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Topic: Pure Justice
[DCLM Daily Manna Thursday July 5, 2018]
Text: Exodus 21:12-25 (KJV)
Key Verse:
“But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die” (Exodus 21:14).
MESSAGE:
Since the 15th century, the statue of Lady Justice has been depicted in courts all over the world wearing a blindfold. One may wonder, ‘why the blindfold?’ It represents objectivity in meting out justice, without fear or favour, regardless of identity, money, power or weakness.
In our text, Moses was handed the Ten Commandments, with detailed instructions on punishment for offenders. Murderers are to be executed, except in cases of manslaughter without premeditation, where the accused is permitted to seek refuge from the avenger of blood in the city of refuge. The law prescribed the principle of retribution for injuries caused to others.
These laws are put in place as deterrents and warnings to would-be offenders that justice will be meted out without fear or favour. Mercy and truth must go together in a just society. Moses was commanded to ensure that credible judges were appointed to enforce these laws. The appointed judges must be people of high integrity, not accused of taking bribes to miscarry justice.
The present-day laws are sourced primarily from the Law of Moses. Murder is still punishable by death in many countries, except in nations where life imprisonment for such offenders is prescribe. Despite the increase of judges and creation of the International Criminal Court, some rich and well-connected offenders evade justice due to the loopholes in the system. No matter how laws are enforced, a day is coming when God shall judge the world in righteousness. In the light of this, we should ensure we live right and avoid anything that will condemn us before God.
Thought For The Day: Judges give judgments, but God gives justice.
Bible Reading In One Year: 2 Kings 12-13; 2 Chronicles 24
