Some dear young friends of ours recently had a new baby boy and named him Justice Malachi. On an instagram post the mom quoted Ps 37:28.
“The LORD loves Justice…”
Lovely, and true!
It’s a strong name isn’t it? Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament, you might say the last prophet before the 400 years of silence before the first advent of the King, the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, and His forerunner prophet, John the Baptist, and the New Testament of the Bible. Malachi in Hebrew means “Messenger,” or “Messenger of Yahweh.”
The name “Justice” is powerful and telling too, especially in our country, church, and day. Many people are confused about real justice, what it is, and just who is responsible for establishing or maintaining it.
If you are an agnostic or a secular humanist, who doesn’t believe God matters, then you are responsible for deciding the definition of justice and how to establish and maintain justice yourself. You’re acting as your own god. Or you will say that human government or consensus is responsible for this determination, definition, and execution.
If you are a Bible believing Christian, you will have a high view of God, and an experiential relationship with Him, and realize that He defines, establishes, and maintains justice from on high, just as He says in the Bible, and history demonstrates.
I think all humans have an innate understanding of what justice is, perhaps because we’re created in His image. But if you haven’t looked at the definition lately, with all the hubbub about social justice, maybe a definition is in order. Then let’s reflect on a few things the Bible says about justice.
jus·tice/noun (from Oxford Languages)
- just behavior or treatment.”a concern for justice, peace, and genuine respect for people”
- a judge or magistrate, in particular a judge of the Supreme Court of a country or state.
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“Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Ps 97:2
“The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.” Ps 11:4
“For the LORD loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.” Ps 37:28
“Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.” Deut 32:35
“for these are days of vengeance [of rendering full justice or satisfaction], so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.” Luke 21:22 AMP
“For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”” Heb 10:30
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
