Character of Judges (6)

Good judges will have good character. They will be impartial and honest. Moses challenged the judges that he recognised:

Judge fairly, whether the case is between brother Israelites or between one of them and an alien. Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it (Deut 1:16,17).

Justice must be totally impartial. Judges should decide on the merits of the case, ignoring the status of those making the claims. Foreigners and refugees should be able to obtain judgement without any bias.

Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly (Lev 19:15).

Judges must not favour people who are important. On the other hand, they must not favour the poor either. This is a temptation for judges in the modern world.