Reading
SAA Notes
Fairness and justice, honesty and trustworthiness are the backdrop of heaven. Consider what the prince offered when He came. The Book of Hebrews gives us good guidance of how to understand the fulfilment of this vision. Hebrews 7 & 8 have more.
SJA Notes
* Dear God, please open our hearts to Your word today.
“You shall have just balances, a just ephah, and a just bath.”
(ephah and bath were units of measurement)
God’s people then as now are called to act justly.
In Deuteronomy chapter 16 we read,
“Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”
In Leviticus chapter 19 we read,
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly.”
God shows no partiality (He is the definition, the prime example, the absolute of an incorruptible nature).
How can we be like God in this?
Paul gives us one helpful mechanic in Philippians chapter 2, where we read,
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”
Other-centeredness is a big important thing! For us an individuals, and outwards in the various groupings we make up (all the way up to nations, where you see a strong correlation between corruption and selfish ambition and vain conceit).
How do we protect ourselves from perverting justice or showing partiality?
Let us look to the interests of others.
* God Above,
Thank You for Your word, that every part of it is worthy of our time, every piece has value for us throughout each day, for all our lives.
Thank You for Jesus, Your word become flesh!
Amen.