God created the world in justice, and expects that his creatures will deal fairly and justly with one another as a result. Sin brings injustice into the world, by disrupting the justice established by God at creation. As a result, human justice often falls short of God's standards.
God shows his concern for human justice
By commanding it
Isaiah 56:1; Micah 6:8 See also Exodus 23:1–9; Deuteronomy 24:17; Psalm 82:3; Proverbs 21:3; Hosea 12:6; Romans 13:7
This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is coming soon, and My righteousness will be revealed.
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
By commending its maintenance
Psalm 106:3 See also Genesis 20:5–6; 1 Kings 3:11–12, 1 Kings 3:28; Job 1:8; Psalm 37:37, Psalm 112:5
Blessed are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times.
By condemning its neglect
Malachi 3:5 See also Deuteronomy 27:19; Job 31:13–14; Isaiah 3:14, Isaiah 3:15, Isaiah 10:1; Jeremiah 7:5–8, Jeremiah 7:14 destruction follows ignored warnings; Ezekiel 22:29–31
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.
Justice in relationships within the family
Parents and children
Exodus 20:12 parallel Deuteronomy 5:16 See also Matthew 15:4; Ephesians 6:1–3; Colossians 3:20–21; 1 Timothy 3:4
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Brothers and sisters
Husband and wife
Malachi 2:14; 1 Corinthians 7:4–5; Colossians 3:18–19
Justice in the community
Proverbs 29:7; James 1:27 See also Job 29:16; Psalm 82:3; Proverbs 29:14, Proverbs 31:8–9; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:16
The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Justice in the business world
Colossians 4:1 See also Leviticus 19:35–36; Deuteronomy 25:15; Ephesians 6:9; James 5:1–4
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Justice in courts of law
Exodus 23:6–8 See also Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:16, Deuteronomy 16:18–20, Deuteronomy 17:6, Deuteronomy 25:1–3, Deuteronomy 27:25; 2 Chronicles 19:5–7; Proverbs 12:17PRO Proverbs 18:5, Proverbs 24:23–25, Proverbs 28:21 Proverbs 18:17; John 18:23; Acts 23:3
You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits. Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.
Justice in rulers and governments
Proverbs 8:15 See also 1 Kings 10:9; 1 Chronicles 18:14; Proverbs 16:12–13, Proverbs 29:26–27, Proverbs 31:8–9; Jeremiah 22:13–16 judgment against the son of King Josiah; Ezekiel 45:9; Romans 13:1–4; 1 Peter 2:13–14, 1 Peter 2:17
By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;
Justice in the community of faith
Amos 5:21–24; Luke 11:42 See also Isaiah 58:6–7; Hosea 6:6, Hosea 12:6; Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 6:1–8; James 2:1–4, James 2:12–13
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.
Justice in a believer's life
Micah 6:8 See also Proverbs 21:3; Philippians 4:8; Titus 2:12; 1 Peter 3:16
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.