JUSTICE WITH COURAGE

“Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the LORD be on you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” —2 Chronicles 19:6, 7

After his misguided venture with Ahab, Jehoshaphat was chastised by the prophet, Jehu, on his return to Jerusalem. He accepted the criticism and recommitted his efforts, traveling throughout his kingdom to encourage the people to turn back to God (see 2 Chronicles 19:4). As well as his leadership and innovations in growing the faith and spirituality of the nation of Judah, Jehoshaphat also reformed its legal system and appointed judges in every city, with a charge to serve fairly and in harmony with the principles God had given them. “In his careful safeguarding of the rights and liberties of his subjects, Jehoshaphat emphasized the consideration that every member of the human family receives from the God of justice, who rules over all. . . . And those who are appointed to act as judges under Him, are to ‘defend the poor and fatherless;’ they are to ‘do justice to the afflicted and needy,’ and ‘rid them out of the hand of the wicked.’ ”* As with Moses’ appointment of judges in the book of Deuteronomy, taking on the task of administering justice in Jehoshaphat’s Judah required both discernment and courage. It was not enough to know what was right. Judges needed courage to deliver just judgments and to ensure they were acted upon. As Jehoshaphat charged the members of his newly appointed judiciary: “Act with courage, and may the LORD be with those who do well” (2 Chronicles 19:11).

* Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press®, 1917), 198, quoting Psalm 82:1, 3, 4.