Always be fair and just, so that you will occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you and so that you will continue to live there.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: DEUTERONOMY 16:20

Always be fair and just, so that you will occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you and so that you will continue to live there.

TODAY'S READING:

The Administration of Justice

18“Appoint judges and other officials in every town that the Lord your God gives you. These men are to judge the people impartially.19 They are not to be unjust or show partiality in their judgments; and they are not to accept bribes, for gifts blind the eyes even of wise and honest men, and cause them to give wrong decisions.20Always be fair and just, so that you will occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you and so that you will continue to live there.

21 “When you make an altar for the Lord your God, do not put beside it a wooden symbol of the goddess Asherah.22 And do not set up any stone pillar for idol worship; the Lord hates them.

1“Do not sacrifice to the Lord your God cattle or sheep that have any defects; the Lord hates this.

2“Suppose you hear that in one of your towns some men or women have sinned against the Lord and broken his covenant3 by worshiping and serving other gods or the sun or the moon or the stars, contrary to the Lord's command.4If you hear such a report, then investigate it thoroughly. If it is true that this evil thing has happened in Israel,5then take them outside the town and stone them to death.6 However, they may be put to death only if two or more witnesses testify against them; they are not to be put to death if there is only one witness.7 The witnesses are to throw the first stones, and then the rest of the people are to stone them; in this way you will get rid of this evil.

8“It may be that some cases will be too difficult for the local judges to decide, such as certain cases of property rights or of bodily injury or those cases that involve a distinction between murder and manslaughter. When this happens, go to the one place of worship chosen by the Lord your God,9and present your case to the levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time, and let them decide the case.10They will give their decision, and you are to do exactly as they tell you.11Accept their verdict and follow their instructions in every detail.12Anyone who dares to disobey either the judge or the priest on duty is to be put to death; in this way you will remove this evil from Israel.13Then everyone will hear of it and be afraid, and no one else will dare to act in such a way.

REFLECT:

Israel’s system of local government and courts was unique because it was based on God’s laws and the command to treat all people equally, whether they were rich or poor, powerful or weak. How does that system compare with the legal system today? Does today’s legal system operate fairly and impartially?

#PRAY

Merciful and loving God, teach me to be fair and impartial in all my dealings with others. May I be guided by your laws and your righteousness. Amen.