Links for today’s readings:
Read: Deuteronomy 16 Listen: (3:25) Read: 2 Corinthians 9 Listen: (2:26)
Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 16:20
20 Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Reflection: Sola iustitia – Justice Alone
By Erin Newton
What is justice? Is it simply enforcing what is legal? Or, as Christians, do we believe in a view of justice that exists beyond the bounds of the Constitution or any such government document?
Our contemporary culture has spoken at length about justice and across various topics from race to gender to politics to immigration. Justice is wrongfully withheld. Justice is woefully overused. Add the word “systemic” to justice and many heated debates ensue.
In his book, Ministers of Propaganda, Scott Coley examines various views taught from the pulpit that are founded on misleading rhetoric. In the final chapter, he states, “The persisting myth that we should regard those who demand systemic justice as false teachers or theological liberals is more than mere error: it presents a false image of who God is and what God requires of us.” Deuteronomy 16 supports such a claim.
In a series of instructions about festivals, including the Passover, God speaks of the importance of justice. He warns against accepting bribes because it “blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent” (v. 19). Justice is to be protected from corruption and people are to be treated fairly—equally, without discrimination.
It is fascinating that instructions about how to govern the community are sandwiched between instructions on worship, as if God is showing the people that one must have the other. There is no proper worship of God if justice is corrupted. There is no justice for the people if idols are the center of attention.
What does it mean to follow justice and to follow justice alone?
When we define justice with our government’s version of legality, we make the justice that God commands relative. It only means something if our government has decreed it so.
When we pursue justice and our own comfort, convenience, or financial gain, we are not following God’s command to keep justice pure from corruption. That sort of justice preserves the status quo.
Following justice alone is in no way a self-seeking, self-benefiting action. Coley drives home the reality of what justice looks like: “Scripture provides not a single example of a false prophet demanding justice for the oppressed. By contrast, Scripture provides many examples of God’s prophets decrying the political or religious establishment for perpetuating systemic injustice.”
To follow justice is to be a prophetic voice, and that is always a voice for the oppressed.
Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading
Jesus said: “As long as the day lasts we must carry out the work of the one who sent me; the night will soon be here when no one can work. As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world.” — John 9.4-5
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle
Read more: What You Are Doing Is Not Good
An “outsider” came in and criticized Moses’ system of justice! “What you are doing is not good!”
Read more: Are There Ashtrays in Your Elevators?
Like ashtrays in elevators, there are always systemic, tangible, widespread, societal enablements of sins.
