calamity is near; and the things prepared are hurrying for them.” Deuteronomy 32:35 In Due Time – God will avenge. Great! When? “In due time.” So, what time is that? Coming to terms with the way God…
I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness. Micah 7:9 Will Bring Me Out – There is nothing more destructive than secrets. In fact, you…
I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness. Micah 7:9 Justice – Justice at last. The path to justice includes experiencing my guilt, carrying the…
I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness. Micah 7:9 Pleads – You’re caught. You are arrested and charged. There’s not much point in resisting…
I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness. Micah 7:9 Until – “How long, O Lord, how long?” Until. That’s the word ‘ad. The phrase…
