The Good Judge - Leviticus 24:17-22

Introduction

Being the eldest of six kids, I can remember times when I was growing up - where I would stand up and defend the position of justice in our family. I was the eldest, and so somehow I felt it my responsibility to maintain law and order, to make sure things were fair – all without any kind of bias of course.

So … I would see or observe some sort of family dispute … and I would make an appeal to the judge – Judge Gerald – my Dad. “So you know what - he did this and he did that – and in my humble opinion … I think he should be punished like this and he should be punished like that.” Now I don’t remember my opinion being valued very highly by the judge … and often my plea would just be dismissed with these words, “When you’re a Dad – then you can be a Dad”.

But I think what is true – is that many children had a strong sense of justice. A sense of what is right and what is wrong – and many times your kids will say, and perhaps you remember saying, “but that’s unfair”.

You know recently there’s been a movement in some countries towards a justice system called “restorative justice”. In this idea - the purpose is to restore the criminal – not necessarily to punish them. The criminals are not primarily wrongdoers who deserve to be punished, but broken people who need to be fixed. And as good as that sounds, the question can and should be asked – is that true justice – is that fair?

In Norway, there is currently a man in prison by the name of Breivik. He is a mass murderer who killed 77 people in 2011 in cold blood. Because of the lenient restorative justice system, he is serving a maximum sentence of 21-years … which when you do the maths is the equivalent of 100 days per murder. He serves this time in a 3-room cell with a TV, exercise room and leisurely activities including “cooking classes”.

Supporters of restorative justice point to the results … they say there is a reduction in the re-offending rate of criminals and overall, they claim there is a reduction in crime. But even if that is true, the real question is this; is that true justice? Did the 77 people who were murdered - get justice? Did their family members get compensation for the lives of their loved ones?

Because I think deep down, in all of us - we know that it’s wrong when evil goes unpunished. Even our children have a sense of fairness and justice.

This morning we’re going to go back in time … nearly 2500 years … and we’re going to consider the Law of Retribution. It’s known in history as the oldest civil law in the world. The Latin name for it is “Lex Talionis”. Variations of this law are found in many ancient cultures, including that of the Babylonians and Romans. And fundamentally the idea is this, “the punishment should fit the crime”. And until recent times, this law has been the basic building block for justice systems in the West.

This morning as we come to Leviticus 24, we are going to be introduced to the justice system of God for Israel. The justice system that he imposed on how the law courts in his land would operate. And although we can’t easily take this Old Testament Civil Law and simply place it in our context here in Australia … what we can do is look at the one who made these laws.

Because the Law Maker is the same both today, yesterday and forever more. And by looking at God – the law maker – we learn more about who he is and what he has done … and then we learn more about ourselves and how we are called to live in this world.

The goodness of the Lawgiver

Firstly, this morning we’re going to look at the goodness of the lawgiver.

But how is this law good? You know, I think on first read, it actually comes across a bit brutal, doesn’t it? Perhaps a bit old-fashioned? An eye for an eye – a tooth for a tooth – a life for life.

How can this be good?

Well, to illustrate, let’s take a quick look at Genesis 4. I didn’t think I’d be using “Ada” my new baby daughter's name in a sermon but here we are. Lamech is the great-grandson of Cain – the one who committed the first murder in history. Listen to what he says in vs 23,

“Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me.

If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”

Here we read about Lamech – boasting about vengeance. I have killed a man for wounding me. It wasn’t wound for wound or injury for injury … no it was death for wound. And then he takes what God said to Cain about being protected 7 times and he multiplies it 11 times over. If Cain is avenged 7 times, then I will be avenged 77 times. It wasn’t a life for a life, no it was a life for 77 lives.

Revenge is often not equal, is it? No revenge – takes the offense and adds to it! Think about mafia mobs, cartels or crime families – it’s never a life for a life is it? No it’s a life for five lives .. or ten lives. If you hurt someone in my family then I’ll kill your whole family.

Or perhaps for us today, it’s if you cut me off in traffic then I’ll tailgate you home for the rest of your trip. If you trip me up in soccer then I’m going to go studs up in the next challenge. If you gossip about me then I’ll ruin your entire reputation.

The point of this civil law is to limit the human desire for revenge. It sets a maximum limit on the punishment for a crime. It prevents vendettas and vengeance from spiraling out of control.

Placing the responsibility of dealing out justice with the law courts … it takes the heat out of the moment – and deals with the crime in a methodical and logical way.

And this law is good – because it protects the vulnerable and weak in society. Those who would otherwise be unable to seek their own justice.

This is a good law – because God is a good lawgiver.

I’m sure we’ve all seen or heard of countries without a justice system, without law and order, without a standard for how crimes are dealt with. Places where the rich and the powerful make their own rules. These are not good places to live, are they?

Do you remember Jesus quoting our text in Matthew 5? At first, it sounds like he’s contradicting this law, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

It sounds like a contradiction – doesn’t it? But Jesus never contradicts the law, does he? In fact, he says earlier in Matthew 5, that he did not come to abolish the law – but to fulfill it. Jesus is not speaking against Old Testament Law, but he’s speaking against the Pharisees interpretation of Old Testament Law.

Because the Pharisees had taken what God had given to the law courts and made it their own personal law. They were using this law to justify personal acts of revenge, and yet as we’ve seen already – this good law – was given by the good lawgiver – to prevent acts of revenge.

Let’s look at a couple of the examples Jesus gives:

Firstly- turn the other cheek. Do you notice how this is a slap to the right-cheek and not a blow with fists … actually Jesus is talking about a back-handed slap. Think about it – if most people are right-handed and you want to slap someone on the right cheek… how do you do it? Like that – with the back of the hand.

It's degrading and humiliating. It’s like you don’t even deserved to be hit properly. It’s quoted by an historian at the time that a slave would rather be thrashed with a whip than be slapped with the back of his master’s hand. And that’s what Jesus is talking about… he’s saying when you are dishonoured, when you are treated poorly, when your dignity is taken away … don’t retaliate. Don’t seek revenge.

Or when you are forced to go a mile go two miles. Here Jesus is referring to the Romans - who would literally force a citizen to carry belongings for them. Think about Simon of Cyrene. He was forced by the Romans to carry the cross. He was literally just conscripted from the side of the road… his liberty was taken away for a short time.. and Jesus is saying don’t do that begrudgingly – even go above and beyond what is asked of you.

Jesus isn’t prohibiting civil justice. He isn’t speaking against this law, or promoting a type of pacificism, or suggesting that Christians should just be doormats … but Jesus is saying that our attitude in human relationships should be one that is loving. It’s a radical behaviour that Jesus is calling from his followers – one that he himself demonstrates on the cross.

Jesus, the only innocent man to have ever lived… the one who truly had divine rights to defend himself and what does he say, “Father – forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”.

God instituted the Law of Retribution into the legal system of Israel as a good law – a law designed by God to limit revenge.

And Jesus does not remove the responsibility of the law or the courts to protect the weak and vulnerable in our society but rather he zooms in on the heart of his followers and he reinforces the same point that this law makes … don’t seek vengeance … don’t retaliate but do as I have done – respond in love.

The justice of the Lawmaker

Well first we’ve looked at the goodness of the lawgiver and secondly, we’ll consider the justice of the lawmaker.

I’m sure we can all think of times in history when the law courts have been either too harsh or too gentle in terms of justice. Think about the convicts that were supposedly sent to Australia for stealing a loaf of bread… perhaps a bit of an overreaction? Or consider times in history when the colour of your skin would determine the punishment that you got … again not exactly eye-for-eye justice is it? Even in our text, God says to treat the native and the foreigner the same.

God is setting the standard for punishment in Israel. It should fit the crime. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. And he does this because he is a just God – and he wants justice to exist among his people.

It's important to note that it’s unlikely this law was intended to be applied literally. If someone took an eye from someone else, it’s not that the eye of the criminal would literally be plucked out… No, what we see elsewhere in Israelite history, is that the punishment should be measured to the value of the crime. Most likely a payment of money, or land or freedom. The goal of the law was simple – x for x – y for y – the punishment should fit the crime.

Do you notice in our text, that there are two things that demand the ultimate penalty? Two things that are so inherently valuable to God – that he demands the death penalty for them.

We see in God’s value system – human life is more valuable than animal life. It’s not that animal life is unimportant – it’s simply not as important as the life of someone made in the very image of God. We live in a society that has a very low value for human life … and in many cases is more concerned about animal justice and cruelty. And don’t hear me wrong … we shouldn’t support animal cruelty – but what we see is the value system of God. A human life is inherently more valuable than an animal life. And when one person takes the life of another person … then God says that they deserve to forfeit their life.

Secondly, look at the value that God places on his name. This whole passage sits within the context of a blasphemer who’s cursed the Name of the Lord. We don’t know what he said or how he said it … but look at vs 16, “Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death”.

To an extent when you blaspheme someone’s name … you do so because you have no regard for the authority or reputation of that person. And when you blaspheme God’s name- you are directly challenging his authority. You are showing contempt for God himself.

And brothers and sisters, ultimately government and civil justice are the best they can be under God when they recognise the importance of these two things. The sanctity of human life and the recognition that God is the greater authority – the ultimate judge – the one who sits above everyone and holds everyone to account.

Look at how Paul describes the civil authorities in Romans 13 verse 3.

“For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong” … (and then in vs 4)“If you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”

Ultimately, in a law court – we don’t want pity but we want justice. We want evil to be punished. If a judge just let people off because they said sorry or because they regretted what they did or even just because he felt like it … he would not be a good judge because justice has not been done. A society without police, judges, prisons and punishments is one of chaos. God knew that and this is why he instituted these things.

I’m sure we can all think about those entertaining action movies, where the plot goes like this.

- The main character loses everything. Maybe his wife or child are brutally murdered.

- The main character then goes to the courts or the police and demands justice. But either he is ignored or blamed and for whatever nothing comes of it.

- And then comes the exciting bit, where the main character takes justice into his own hands. No matter the odds, no matter who he needs to come up again … he does what it takes to get justice for his family.

We know all too well don’t we – that the justice system gets it wrong. And more often than not and even increasingly so - they simply do not adhere to the standards or values we find in the Bible. Evil is declared good and good is declared evil. And nor does the Bible call Christians to blind obedience to the government … in fact, there are times the Bible calls Christians to civil disobedience … but in the case where the civil courts are unjust, even in the case where the judges and rulers get it wrong, even when evil goes unpunished … even in these cases – God says in Romans 12 vs 17.

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.” (And then in vs 18). “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”

Because brothers and sisters, even when our justice system fails – God’s justice system will not. Because although it may not look like it – we live under this law today. Yes, even now … right here in Australia “eye for eye justice” still exists. It might not be dished out fully and completely in our local law courts, but ultimately there is a law court where it will be. One day every human being will stand before the great just judge – the Lord God. And every single sin will be dealt with. What does Paul say in Romans 2, “God “will repay each person according to what they have done.””

Ultimately in God’s law court – the punishment will fit the crime.

Every injustice, every hurtful word, every gossiping tongue, every slander. Every time God’s name was taken in vain, every time a vulnerable person was taken advantage by the rich and powerful. Every abuse, every racial slur, every politician's lie, every murder.

On judgment day, the one who places leaders and governments around this world like puppets will deal with it all – and there will be perfect justice. The one who wrote these laws of justice from Leviticus 24 – will apply them perfectly in the Law Court of Heaven.

The mercy of the Lawkeeper.

So fa we’ve seen, the Goodness of the Lawgiver, the Justice of the Lawmaker and finally we’ll see the Mercy of the Lawkeeper.

You know it’s quite an embarrassing story really – and I’m a bit nervous to tell it. But around 15 years ago, I was driving along to the snow with a few of the boys. Well anyway I was stuck behind this car for a long time as we made our way up the single lane road up to the Snowy Mountains. I kept on looking for an opportunity to overtake … and then my finally my opportunity came. I put the pedal down and zoomed past him … and then my heart sank – as I look in the rearview mirror and see flashing red and blue lights. The police pull me over and inform me that I was over the limit by 30 kms. A week or so later I get a letter from Roads Authority stating that the punishment for being 30 kms over would be the loss of my license for three months.

A month or so later I find myself in the Liverpool Court House. I had appealed my case. There I am - put on the stand and I make my defence to the judge. I explain that I was overtaking, I explain that this is not a normal example of my driving. I tell him about my need to drive for work… I present some character references about the good citizen that I am. I even explain to him that I help out at a local ministry in Liverpool called SPENT. I came to the judge and I appealed for mercy. And thankfully for me – the judge was incredibly kind and reduced my sentence from 3 months to 1 week.

And at the time, I was so happy … but as I reflect on it now – I wonder is that justice? The law demands 3 months and I got 1 week.

I wonder if this is how we think about the Christian life too? We know God is good and we know he is merciful. And we think that God will be lenient to us. We’ll give him our excuses, we’ll give him our good deeds, we’ll call up our character witnesses – and God will simply let us go. No worries – don’t worry about it … it’s all good.

But brothers and sisters – that is not justice is it? God simply cannot be perfectly just and then let us go. The punishment must fit the crime. The wages must be paid. The debt must be dealt with. Every time we sin we build up a debt with God. We owe him every time we disobey his law. We commit cosmic treason every time we put ourselves first. We have a gigantic debt – it could not be paid back in a million years.

You know God would be perfectly just to leave us in our sin and to punish us eternally in hell. But God is rich in mercy, he is gracious and because of his great love and mercy he sent his one and only son. Because it’s at the cross where uncompromised justice and abounding mercy meet.

God’s justice remained perfect, holy and right – justice was absolutely carried out. But instead of landing on our backs, like we deserved, it landed on Jesus. He was punished for us. He paid our debt.

It’s at the cross where the requirements for God’s justice are paid – and it’s at the cross where God demonstrates his love for us.

1 Peter 2:24 is excellent for summarising what we’ve been looking at this morning. It says, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

When they hurled insults at him – he did not retaliate. When he suffered – he made no threats. Can you imagine, the creator being ridiculed by his creation? The one who made the laws against blasphemy being called a blasphemer? The king of kings being mocked with a crown of thorns? Jesus shows us exactly what it means to love our enemies. He shows us exactly what it means to turn the other cheek. He demonstrates for us exactly what it means to not retaliate.

But then look at the end of the verse, instead. Instead of retaliation, instead of seeking vengeance … “Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly”. To him who judges justly.

Jesus as he is going through the pain of the cross- is comforted by the fact that there is ultimate justice and an ultimate judge. The very act of nailing Jesus to the cross would be dealt with – it would be paid for - either by God on judgment day or by Jesus on that day.

Every single sin, every evil thought – every bitter word will receive a just punishment. The punishment will fit the crime. There will be life for life.

And there are only two ways that the debt can be paid for ... Either you will pay for it with your own life by suffering God’s justice for all eternity OR Jesus has paid it for you completely and fully at the cross with his life.

Has Jesus paid it for you?

Can you join in with the hymn writer and declare those marvellous words?

“My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin not in part but the whole, was nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! O my soul.”

Conclusion

We started this morning by looking at Restorative Justice. The idea that the crime doesn’t matter so much – as long as we focus on trying to restore the person to society.

But did you know this - God is in the business of restoring and redeeming broken sinners. But unlike Restorative Justice, God doesn’t restore sinners and ignore the sin. No, the only reason it’s possible to restore broken sinners like you and me is by dealing with the sin. And he dealt with it at the cross!!

You and I can be restored completely – redeemed fully – made right with God only because God’s perfect justice has been poured out on Jesus Christ.

- God established civil justice because good justice results in good society

- And yet when civil justice fails – and it does all the time, and when injustices and hurt and pain exist – and they do – then we find great peace by trusting in the ultimate judge. Because every injustice will be dealt with. There is no such thing as someone “getting away with it”.

- And because of this reality, because we have been forgiven such an incredible debt – then it becomes possible, even necessary to love our enemies. To love those who hurt us, those we disagree with, those we stand opposite to. We can love them because we are loved and we can choose to not retaliate … knowing that God has either dealt with it fully at the cross OR will deal with it completely on judgment day.

For those of us who are believers, the cross changes everything!

· If you struggle to deal with injustice in this world. Injustice in government, injustice in society, injustice to you personally, injustice to your family … then come to the Good Judge who judges justly.

· If you struggle to love others … then look at the cross where the Good Judge demonstrated his mercy and love by sending his one and only son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

· If you struggle to not retaliate … then look at the Lord Jesus Christ … who did not retaliate, but gave himself up for us.

Brothers and sisters, come to the Good, the Just and the Merciful Judge and find peace, forgiveness and love.

Amen.