Justice (9) - Lack of Justice
The prophets of the Old Testament were often concerned about the lack of justice in Israel. They were not complaining about inequality of incomes, they were upset about the break down of correct judicial processes. Many victims of injustice were unable to obtain justice.
Understanding the nature of the judicial process helps us to understand the reasons for lack of justice. There can be four reasons why people might be unable to obtain justice:
Inadequate judges are a common cause of lack of justice. The example of Solomon shows that judges need wisdom. If judges lack wisdom then they will often make bad judges. The situation becomes even worse if judge are dishonest or corrupt. When judges choose made bad decisions the poor and the weak will be unable to obtain justice, because the judges will frequently ignore the facts and decide in favour of those with money and power.
Jeremiah laments a situation where the judges just look after their own interests.Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth. Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor (Jer 51:27,28).
Zephaniah describes a situation where judges are like wolves.Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; Her judges are evening wolves That leave not a bone till morning (Zeph 3:3).
This is still the situations in many parts of the world. Judges look after their mates among the rich and powerful. The poor and weak do not have a chance. God hates this failure of justice.These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD (Zech 8:16).
2 comments:
Hab 2:9 Woe to him who builds His realm by unjust gain.
can you comment on what this might mean.
For example I have a friend who desprately wants to get into the housing market for the capital gains and tax advantage. He has $10k saved and lives on the farm for minimal rent. But I feel that it is unjust to invest this way because you "buy" the house then turn to some other more desprate and destitute than yourself to let the place to and pay for the mortagage with the rent. This is exploiting the poor. Interested in your view of this.
Haydn
Interesting question. The Hebrew translated justice in this verse is not the usual word for justice, but "batsa" which means plunder or covet. The NKJV says,"Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of disaster". This is probably a more accurate translation.
If the person who rents the house freely agrees to rent it at the specified rent, I do not think that you can call this an injustice. Nothing has been stolen from him against his well.
On the other hand, I cannot assess your friends motivation. If he is motivated by greed or covetousness that is a sin.
I am do not know what God is telling him to do with his money. Maybe he is telling him to show mercy to the poor. I cannot judge him on that one.
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