Doctrine of Justice

Justice— “God’s faithful administration of his kingdom in accordance with his law; his official righteousness and requirement that humans adhere to the standards he has set. “

“In humans, justice is the concern that each person receive that which is rightfully his or hers.” —Millard Erickson, The Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology, pg. 108

Look at the comparison...

God’s directives and what He demands.

Human’s getting what is “rightfully theirs”.

In these two variations, both cannot be correct.

Either justice is God’s standard upheld or men get what we believe is “rightfully ours.”

So let’s begin to look at what God’s Word says about justice:

Amos 5:18–24 ESV

18 Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light, 19 as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him, or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall, and a serpent bit him. 20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it? 21 “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. 23 Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. 24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

There Are No Birth Exemptions.

Israel was not exempt by birth

We are not exempt by birth

Amos 5:1–2 ESV

1 Hear this word that I take up over you in lamentation, O house of Israel: 2 “Fallen, no more to rise, is the virgin Israel; forsaken on her land, with none to raise her up.”

Justice does not look at birth, but at God’s standard and covenant.

Amos 5:18–19 (ESV)

18 Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light,

19 as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him, or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall, and a serpent bit him.

Two reasons Israel desired the Day of Yahweh:

vindication

reparation

Neither of these were God’s intention...

Amos 5:20 ESV

20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?

Sometimes people want someone else to feel the wrath of God.

This desire is not of God, but of man.

God’s desire is for man to follow Him.

The day of the Lord is not something to long for in reference to other image bearers.

Worship is Meant for God’s Glory.

Why would God ever reject worship?

If God demands worship & rejects, does that make Him unjust?

Amos 5:21–22 ESV

21 “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them.

Why? Why did God Have Amos Record Such Words?

Amos 5:10–12 (ESV)

10 They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth.

11 Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine.

12 For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate.

They hate truth

They hate correction

They abuse the poor

They hurt the righteous.

And these are supposed to be the people of God.

So he continues

Amos 5:22–23 ESV

22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. 23 Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen.

Multiple offerings meant nothing

Songs went unheard

Psalm 66:18 ESV

18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

God Desires Justice

Amos 5:24 ESV

24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

He will bring justice:

Sometimes Now

Eternally

Amos 5:25–27 ESV

25 “Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 26 You shall take up Sikkuth your king, and Kiyyun your star-god—your images that you made for yourselves, 27 and I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts.

Walking Away, But In...

His statutes are for our good.

His statutes are for His Glory.